19 News Letters Main Febuary 03

Al-Huda

the Message Continues ... i/19

S p e c i a l Issue of H a j j

Article   1    HAJJ IN QUR'AN ( Sura  Baqra, Ayas 124 to 203 )
                         English translation by Shaikh Muhammad Sarwar (he lives in Long Idland, New York)

" When his Lord tested Abraham's faith, (by His words) and he satisfied the test, He said, "I am appointing you as the leader of mankind." Abraham asked, "Will this leadership also continue through my descendants?" The Lord replied, "The unjust do not have the right to exercise My authority." (2:124)

Article 2    LESSONS FROM HAJJ

                        "All Muslims Are Brothers, All Muslims Are Equal" by Benny Ohorella, BANDUNG, Indonesia

When our beloved Messenger received the last revelation during his last hajj, he gave his last sermon.  One of the important points in his last sermon is Muslim brotherhood and equality among Muslims. So, Hajj is not only a ritual obligation, but it also a time to remember our beloved Messenger's last sermon.  His last sermon before he left us for a long time until the judgment day.

Article 3    The Journey of a Lifetime - courtesy: Islamicity.com

In less than a month, more than three million Muslims will gather in Makkah to perform one of the most important events of their lifetime. The Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam brings together the greatest gathering of mankind. This pilgrimage to the House of Allah brings every human soul to the apogee of faith.

Article 4    Hajj: Tips and Reflections - by Jarir N Dirini

This is the most important and dramatic event in a Muslim's life. Accordingly, you must prepare yourself for this holy journey. I would like to share with you few tips that might help ease some of the difficulties that you might encounter.

Article 5    The Kaaba - Moulana A Kathrada in Durban (1995

The Qur'an commands the Muslims to face the sacred precincts in Makkah during prayer which is a fundamental tenet in Islam. The legend of this purely Islamic development of a sacred stone structure dates back to the fall of Hadhrat Adam (alayhis salaam) from Paradise onto earth at Makkah. It has been reported by Al-tabari that Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) flapped his wings to uncover a foundation laid in the seventh fold of the earth.

Article 6    Reflections on Tawaf by A. Mohammad Saleem

In just about a month, we will be entering the time of Hajj. The time of Hajj is not only a powerful experience for the pilgrims who have the opportunity to go, but a powerful reminder for those of us who cannot. So inshallah, in this khutbah, and in the next two khutbahs as well, we can remind ourselves of some of the lessons of Hajj. The lessons of Hajj are infinite; they remind us of the essentials of our deen and the purpose of our lives in this world.

Article 7      Hajj: The Journey of Hearts by Muhammad Alshareef

Arafah * 10 Years After Hijrah, The man was standing with Rasul Allah ( sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam ) when he
was thrown from his camel. The camel stomped and the man's neck was snapped. Dead. "Bathe his body with water and Sidr and bury him with both garments," said Allah's Messenger. "Do not cover his head, nor touch him with Camphor ... for verily he will be returned (to Allah) on the day of resurrection in the state of Talbiyah! (Labbayk Allahaahumma labbayk)"

Article 8    Glossary and Manasik of Hajj From the Book: Manasik of Hajj in Brief
                        Author: Ayatollah al-'Uzma Sayyid Ali Khamene'i

Article 9    The Old Man and the Physician

                    & Ka'aba, the house of the Beloved !. by Rumi Masnavi Rumi Book iv

An old man complained to his physician that he suffered from headache. The physician replied, "That is caused by old age." The old man next complained of a defect in his sight, and the physician again told him that his malady was due to old age. The old man went on to say that he suffered from pain in the back, from dyspepsia, from shortness of breath, from nervous debility, from inability to walk, and so on; and the physician replied that each of these ailments was likewise caused by old age.

Article 10   HAJJ from Ayatullah al-Hajj Husain Mazaheri's book on Hajj

The entire journey of Hajj is a spirituality excursion that covers three stages:
The First Stage: Cutting oft affinity from all things with the exception of Allah in order to reach to Allah.
The Second Stage: Continuing towards Allah and strengthening the alliance (with Him), until one reaches to Allah and (the true) essence of worship.
The Third Stage: Once a person has reached to the level of perfection and has arrived at the stage of (true) worship, he then returns (to the people) to guide the creations of Allah towards Him Imam Jafar Sadiq (a) has laid down a beautiful advice for the intending pilgrim to the House of God, as follows:

Article 11    Muslims in America:

                       by Dr. Robert Crane Advisor and Director, Center for Islamic Understanding

Separatist Confrontation vs Assimilation (PATTERNS OF THE PAST, CHOICES FOR THE FUTURE) (excerpt from: The Muslim Challenge in America and the World) I. Patterns of the Past: Rebellion or Assimilation
The two dominant patterns of Muslims in America during the twentieth century were separatist confrontation and assimilation. The first, which can give rise to extremist rebellion, was adopted as a strategy by African-American Muslims during the 1920's who saw no way out of their overwhelming problems. They used their religion to support their own alienation as an ethnic minority and to justify a rejections and combative stance against their image of America. This made them irrelevant to any process of constructive change.

Article 12    Fluctuation of Life : A Test for the Believers

                        By Saleem Hilaalee Bilal Mission, Tanzania.

A persons life in this world is not stable. One passes through alternating periods of happiness and dismay, strength and weakness, wealth and poverty, health and sickness etc. A true believer is one who maintains a clear level of Imaan throughout the worldly fluctuations. He continues to remember Allah and ascribe the bounties to Him; and he turns to Him in submission, asking for relief from his affliction.

This is described by the Messenger (saww) who said: "Indeed amazing are the affairs of a believer! They are all for his benefit; If he is granted ease of living he is thankful; and this is best for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres; and this is best for him."

Article 13 Hajj by Okasha Naqvi 12 yrs, NJ

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