(Tired but united in their religious purpose, the elderly couple were spotted in the streets of Mina deeply affected by the gravity of undertaking a long-held dream of Haj.)
Pilgrims braved chilly weather conditions yesterday busying themselves in prayers and contemplation in the tent city of Mina on the first day of the five-day journey of a lifetime.
The valley was reverberating with verses from the Holy Qur’an. Pilgrims from nearly 170 countries were in the city. The Haj will climax today on the Plains of Arafat where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave his last sermon more than 14 centuries ago.
Traffic from all around the Kingdom flowed smoothly into the city but there were huge queues at the entrance to Mina until late afternoon yesterday. Security forces checked every vehicle to keep pilgrims without permits away.
Thousands of police officers and reserved forces cleared the pedestrian pathway in Mina where thousands of pilgrims, including Saudis, were camping illegally. The officers started to clear the pathway at approximately 9 p.m. They formed a human block around the area to prevent pilgrims from camping in the place again.
The pilgrims were removed safely and peacefully from the pathway.
The police blamed Saudis for not following instructions, saying foreign pilgrims could be excused for not being aware of local laws, but not Saudis who are well aware of the dangers of squatting.
At the newly designed Jamrat Bridge, hundreds of security forces were successful in keeping the squatters away.
Security was noticeably higher this year, as authorities hope to prevent past calamities associated with overcrowding. Security forces have tightened measures on all entry points to the holy city to prevent pilgrims without valid permits from entering. At a press conference in Mina, Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, Interior Ministry spokesman, said security forces went into full action yesterday. He dismissed the possibility of sectarian violence that has spiraled out of control in Iraq spilling over into the Haj.
“There is no indication that pilgrims arrived for anything other than to perform Haj,” he said.
The center of activity as always was in and around the historic Masjid Al-Khaif. Pilgrims who came in early pitched their tents in the shadow of the mosque and immediately settled into reading verses from the Holy Qur’an.
“This is the command of our Prophet,” said one pilgrim. “I don’t know much about these rituals. I only know that the Prophet undertook a similar journey and I am doing this to express my love for my beloved Prophet.”
“Words can’t describe how I feel,” said Ismail Attiyeh, 45, from Syria, choking with emotion. “To see all these people from around the world responding to the call and speaking in one voice to our creator gives me unprecedented feelings.”
Elderly men and women were seen huddling in their tents. Passing pilgrims waved and smiled at them.
Considerable physical strength is demanded of pilgrims during Haj. Salamat Bhuiyan, a Bangladeshi performing the Haj for the first time, said: “From beginning to end, the rituals demand a great deal of strength and endurance. We can eat during the Haj, but many of us use the occasion to fast. The constant crush of hundreds of thousands of other pilgrims, each trying to perform the same rites at the same time in limited space and in hot weather compounds the stress and heightens the requirement for good physical conditions and mental toughness.”
For all pilgrims, the aim is always to seek the peace of Allah. “It teaches us that all of life is a spiritual quest,” said Sultan Abdullah from Pakistan.
Every pilgrim that Arab News spoke to talked about the cold weather. “This is unbearable. But then this is what Haj is all about,” said Abdullah Al-Qahtani from the Kingdom’s Northern Province. “We have to sacrifice. Haj is no picnic as some people think. It is an arduous journey.” He remembered the last Haj that he performed 11 years ago. “It was very tough during those days,” he said. “Mina and Makkah have changed for the better. There are many more facilities now.”
Doctors at the local hospitals reported an increased number of patients coming down with flu. “It is because of the weather. It is very cold,” said Dr. Muhammad Hai at a Ministry of Health dispensary in Mina. The spokesman of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Khaled Al-Mirghalani, said: “No serious infectious or communicable diseases have been detected so far.” Some pilgrims from South Asia were a little nervous because of their location. “We are on the edge of Muzdalifah. Yet where we are there are the old signs saying that this is where Mina ends. I don’t know what to think. This is a question that has been the cause of dispute in our camp. Some have gone deeper into Mina and want to pray there. Some pilgrims are asking if their Haj is being performed correctly or not. The Saudi government must remove the huge sign boards and erect new ones on the edge of extended Mina,” said Anwar Abdul Rahman from India.
