Riyadh, 12 Dec 07
Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh, General Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of Senior Ulema Commission and Religious Research Department, advised the pilgrims to avail themselves of the Hajj season to augment their loyal practices to Almighty Allah and increase whatever pleases Him and refrain from whatever outrages Him so that their Hajj turns to be a complete success.
In an address to all Muslims on the occasion of Hajj of this year, the General Mufti cited a number of verses from the holy Quran and sayings of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) explaining the holiness of Makkah and Kaaba (the house of God).
In both Makkah and Madinah, it is prohibited to kill any soul, cut any plant or hunt any animal, the Mufti said, citing Prophet Mohammed's instructions.
Then he explained the significance of prayers in the Makkah-based Grand Mosque and Madinah-based Prophet's Mosque. One prayer in the prophet's mosque equals 1,000 prayers outside, except in the Grand mosque, the Prophet was quoted as saying, and adding that a prayer in the grand mosque exceeds one in my mosque by 100 points.
The Mufti illustrated the sanctuary of Makkah as a direction for Muslims, dead or alive. Muslims turn to Makkah whenever they perform prayers from everywhere in the world or while calling or appealing for God to help them. Muslims also turn the heads of their dead towards the direction of Kaaba before burying them, the Mufti said.
The Mufti quoted the Prophet as telling his companions that Makkah was the loveliest land for him and that he swore that if he were not driven out of it by his then foes, he would never have left it.
Al Al-Sheikh explained that Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. Qualifying conditions for a Muslim to perform Hajj are being wise, adult, free and physically and financial able to do it. In addition, women should have legal companions with them, he said.
He stated that a pilgrim who plans to go to Hajj ought to repent to God so as to pave the way for forgiveness.
Dressing the Ihram (white untailored two-piece dress) from a certain point before entering the Hajj sacred area is the practical translation of this will and the start of the journey to Allah, the Mufti said. He then narrated the stations of the journey and its major developments to Makkah until heading back home. Tawaf Al-Godoom or greeting circumambulation around Kaaba is the beginning of the journey of worshipping. This is followed by a preparatory night stay in Mina before ascending to Arafat. This was named Al-Tarwiyah day after the Prophet's filling his tanks and bowels with water in preparation for a journey to the valley of Arafat. They assemble and shorten their Dhuhr (noon) and Asr (afternoon) prayers. On top, at and around Arafat mount, pilgrims should stay the day worshipping and appealing for forgiveness. This is the peak of Hajj which ends by sunset, when Muslims move back to Muzdalifah to stay the night. There, they perform the missed Maghrib (sunset) and late Isha (evening) prayers together. Isha prayers is shorted to half while Maghrib remains three bows. At dawn, they head back to Mina valley to stay the next two to three nights. As soon as they reach Mina, pilgrims throw the stones at the Great Devil with seven tiny stones they collected from Muzdalifah valley. Then they go downtown Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Ifadha, the major circumambulation before turning back to Mina to complete the two to three stay. The second day in Mina is the day to stone the three devils successively. The ritual is repeated the next day. If a pilgrim plans to end his stay in Mina due to personal circumstances at home, he ought to quit before sunset. Otherwise, he should stay the night there. The next day, he throws the devils for the third time and quits for Makkah. There, pilgrims perform Tawaf Al-Wada'a whenever they decide to leave, bidding the holy city farewell.
The Mufti quoted holy verses of Quran warning against committing acts that mar the security, safety and comfort of other pilgrims and the holy calm city.
Al Al-Sheikh said Almighty Allah has fortunately granted the rule of this sacred place to wise and good rulers who realize the greatness of Allah, his house and sanctuaries. The rulers of this land have put all the wealth and capabilities of this country under the disposal of the two holy Harams.
He pointed to the regulations and rules enacted by the leaders of this country to safeguard the general interest of pilgrims and enable them to perform their rituals in comfort and ease.
The Mufti urged all pilgrims for cooperation to comply with these regulations and make the Hajj a success.
He wished all pilgrims a good Hajj season and an acceptable one to Allah.
Also he wished the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques success in running the affairs of Hajj and thanked them on behalf of all pilgrims and their relatives and families at home for the strenuous efforts they exert, the developmental projects they implement and the unprecedented services they provide for pilgrims and Umrah (minor Hajj) performers.
Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh, General Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of Senior Ulema Commission and Religious Research Department, advised the pilgrims to avail themselves of the Hajj season to augment their loyal practices to Almighty Allah and increase whatever pleases Him and refrain from whatever outrages Him so that their Hajj turns to be a complete success.
In an address to all Muslims on the occasion of Hajj of this year, the General Mufti cited a number of verses from the holy Quran and sayings of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) explaining the holiness of Makkah and Kaaba (the house of God).
In both Makkah and Madinah, it is prohibited to kill any soul, cut any plant or hunt any animal, the Mufti said, citing Prophet Mohammed's instructions.
Then he explained the significance of prayers in the Makkah-based Grand Mosque and Madinah-based Prophet's Mosque. One prayer in the prophet's mosque equals 1,000 prayers outside, except in the Grand mosque, the Prophet was quoted as saying, and adding that a prayer in the grand mosque exceeds one in my mosque by 100 points.
The Mufti illustrated the sanctuary of Makkah as a direction for Muslims, dead or alive. Muslims turn to Makkah whenever they perform prayers from everywhere in the world or while calling or appealing for God to help them. Muslims also turn the heads of their dead towards the direction of Kaaba before burying them, the Mufti said.
The Mufti quoted the Prophet as telling his companions that Makkah was the loveliest land for him and that he swore that if he were not driven out of it by his then foes, he would never have left it.
Al Al-Sheikh explained that Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. Qualifying conditions for a Muslim to perform Hajj are being wise, adult, free and physically and financial able to do it. In addition, women should have legal companions with them, he said.
He stated that a pilgrim who plans to go to Hajj ought to repent to God so as to pave the way for forgiveness.
Dressing the Ihram (white untailored two-piece dress) from a certain point before entering the Hajj sacred area is the practical translation of this will and the start of the journey to Allah, the Mufti said. He then narrated the stations of the journey and its major developments to Makkah until heading back home. Tawaf Al-Godoom or greeting circumambulation around Kaaba is the beginning of the journey of worshipping. This is followed by a preparatory night stay in Mina before ascending to Arafat. This was named Al-Tarwiyah day after the Prophet's filling his tanks and bowels with water in preparation for a journey to the valley of Arafat. They assemble and shorten their Dhuhr (noon) and Asr (afternoon) prayers. On top, at and around Arafat mount, pilgrims should stay the day worshipping and appealing for forgiveness. This is the peak of Hajj which ends by sunset, when Muslims move back to Muzdalifah to stay the night. There, they perform the missed Maghrib (sunset) and late Isha (evening) prayers together. Isha prayers is shorted to half while Maghrib remains three bows. At dawn, they head back to Mina valley to stay the next two to three nights. As soon as they reach Mina, pilgrims throw the stones at the Great Devil with seven tiny stones they collected from Muzdalifah valley. Then they go downtown Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Ifadha, the major circumambulation before turning back to Mina to complete the two to three stay. The second day in Mina is the day to stone the three devils successively. The ritual is repeated the next day. If a pilgrim plans to end his stay in Mina due to personal circumstances at home, he ought to quit before sunset. Otherwise, he should stay the night there. The next day, he throws the devils for the third time and quits for Makkah. There, pilgrims perform Tawaf Al-Wada'a whenever they decide to leave, bidding the holy city farewell.
The Mufti quoted holy verses of Quran warning against committing acts that mar the security, safety and comfort of other pilgrims and the holy calm city.
Al Al-Sheikh said Almighty Allah has fortunately granted the rule of this sacred place to wise and good rulers who realize the greatness of Allah, his house and sanctuaries. The rulers of this land have put all the wealth and capabilities of this country under the disposal of the two holy Harams.
He pointed to the regulations and rules enacted by the leaders of this country to safeguard the general interest of pilgrims and enable them to perform their rituals in comfort and ease.
The Mufti urged all pilgrims for cooperation to comply with these regulations and make the Hajj a success.
He wished all pilgrims a good Hajj season and an acceptable one to Allah.
Also he wished the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques success in running the affairs of Hajj and thanked them on behalf of all pilgrims and their relatives and families at home for the strenuous efforts they exert, the developmental projects they implement and the unprecedented services they provide for pilgrims and Umrah (minor Hajj) performers.
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