Islam: Submission is not to surrender in defeat But to align one's will with the will of The Creator

Da'wah in Islam is calling non Muslims to Islam. Although the guidance and why to embrace Islam is amply made clear in the Qur'an, the last of thefour Dive Scriptures, and Sunnah of Prophet  MUhammad ﷺ, the last of the entire chain of prophets, it is incumbent upon every Muslim to invite non Muslims to Islam. 

We have already published a number of posts on the subject which contain viewpoint of Muslim scholars. But today, we share one of the most enlightening lecture on Islam to understand why submission is not to surrender to the will of God, but to align one's will to the will of The Creator. In fact it is one of the best lecture I have found on telling the world what Islam is in its real sense and how it turns subission to one true God by aligning personal will with the will of God.

This lecture is by one of the most renowned motivational speaker David Attenborough in which he shares a powerful personal reflection on life’s purpose, spirituality, and the moment he discovered Islam as a source of peace and meaning. Whether you’re on a spiritual journey, seeking purpose, or just need inspiration, this speech will resonate with your soul.

David Attenborough asserts that world is not based on random evetns without purpose but the patterns of life around us are infacct bonded in preccision and harmony that represent not randomism but wisdom, comsisitennt with natural laws and cosmos.

Explore how science, nature, and faith intersect — and why so many seekers are finding hope in unexpected places. Perfect for those curious about Islam, self-growth, or the deeper questions of life. You may now like to watch the 20 minutes lecture, titled "I Was Just Searching for Meaning… Then I Found Islam",and I am very sure that if you listen to the eminent scholar without prejudices and hostility to Islam, your lens of understanding Islam will be much more clearer:

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Disclaimer: This video is based on a personal journey and spiritual experience. It is not intended to "force" preach, convert, or criticize any belief system. The views shared are deeply personal and are meant to inspire dialogue, understanding, and reflection. Viewer discretion is advised, especially for those navigating sensitive religious experiences. Always seek knowledge with an open heart and mind.

Photo | 

For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam and our exlusive reference page: How to extend Da'wah to Non Muslims.

You  may also like to refer to our refference page Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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What are the three Jamarāt and why these are stoned as part of Hajj rituals

Hajj, the fifth essential and obligatory pillar of Islam, is performed in the city of Makkah, Saudia Arabia from the 9th Dhull Hijjah (the 12th month of Islam calander) till the 13th of the of the month. We have already published a number of posts about the step by step and day by day guide of the Hajj rituals spanned over these five days, which can be acccessed from the links given at the end of this post.

The Stoning of the Devil (Arabic: رمي الجمرات ramy al-jamarāt, lit. "throwing of the jamarāt is one of the ritual of the Hajj which takes place on 10-12th day of the Dhull Hijjah. In this post we will dwell on thw why of the need of the stoning and when.

The Jamarat (Arabic: الجمرات‎‎) are three stone walls, formerly pillars, which are pelted as a compulsory ritual of Hajj in emulation of the actions of the Prophet Ebrahim (Abraham عليه السلام). They represent the three locations where Prophet Ebrahim (عليه السلام) pelted the Shaytan (Satan) with stones when he tried to dissuade him from sacrificing his son Ismail (عليه السلام). The pillars are called ‘Jamrat-al-Ula’, ‘Jamrat-al-Wusta’ and ‘Jamrat-al-Qubra’.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Author: أمانة العاصمة المقدسة / Source

Above is the 1942 photo of one of the Jamarat. Until 2004, the three jamarāt (singular: jamrah) were tall pillars. After the 2004 Hajj, Saudi authorities replaced the pillars with 26-metre-long (85 ft) walls for safety (as can be seen in the video below); for many people were accidentally throwing pebbles at people on the other side. To allow easier access to the jamarāt, a single-tiered pedestrian bridge called the Jamaraat Bridge was built around them, allowing pilgrims to throw stones from either ground level or from the bridge.

