Hajj; 3.5; Edexcel;

 

My Youtube address                     O levels Islamic Studies by Ahsan Naqvi

My blog address                             ahsan-naqvi.blogspot.com

Syllabus Board                                Edexcel Islamic Studies

Syllabus Component                     Section C; 3.5 Part D

Main Topic                                       Hajj

Sub-topic                                          Quran passage 2:197-199

 

Important note:

While you are watching this video, please keep the text of the translation in front of you

 

Translation

Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of Ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do – Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding. (197)

There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord [during Hajj]. But when you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at al-Mashar al-Haram. And remember Him, as he has guided you, for indeed, you were before that among those astray. (198)

Then depart from the place from where [all] the people depart and ask forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is forging and Merciful. (199)

Teachings

These three Ayaat of Sura al Baqarah teach us the manners and obligations of Hajj. These Ayaat were revealed a few months before the death of the Prophet. There were old traditions among Arabs and also among Quresh of Makkah which were corrected at this occasion.

Well-known months were the three months before Hajj including the month of Zilhajj in which hajj is performed. In Ayat 197, Allah says that those who decide to perform Hajj, they must come in the state of Ahram.

“pilgrimage there to is a duty man owe to Allah, those who can afford the journey”

(Ale imran 3:97)

When they are in Ahram, they must avoid three sins which may make their Hajj unacceptable to Allah. One is that they must avoid sexual relationship and any talks concerning sex are forbidden. Second, they should not commit acts which are forbidden. For example, cutting hair and nails, hunting, wearing perfumes and other restrictions. Third, they must avoid any conflicts, fights, anger or verbal abuses. Allah likes that pilgrims should fear Allah. In olden days, it was considered a sin to take food stuff or wealth during hajj but Allah clarifies that instead of begging people, it is better to keep expenditure of Hajj. The way the provisions of this world are necessary, in the same way the fear of Allah is the best provision for the next world.

Ayat 198 teaches us that if pilgrims do some business during Hajj, it is not a sin as it was considered previously. When the day of Arafat is over, the pilgrims should go to Muzdalifah or Mashar al-Haram. Remember Allah who removed so many unnecessary burdens which you had adopted yourself. This is the bounty of Allah.

Ayat 199 tells us that it was the practice of Quresh not to go to Arafat along with the common Arabs because they considered themselves superior to common Arabs. Allah gives strict instructions that there is no superior or inferior. Everyone is equal in the sight of Allah. Therefore Quresh must go to Arafat. However, whatever happened in the past is now forgiven by Allah because allah is forgiving and Merciful.