“Praying in Masjid Al-Khaif has a special place in the performance of Haj, though it’s not a part of Haj rituals. But everyone wants to pray in it. And I feel myself fortunate enough to get a chance to see this majestic mosque and pray inside it,” said Abdur Rehman Abdul Wahab, a Kuwaiti.
“Haj is never tiring but always rewarding. Whoever performs it becomes as pure and innocent as a newborn child. This is Allah’s way of showering His choicest blessings on the believers,” said Saleh Al-Sheikh, a Syrian.
“I’m here to answer the call of Allah and pray for the peace and tranquility in my motherland. Those planning to harm us should never succeed in their mission. I also prayed for the unity of the Muslim Ummah, which is the need of the hour, said,” Iranian pilgrim Haider Ali Najafi.
The number of foreign pilgrims participating in this year’s Haj has reached a record 1,654,407, according to Interior Minister Prince Naif. Of them, 1,500,519 came by air, 129,903 by land and 23,985 by sea and they came from 187 countries, the Saudi Press Agency quoted the minister as saying.
Last night pilgrims had successfully completed the rites for the Yaum Al-Tarwiya, the first day of the Haj at Mina. No emergency case of accident was reported. All arrangements for the journey to Arafat are in place and i believe they have no begun heading for Arafat .
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam stayed in Madinah for ten years, offering sacrifice every year, but did not perform Hajj. In Dhul-Qadah, 10 A.H., he announced his intention to perform for Hajj, and publicly announced this calling from Allah Ta’ala to visit His House, and thus leaving the legacy of how the Hajj is to be enacted. Thus, when the people living around Madinah, and throughout the land, knew about this, they joined in with the throngs, whether riding or walking. Scholars vary on the numbers, some citing 30,000, up to in excess of 100,000, and Allah Almighty knows best. All of them were eager to imitate Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and follow his example, and to be part of the only Hajj performed by our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam appointed Abu Dujanah Sammak Ibn Kharshah Al-Saidi RadhiAllahu anhu as the ruler of Madinah. It is said that the appointed ruler was SabbaIbnArfatah RadhiAllahu anhu. Allah Ta’ala, Exalted and Almighty, knows best.
Having performed the Noon Prayer, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam delivered a sermon in which he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam taught people the rituals they were to perform. Then he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam called for his she-camel and marked it on the right side of its hump, removed the blood from it and tied two sandals around its neck; and the rest of the she-camels were then marked and two sandals tied around their necks by other people. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam put his she-camel in the charge of Najiah Ibn Jundub Al-Aslami RadhiAllahu anhu. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam bathed, applied perfume, put on a gown and wrapper and said: "O Allah, A Hajj free of hypocrisy and showing off.”
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam left Madinah, with his nine wives accompanying him SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, on Saturday, the 25th of Dhul-Qadah on Al- Shajjarah [The Tree] route, which he used to take. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam prayed in the mosque therein.<br /><br />Dhul-Hulaifah <br /><br />Saturday 26-11-10 A.H. 22-2-632A.C. <br /><br />Dhul-Hulaifah is five kilometers from Madinah. It is located inAqiq Valley. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam arrived at Dhul-Hulaifah in the afternoon, and there he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam performed the Afternoon prayer in its shortened form. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam made a stop under an acacia tree at the site of the mosque at Dhul-Hulaifah on the right side of the road. Then he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam performed both the Sunset and Night prayers. After bathing and being perfumed by A’ishah RadhiAllahu anha, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam paid a visit to his wives and spent the night at Dhul-Hulaifah. After performing the Morning prayer, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to his Companions: "Tonight a messenger came to me from my Lord and said, ‘Perform prayer in this blessed valley and say: (I have intended to perform)Umrah together with Hajj.’" The command to perform prayer in Al-Aqiq Valley is actually a command to stay in Dhul- Hulaifah until performing the Noon prayer and embarking on Ihram. <br /><br />When the traveling party reached Dhul-Hulaifah, Asma’ BintUmais, wife of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq RadhiAllahu anha, gave birth to a son, Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr. She sent a message to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam asking him, "What should I do?" Thereupon he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "Take a bath, bandage your private parts and put on Ihram."
Sunday 27-11-10 A.H. 23-2-632 A.C.