The jamarāt are named (starting from the east):

• The first jamrah (al-jamrah al-'ūlā), or the smallest jamrah (الجمرة الصغرى al-jamrah aṣ-ṣughrā),
• The middle jamrah (الجمرة الوسطى al-jamrah al-wusṭā),
• The largest jamrah (الجمرة الكبرى al-jamrah al-kubrā), or Jamrah of Aqaba (جمرة العقبة jamrat al-ʿaqaba).

In one of our earliest posts on the night stay at Muzdalliah, we mentioned collection of pebbles from the  plains of Muzdallifah for the stoning of the Jamarat. Once on 10th of DHull Hijjah, the pilgrims return to Mina, one of the ritual of the day is the stoning of the Jamrat-al-Ula (The bigger devil). Then on successive next days, pelting of stones at ‘Jamrat-al-Wusta’ and ‘Jamrat-al-Qubra’ (the middle and the smallest Devils) with seven stones each.

The pilgrims throw stones on the Jamarat to follow the example of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and reject evil. This ritual, called Ramy al-Jamarat, symbolizes Prophet Ibrahim’s rejection of Satan when he tried to tempt him away from obeying Allah. By throwing stones, Muslims declare their commitment to resist sin and stay firm in their faith. It’s a powerful act of worship that reminds believers to overcome personal struggles and stay on the straight path.

Events that lead to the ritual of Stoning of the Devil (Arabic: رمي الجمرات ramy al-jamarāt:

All three jamarāt represent the devil: the first and largest represents his temptation of Abraham against sacrificing Ishmael (Ismāʿīl); the second represents the temptation of Abraham's wife Hagar (Hājar) to induce her to stop him; the third represents his temptation of Ishmael to avoid being sacrificed. He was rebuked each time, and the throwing of the stones symbolizes those rebukes.

The ritual re-enacts Abraham's pilgrimage to Mecca as explained by the Muslim historian al-Azraqi:

• When he [Abraham] left Mina and was brought down to (the defile called) al-Aqaba, the Devil appeared to him at Stone-Heap of the Defile. Gabriel (Jibrayil) said to him: "Pelt him!" so Abraham threw seven stones at him so that he disappeared from him. 
• Then he appeared to him at the Middle Stone-Heap. Gabriel said to him: "Pelt him!" so he pelted him with seven stones so that he disappeared from him. 
• Then he appeared to him at the Little Stone-Heap. Gabriel said to him: "Pelt him!" so he pelted him with seven stones like the little stones for throwing with a sling. So the Devil withdrew from him.

Is there really a Devil in Makkah in the city of Allah?

Many non-Muslims questions why there is Devil in the city so revered by Allah. The simple answer is a big NO. 

• There isn’t a physical devil in Makkah that pilgrims throw stones at. The pillars, called the Jamarat, are symbolic. They represent the places where Satan tried to tempt Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and stop him from obeying Allah’s command.
• The stoning at the Jamarat express the resolve of the Muslims that they reject the Devil and all forms of evil, the same way Prophet Ebraheem did when the Devil physically appeared before him to mislead him from obeying the commands of Allah.
• The act of pelting stone at Jamarat is thus a reminder that we all face temptations and challenges, just like Prophet Ibrahim did, and we need to stay strong and obedient to Allah.
• This ritual also encourages us to think deeply about our own struggles. It helps us recognize the “Satan” within ourselves, our weaknesses, bad habits, and wrong desires and commit to overcoming them. By performing this act, we renew our faith and show our determination to follow the right path. 

