For many of us we have very few well written narratives to inspire us. West Indian Readers had but not Islamic Literature. This is a fine endeavour by a Guyanese female Muslim to rewrite the Story of Abraham in order to inspire the young while quoting the Quran and analyzing the events historically. For me however, the Abrahamic Tradition is thematic and central to solving global issues of religious strife and nationalistic disputes. Have we ever thought that Abraham is well placed in all world religions and Islam celebrates his personality the most?
LOVE SACRIFICE OBEDIENCE The story of Hajj and Eid ul Adha
The prophet Ibrahim or Abraham, on whom be peace, o.w.b.p who is also known as the friend of Allah was gifted from childhood and grew up believing in one God. After much trial with the idol worshippers of his time, and after the death of the then leader, Nimrood, Ibrahim o.w.b.p and his wife Sarah migrated to Egypt...
In Egypt, it has been told that the ruler was attracted to the beauty of Sarah. When he tried to hold her, his arm became paralyzed. He asked Sarah to remove the bad spell she had put on his arm. She had prayed to Almighty Allah to protect her from the bad intentions of the king. He begged her to free him and promised that he would do her no harm. She asked Almighty Allah to help him but when the king was good again he tried to touch her twice more, and again and again he was made sick and paralyzed.
After the third time, the king gave up his bad intentions towards hazrat Sarah and gave her as a gift, a girl to serve her named Hajara or Hajar. Along with prophet Ibrahim o.w.b.p, they returned to Palestine.
Their Ibrahim o.w.b.p was blessed with land and many goats and he was prosperous. He prayed to Almighty Allah for a son. However it seems that Sarah could not have children so she suggested that her husband take Hajar as a wife.
“ So we gave him tidings of a gentle son” 37:101. A son was born to Hajar. He was named Ishmael. Prophet Ibrahim o. w .b. p, was very happy.
PARTING
While Ishmael was still a baby, the angel Jibraeel or Gabriel, brought the command from Almighty Allah that prophet Ibrahim o.w.b.p must take his wife Hajar and baby Ishmael and leave them in the desert and return home.
When Hajar realized that she would be left in the desolate place she asked prophet Ibrahim if it was the command of Allah. Ibrahim o.w.b.p though very sad prayed to Almighty Allah to take care of Hajar and Ishmael.
Hajar accepted the command of Allah and remained in the hot desert with no company but her son and Allah.
Very soon however the water and provisions were finished and little Ishmael was hungry and thirsty. Hajar walked up and down looking for water and something to eat. Nearby were the hills of Safa and Marwa. She ran from one to the next seven times hoping for something or some sign.
Meanwhile little Ishmael lies on the hot sand striking his heels up and down. Almighty Allah caused a spring of water to gush forth. Hajar dug a basin in the sand with her hands so that the water could collect and there was formed the well of Zam Zam, which flowed then, and flows to this day.
Birds were attracted to the clear water and they started hovering over the place where Hajar and baby Ishmael lay.
By Allah’s will, the people of the Jurhum tribe who traded in Syria were enroute to Mecca. They saw the birds and knowing that water must be nearby they decided to investigate. They drove their caravans to the spot and found Hajar and baby Ishmael.
They asked permission to drink from the Zam Zam and decided to settle around the well. Hazrat Hajara agreed that they could use water from the well but it was to remain under her trusteeship. The traders brought their families and settled there in Mecca.
The angel Jibraiel (as) made all this known to prophet Ibrahim that his mind would be at ease about Hajar, and Ishmael. With the permission of Allah, Ibrahim was soon able to visit his son.
“ And when his son was old enough to walk with him, Ibrahim said,”Oh my son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you, so look, what do you think”. He said, Oh my father, do that which you are commanded. Allah willing you shall find me of the steadfast” 37:102
“Then when they had both surrendered to Allah and he had flung him down upon his face, we called to him, Oh Ibrahim! You have already fulfilled the vision. Lo! Thus do we reward the good” 37:103-105
So, after that great test of sacrificing (giving up) one thing he loved very much (his son) Almighty Allah made a ram to appear and that was killed instead of Ishmael. The meat of the ram was shared to the poor and needy. All this happened at Mina a place some 4km from Mecca.