Upon performing the Noon Prayer the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam entered in the state of Ihram. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam took a bath different from that of the previous day. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam washed his head with hollyhock and potash. Then, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam put a little oil on his hair and rubbed his head up and down with his fingers. Aishah RadhiAllahu anha applied so much musk to his body and head that the glisten of musk could be seen in the partings of his hair.<br /><br />A man asked him, "What clothes must a Muhrim wear?" He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam replied, "Do not wear shirts, turbans, trousers, hooded cloaks or leather stockings except scuffs beneath one’s heels." <br /><br />The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam entered Dhul-Hulaifah Mosque where he performed four rakahs. Afterwards, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam pronounced Talbiyah inside the mosque. Meanwhile, the people inside the mosque heard him and said, "He pronounced Talbiyah in the mosque." He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam did the same when he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam mounted his camel. Therefore, those who were outside the mosque said, "He pronounced Talbiyah when his she-camel stood erect with him on its back." When he went out to a plain land, he pronounced Talbiyah. Hence those at the plain land heard him and said, "He pronounced Talbiyah at the plain land." Thus they all told the truth.
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam pronounced Talbiyah for Hajj and Umrah at the same time. In another occasion, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam pronounced a separate Talbiyah forUmrah and another for Hajj, since Umrah is a part of it. Hence, it is said that he intended to combine Hajj and ‘Umrah (Qiran Hajj). It is also said that he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam intended to combine Hajj and ‘Umrah with a break in between (Tamattu Hajj). Other scholars say that he intended to perform Hajj alone (Ifrad Hajj). The soundest viewpoint is that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam intended at first to perform Hajj only. Then he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam put on Ihram for ‘Umrah and combined it with Hajj.
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam proclaimed Talbiyah thus:"
O my Lord!
Here I am at Your service.
Here I am.
There is no partner with You.
Here I am.
Truly, all praise and grace are Yours and so are the dominion and sovereignty too. There is no partner with You."
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam raised his voice in Talbiyah until it was heard by his Companions RadhiAllahu anhum who repeated it after him SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam also pronounced Talbiyah thus:
"O Allah! Here I am at Your service,
I respond to Your call.
Here I am at Your service.
Grace, good fortune and happiness are from You, and the whole of goodness is in Your Hand.
Here I am at Your service.
Unto You is the petition and hope.
Reward for deeds is from You.".
Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: "Gabriel came to me and said, ‘O Muhammad! Tell your Companions to raise their voices in Talbiyah, for it is the slogan of Hajj’."
Al-Rauha’
Monday 28-11-10 A.H. 24-2-632 A.C.
Al-Rauha’ is about fifty kilometers from Dhul-Hulaifah. In view of the fact that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam left Madinah on Saturday after the Noon Prayer, he, undoubtedly, spent Monday night in some place between Dhul-Hulaifah and Fajj Al-Rauha’. In the morning, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam proceeded while pronouncing the aforementioned Talbiyah.
In Al-Rauha’ he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam saw a slain zebra and said to his Companions, "Keep away from it; its hunter is about to come." Its hunter, a man from the tribe of Bahz, came to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and said, "O Apostle of Allah! This zebra is at your disposal." Thereupon, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam commanded Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu to divide it among the comrades.
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam performed Prayer in a small mosque, located in front of the great Mosque of Al-Rauha’, on the right side of the Yemeni route leading to Makkah.
Al-Arj<br /><br />Tuesday 29-11-10 A.H. 25-2-632 A.C. <br /><br />Al-Arj is a place near Badr where the great Battle of Badr took place. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam stopped at Al-Arj near Al-Uthaiah where he spent Tuesday night. <br /><br />The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu had only one camel carrying their food and belongings. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu charged a boy to take care of it. While stopped over at Al-Arj, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam sat down and on one of his sides sat Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu and A’ishah and Asma’ Bint Abi Bakr on the other side. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu waited for the boy to appear. At last, he appeared but without the camel. Thereupon, Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu asked, "Where is the camel you are charged with?" "It got lost yesterday." answered the boy. In a rage, Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu exclaimed, "Can you not take care of only one camel?" and he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam began to lash the boy. Meanwhile, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said while smiling, "Look at what this man in the state of Ihram is doing." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said no more than this, all the while smiling. <br /><br />When the family of Fadalah Al-Aslami RadhiAllahu anhum knew about the loss of the camel carrying the belongings of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam they immediately brought a bowl of pottage for him. Thereupon, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam cried, "Come hither! Abu Bakr; Allah has brought us better food." Seeing that Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu was still furious at the boy, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to him, "O Abu Bakr! Don’t worry! The matter is neither at your or our disposal. The boy was careful not to lose the camel and, moreover, here is a recompense for what he had lost." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then ate together with his family and Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu and his family until they all were full. <br /><br />Safwan Ibn Al-Muttal came surrounded by people and driving the camel carrying the provisions. He knelt the camel down before the door of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu, "Are these your belongings?" Nothing is missing," replied Abu Bakr, "but a wooden bowl." The boy said, "That bowl is with me." Abu Bakr said to Safwan, "May Allah pay for you whatever is held in your trust."