Theological Insight into the ritual of pelting stones at Jamarat:

The stoning of the jamarāt also represents the repudiation of man's self (an-nafs al-'amāra, literally the "internal despot") and the act of casting aside one's low desires and wishes. As one Islamic theologian states:

• In our dail lives, an "internal despot" refers to a situation where a person, group, or entity exhibits despotic behavior within a larger structure or organization, rather than being a leader of an entire nation or entity. It describes someone who exercises power and authority in a repressive, unpredictable, and often vengeful manner, particularly in a workplace or other social context. 
• Correlating this explanation of an internal despot, if one is able to crush al‑nafs al‑'amāra during the stoning of Jamrat al‑ʿAqaba (the Jamrah of Aqaba), then one has taken the next step in attaining closeness to Allah, and since between the servant and Allah there is no more than the distance of one step, if one has been able to take this step and make it past one's own low desires and wishes, then that which follows is the level of closeness to Allah.
• During those two or three days after the Eid that one is in Mina, one must stone the three jamarāt, meaning that one must trample upon his internal despot (an-nafs al-'amāra), the external despot of the Shaitan from the Jinn, and the Shayṭān from among the Humans (the enemies of religion and of humanity).

Thus, the stoning of the three jamarāt is, in essence, the trampling upon the despots and waging war against all of them. When one focuses on them and the hatred for them, then one automatically focuses with complete attention upon one's self – and rightfully so – while stoning the jamarāt, one must focus entirely upon one's self. It is an attack on a person's internal temptations or base desires, and signals a moving away from the self and towards further submission to Allah's will.

Let us watch a video of pelting the stone at one of the Jamarat:

To know more about Hajj, please refer to our reference pages:

• Hajj - Pilgrimage to Makkah
• Dhu al-Hijja (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة): The month of Pilgrimage - The Hajj
• Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Hajj – the Fifth Pillar of Islam

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Resource References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Hajj: Rituals of 10th Dhul Hijjah - Yawm al-Nahr (the Day of Sacrifice)

In our series of how to perform Hajj, we now reach the 10th of Dhul Hijja, a day after spending the previous day at the plans of Arafat, known as Day of Arfah - the actual day of Hajj, and spending the night of 9-10 Dhul Hijjah at Muzdalifah and finally returning to Mina on 10th of Dhul Hijjah after offering the Fajr / Pre dawn prayer.

Now it is 10th of Dhul Hijjah which is known as the Yawm al-Nahr "يوم النحر "(the Day  of Sacrifice), for on this day, the pilgrims offer sacrifise of an animal on memory of the historic event related to Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham, may peace be upon him) and his son Ismail (Ismael). This day other than those performing Hajj is also known as Eid al Adha.

10th of Dhul Hijjah is one of the busiest and most significant days of Hajj. On this day, the pilgrims perform four main rites given herein under:

Jamarah al-Aqaba: Past and present

• Stoning (Throw 7 pebbles) the largest Jamarah - Jamarah al-Aqaba (the big pillar) only
• Stoning of the remaining two Jamarah is carried out on 11th and 12th Dhul Hijjah respectively.
• One must not pelt the small and medium pillars on this occasion, although a penalty will not be due if they are pelted erroneously. The pillars are clearly marked with signposts in both English and Arabic, so make sure you identify the big pillar before pelting.
• Location of Jamarah: The Jamarat are located on the far side of Mina, i.e., at the end closest to Makkah. Jamarah al-Aqaba (the big pillar) is the one located closest to Makkah, Jamarat al-Ula (the small pillar) is located near Masjid al-Khayf in Mina and Jamarat al-Wusta (the medium pillar) is located between the big and small pillars.
• Timings of Pelting:
• Before Fajr salah – Not allowed to pelt.
• Between Fajr salah and sunrise – Disliked (makruh) for men*, but still valid and permissible for women, the elderly and the infirm.
• Sunrise to midday (10 minutes before the beginning of Dhuhr salah) – Sunnah. Try to perform Rami at this time, provided it isn’t too crowded.
• Between midday and sunset – Permissible (mubah) without being disliked.
• Between sunset and Fajr salah (of the 11th) – Disliked (makruh) for men*, but still valid and permissible for women, the elderly and the infirm. However, it will not be disliked (makruh) for a man who is a Mahram to perform Rami with a woman who is pelting at this time.
• Special Instructions while going out for pelting: Stay hydrated during this walk and use an umbrella to protect from the sun. Despite the shade from the tunnels, it can still get very hot. Refreshments may be available on the way, and the police are even kind enough to spray pilgrims with water to keep them cool.
• Animal Sacrifice – Hady (Mandatory for Hajj al-Tamattu‘ and Hajj al-Qiran.)
• Halq or Taqsir (Shaving or cutting the hair) - Men usually shave (Halq), women cut a fingertip's length (Taqsir). After these three rituals, pilgrims proceed to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah and Sa’i.
• Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa’i - Tawaf al-Ziyarah (Arabic: طواف الزيارة), also known as Tawaf al-Ifadhah (Arabic: طواف الافاضة), is the Tawaf that is carried out on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah after leaving the state of Ihram and changing into regular clothing, before returning to Mina to perform Rami al-Jamarat. Marital relations are prohibited until this Tawaf is completed.