Ishmael (as) grew up in Mecca. When he was fifteen his mother Hajar died and was buried near the place where the Black Stone is. On his visit that year prophet Ibrahim was very sad.
Then the command from Allah came for Ishmael and his father to build the house of Allah. This was told to Hajar before her death that her son and his father would build the Holy Kaaba, which would be the center of the holy pilgrimage.
“ And when Ibrahim and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House, Ibrahim prayed, Our Lord accept from us this duty, you only are the hearer, knower.” 2:127
Ishmael and Ibrahim o.w.b.p built the Holy Kaaba under the instructions of the angels from Allah. Ishmael fetched the stones and Ibrahim raised the walls. The place where Ibrahim stood while raising the walls was left with his footprint and is known
Today asMaqam e Ibrahim…. the station of Ibrahim’s footprint.
When the building was completed Almighty Allah taught prophet Ibrahim how to do the Hajj that he may show it to others.
“And proclaim unto Mankind the Pilgrimages. They will come on foot and on every lean camel. They will come from every deep ravine. 22:27
“And remember when we prepared for Ibrahim the place of the Holy House saying, ascribe nothing as partner unto me and purify my house for those who make the round and those who stand and those who bow and make prostration.22-26
“That they may witness things that are of benefit to them and mention the name of Allah on appointed days over the beast of cattle that he has bestowed upon them. Then eat and feed the poor, needy. 22:27-28
“Then let them make an end of their unkemptness and pay their vows and go around the ancient House.
“ That is the command….” 22:30
And it is again said to all of mankind,
“Perform the pilgrimage and the visit to Mecca for Allah” 2:196
Ishmael was appointed the trustee of the Holy Kaaba and Almighty Allah turned the hearts of the believers that they would start doing the Pilgrimage at the Holy Kaaba in Mecca.
This Hajj is also a pillar of Islam and should be done by every Muslim at least once in his lifetime as long as he has the means and good health.
THE HAJJ
The pilgrimage to Mecca and perform it the Holy Kaaba and the specified rituals involved constitute the Hajj. About 3-5 million Muslims perform it every year and this number keeps growing.
It is difficult to imagine that one gathering of worshippers in one place who assemble only for the pleasure of Allah and to get his Mercy and Blessings.
The Hajj is done in the month of ZilHijja, which is the twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar. This is also a month in which Muslims are advised not to initiate fighting.
The experiences of love and devotion and sacrifice of Sarah and Hajar and Ibrahim o.w.b.p and Ishmael o.w.b.p all form part of the Hajj performance.
From the 7th of ZilHijja the pilgrims assemble from around the world to visit the Holy Kaaba and to pray to and praise Almighty Allah and seek his forgiveness. Between the 7th and 13th of these pilgrims will surrender their souls to Almighty Allah begging and imploring for his Mercy and forgiveness.
T he Holy House first built by prophet Adam o.w.b.p and then rebuilt by prophets Ibrahim
And Ishmael at the same spot is the center of all this devotion. The place where Ibrahim stood to lay the bricks is called Maqam e Ibrahim and the pilgrims do two rakaats (units) of prayer at that place.
Then all the pilgrims drink from the well of Zam Zam that first flowed for baby Ishmael 5000 years ago.
To remember the sacrifice and courage of Hajar as she ran between mount Safa and mount Marwa, the pilgrims also do that journey between the two mountains seven times.
All the while repenting and praying the pilgrims also go to Mina, which is 5km from Mecca and the place where Ibrahim was asked to sacrifice Ishmael.
The 10th day of ZilHijja is known as the Day of Eid ul Adha around the world. At the Hajj it is an important day of activity. The pilgrims will also perform their required sacrifices. This reflects on the test Almighty Allah gave to Ibrahim and the tests that await all believers. The meat that is collected that day in Mina is sent all over the world in refrigerated ships, containers and planes to feed the poor and needy.
“That they may witness things that are benefit to them and mention the name of Allah on appointed days over the beast of cattle that he hath bestowed upon them. Then eat and feed the poor and needy “ 22-28
“ Their flesh and their blood reach not Allah but the devotion from you reacheth him.” 22:37
The pilgrims continue their praying and worshipping until the 13th of Zilhijja. The farewell tawaaf (round) of the Kaaba is done and the pilgrim leaves the holy city.