Sad IbnUbadah RadhiAllahu anhu and his son, Qais RadhiAllahu anhu, came with a camel carrying food and went to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. They found him standing at the door of his house, after Allah Ta’ala, had brought his camel back. Sad RadhiAllahu anhu said, "O Apostle of Allah, we have heard that you lost your camel early this morning. Here is a camel loaded with food in recompense for the lost one." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "May Allah bless you both! Take your camel back, for Allah has brought ours back."<br /><br />Al-Abwa’<br /><br />Wednesday 30-11-10 A.H. 26-2-632 A.C. <br /><br />The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam set out until he reached Al-Abwa’ where Al-Sab Ibn Juthamah gave him a zebra as a present. In another narration, he gave him half of a zebra. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam rejected it, saying, "We reject it only because we are in the state of Ihram." On Wednesday, the traveling party continued the march to Usafan Valley in Makkah. <br /><br />Usafan
Friday 2-12-10 A.H. 28-2-632 A.C.
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam spent Wednesday night at a place between Al-Abwa’ and Usafan. On Thursday, he continued his journey and also spent Friday night in travel. By Friday, he had reached the Valley ofUsafan. Passing by Usafan, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam asked, "What valley is it, Abu Bakr?" "Usafan," answered Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "This valley was passed through by Salih and Hud riding two young camels whose bridles were made of flax fibres. Their [the prophets’] wrappers were cloaks and their gowns were of striped wool, pronouncing Talbiyah and performing Hajj to the Ancient House
Sarif
Saturday 3-12-10 A.H. 29-2-632 A.C.
When he was in Sarif, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to his Companions, "Whoever has no sacrificial animal and desires to make it Umrah, may do so. But whoever has a sacrificial animal may not (he must keep on his state of Ihram)." This command is called "Hajj Conversion" by jurists. Fourteen Companions, narrated the command to convert Hajj intoUmrah after the Prophet in authentic hadiths.
Dhi-Tuwa
Saturday 3-12-10 A.H. 1-3-632 A.C.
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam continued the march until he stopped over at Dhi Tuwa, which was known in the past as Abar Al-Zahir [Al-Zahir Wells] where he spent Sunday night and performed the Morning Prayer. Thereafter, he took a bath and set out for Makkah.
Makkah
Sunday 4-12-10 A.H. 1-3-632 A.C
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam set off for Makkah, and entered it by way of the upper hill overlooking Al-Hajjun. Then, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam proceeded until he entered Makkah before noon. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam finally reached the door of the Sacred Mosque where he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam knelt his she-camel and entered through Abd Manaf Gate which people call Banu Shaibah Gate. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam looked at the House [Kabah], turned his face towards it, raised his hands and said:
"O Allah! You are the source of peace. From You comes peace. O Allah! Greet us with peace. O Allah! Endow this House with more honor, dignity and respect, and grant all those who come to it for Hajj or Umrah honor, dignity, respect and piety." Upon entering Makkah, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went directly to the House without performing two rakahs as a salutation to the mosque, for the salutation to the Sacred Mosque is, in fact, to perform Tawaf.
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam began Tawaf by touching the Black Stone without shoving others there, and his eyes began to flow with tears. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam placed his gown over his right shoulder while leaving the other uncovered. After making four rounds, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam kissed the Stone, put his hands on it, then kissed his hands and rubbed them over his face. In this Tawaf, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam jogged from and to the Black Stone three times. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam walked fast taking short steps.
Every time he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam passed the Black Stone, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would touch it with a stick and then kiss the stick. Upon touching it, he would say: "In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest”.
Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would say: "Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and defend us from the torment of the Fire."
Having finished his Circumambulation, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went to the Station of Ibrahim near the Kabah and said: <br /><br />"And adopt the Station of Ibrahim as a place of Prayer." <br /><br />He stood at a place where the Station was between him and the House and performed two rak’ahs. In the first he recited Al-Fatihah then Surah Al-Kafirun, and in the second rak’ah he recited Al-Fatihah followed by Surah Al-Ikhlas. Concluding his Prayer, he returned to the Black Stone and kissed it. Then he went out through the Banu Makhzum Gate, which is against Al-Safa Hill, to start Sai.
When he approached Al-Safa he recited: "Behold! Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the seasons or at other times should compass them round, it is no sin on them. And if any one obeys his own impulse to good be sure that Allah is He Who recognizes and knows." He said, "I begin with what Allah began." He ascended Al-Safa until he saw the House. Facing the Qiblah said, "There is no god but Allah. Allah is the Greatest."
He also said, "There is no god but Allah alone, Who fulfilled his promise, helped His servant and alone defeated the Confederates." In his Sai the Prophet said, "Al-Abtah can be crossed only through strain." He said so just to urge people to keep up a fast pace. People were in front of him and he was to their rear pacing so fast that his knees could be seen. Jogging at the bottom of the valley, he said, "O Allah! Grant us pardon and mercy; You are the Mighty, the Glorious." The people crowded around him saying, "This is Muhammad." Even young girls came out of their houses to see him. So, the site became overcrowded with people, and the Prophet mounted his camel. People were not beaten away before the Prophet (to clear a space for him). He mounted his she-camel, Al-Qaswa’, and went on performing his Sai.
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was seen uncovering one shoulder and wrapping the other with a Najrani garb during Sai between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. It is narrated that upon reaching Al-Marwah, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam turned his face towards the House and said, "Allah alone is the Greatest," and did as he had done on Al-Safa.<br /><br />The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam gave his Companions the choice to convert their intention from Hajj toUmrah. Upon completing his Sai, he commanded his Companions to remove their Ihram; that they may have intercourse with their wives, apply perfume, wear sewn clothes and remain in this state until the day of Al-Tarwiah (the 8th of Dhul- Hijjah). The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam did not remove his Ihram because he had brought a sacrificial animal with him from Madinah. Thus, everyone removed Ihram except the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and those having sacrificial animals; and among them were Abu Bakr,Umar, Talhah and Al-Zubair, Allah may be pleased with them all.
Ali RadhiAllahu anhu had put on Ihram while he was in Yemen saying, "O Allah! I put on Ihram for the same purpose your Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam has put it on”. Abu Musa RadhiAllahu anhu was one of those who came with Ali RadhiAllahu anhu from Yemen, but he drove no sacrificial animal. Thereupon, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam commanded him to remove the Ihram after he had circumambulated and jogged between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. So he converted his Ihram for Hajj intoUmrah and therefore continued on Hajj to Umrah.<br /><br />It reached to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam that some people were saying, "We have proceeded intending to perform Hajj only. When we came to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, he commanded us to make itUmrah, and to have intercourse with our wives. We reached Mina in a state as if we had just had intercourse”. Having finished his Sai, Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam stood among the people and said, "I have learned that some people say so and so. By Allah, I am more righteous and God-fearing than they. If I were to know what this matter of mine would come to, I would not have brought sacrificial animals with me. (In another narration: O people! If I were . . .) whoever, among you, has no sacrificial animal should remove Ihram for Hajj and make Ihram forUmrah." So people at large removed their Ihram.
While he was at the bottom of the valley, Suraqah Ibn Malik Ibn Jatham RadhiAllahu anhu said, "O Apostle of Allah, is it (this conversion of Hajj into ’Umrah) meant only for this year or is it forever? The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam intertwined his fingers and said, "It is forever, forever, forever." "Umrah," he added, "has been joined with Hajj until the Day of Judgment."
Jabir Ibn Abdullah RadhiAllahu anhu reported, "We accompanied the Apostle of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam on the fifth day of Dhul-Hijjah. We were in the state of Ihram for Hajj; but he commanded us to make itUmrah. This (removal of Ihram for Hajj) was so hard for us to bear. When this attitude of ours came to the Prophet’s knowledge, he said, ‘O people! Remove your Ihram. Had not I had a sacrificial animal, I would have done what you did. ‘We did so and went to our wives for intercourse as one not in the state of Ihram might do”. On the day of Al-Tarwiah, we went outside Makkah and proclaimed Talbiyah for Hajj.
To be continued, Insha’Allah, then Labbaik. Ameen.