MORE OF THE STORY
After the Kaaba was completed and the rights of the Hajj explained, Ibrahim o.w.b.p prayed to Almighty Allah.” My Lord, make this a region of security and bestow upon its people fruits for such as them who believe in Allah and the last Day….” 2:126
And Almighty Allah was pleased with Ibrahim and Sarah. After years of patience Almighty Allah gave Ibrahim the news of the birth of a son from Sarah. “And we gave him tidings of the birth of Ishaq, a prophet of religion and we blessed him and Ishaq.” 37:112
Ishaq or Isaac was born to Sarah when she was 99 years old and Ibrahim o.w.b.p was 100 years old. And Ibrahim prayed…
“Praise be to Allah who has given me in my old age Ishmael and Ishaq. Lo, my Lord is indeed the hearer of prayer.”14:39
“And when his Lord said to him surrender! He said, I have surrendered to the Lord of the worlds”2:131
“And the same did Ibrahim enjoin upon his sons and also Jacob (his grandson) saying, oh my sons, lo Allah has chosen for you the true religion. Therefore die not save as men who have surrendered to Allah”2:132
And Ibrahim prayed to his Lord again,
“Our lord, raise up in our midst a messenger who shall recite unto them your revelations and shall instruct them in the scripture and in wisdom and shall make them grow. Lo. You only you are the mighty, the wise.”2:129
And so it was from the line of Ibrahim there was born the prophet for whom the world was created – the prophet Muhammad o.w.b.p .He was to continue the pilgrimage to Mecca and it was to him that the Holy Quran was revealed and on a Friday at Mount Arafat, Almighty Allah revealed the verse “ Today I have perfected for you your religion, bestowed my favors completely on you and chosen for you Islam as your religion” 5:53
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*For those who contend that Issac, on him be peace, was to be sacrificed and not Ishmael they themselves have betrayed their dogmatic argument when they claim that God said "take your only son" and "he got his first son Ishmael" from Hagar. First son means that 14 years before the arrival of Issac he was the only son. Ishmael was the only son until his brother Isac was born. I repeat for the need not to be dogmatic that The Bible records that Ishmael, on whom be peace, the Eldest Son was born when Abraham was 86 years old. Fourteen years later Isaac was born. (Gen. 16:16 and 21:5). Again I reiterate in case we did not read the argument level headedly that The Bible repeatedly records that the Command from God to Prophet Abraham,on whom be peace, was to sacrifice "thy only son". This particular phrase "thy only son" could only be used when Abraham had ONLY ONE SON. Was the first born son of Abraham (Ishmael) and his descendants included in Gods covenant and promise? A few verses from the Bible may help shed some light on this question; 1) Genesis 12:2-3 speaks of Gods promise to Abraham and his descendants before any child was born to him. 2) Genesis 17:4 reiterates Gods promise after the birth of Ishmael and before the birth of Isaac. 3) In Genesis, ch. 21. Isaac is specifically blessed but Ishmael was also specifically blessed and promised by God to become "a great nation" especially in Genesis 21-13, 18. 4) According to Deuteronomy 21:15-17 the traditional rights and privileges of the first born son are not to be affected by the social status of his mother (being a "free" woman such as Sarah, lsaacs mother, or a "Bondwoman" such as Hagar, Ishmaels mother). This is only consistent with the moral and humanitarian principles of all revealed faiths. 5) The full legitimacy of Ishmael as Abrahams son and "seed" and the full legitimacy of his mother, Hagar, as Abrahams wife are clearly stated in Genesis 21:13 and 16:3. After Jesus, on whom be peace, the last Israelite Messenger and Prophet, it was time that Gods promise to bless Ishmael and his descendants be fulfilled. Less than 600 years after Jesus, came the Last Messenger of God, Muhammad, on whom be peace, from the progeny of Abraham through Ishmael. Gods blessing of both of the main branches of Abrahams family tree was now fulfilled. The Arabs and Israelites are cousins; lets keep it that way for Christ sake!
Last update : 06-02-2004 05:53
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