After these acts, pilgrims are released from the major restrictions of Ihram (except marital relations). This partial release is called Tahallul al-Awwal. T. hereafter, after performing the above rituals, pilgrims can relax, rest, eat but not forgetting their prayers for they are here to pray  for blessings of Allah and His unfinite mercies. 

In our next post we will deliberate on rituals of 11-13 Dhul Hijjah.

For details of above mentioned rituals of 10th of Dhul Hijja, please read the post: Hajj - Day 3 10th DHul Hijjah

To know more about Hajj, please refer to our reference pages:

• Hajj - Pilgrimage to Makkah
• Dhu al-Hijja (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة): The month of Pilgrimage - The Hajj
• Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Hajj – the Fifth Pillar of Islam

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Hajj: The Day of Arafah - 9th Dhull Hijjah

The sighting of the moon for the 12th and last month of the Islamic calander, DHull Hijjah (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة), sets in - a month which is eagerly awaited by the Muslims every year - and for many throughout their lifetime. Why I said lifetime becuase it requires arrangement of huge finances for travel and stay in Makkah for many days, specially for those travelling from far off distances and countries. It is the month of annual pilgrimage to Makkah which takes place on 9th of the Dhull Hijjah on the planes of Arafat outside Makkah. It is the month which witnesses the largest displacement of intending pilgrims from their homes to Saudi Arabia.

We have already written a number of posts on Hajj which can be read from links given in our reference pages at the end of this post. this post today is exclusive to the Day of Arfah, the actual day of Hajj, that falls on the 9th of Dhull Hijja.

The pilgrims who arrive many days before the Hajj day, perform Umrah (also called the minor Hajj) and stay in Makkah. They are housed in the specially erected tent village in Mina, outside Makkah. The enormous tent village is big enough to house more than 3 million pilgrims, well stocked with provisions and other water. Why water is specially mentioned becasue Makkah on its own does not have any water resources and the water is brought to Makkah in special tankers and pipelines for these 3 million or even more pilgrims which nevver runs dry even for a minute.

On the 9th Dhull Hijjah, all pilgrims leave Mina and travel a distance of 14 kilometres to the plains of Arafat, adjacant to the Mount Arafat, where they will stay till afternoon. The pilgrims also throng the Mount Arafat (جَبَل عَرَفَات, romanized: Jabal ʿArafāt), and by its other Arabic name, Jabal ar-Raḥmah (Arabic: جَبَل ٱلرَّحْمَة, lit. 'Mountain of mercy'). It is a small hillock on the palins of Arafat which is approximately 70 m (230 ft) in height, with its highest point sitting at an elevation of 454 metres (1,490 ft), shown in the photo below. It was the mount on which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered his his historic sermon during his only Hajj that he performed in his lifetime in 10 AD. 

Once the pilgrims reach plains of Arafat, they get busy in prayers and remembering Allah, repenting their sins and misdeeds and seeking Divine forgiveness. 

Pilgrims throng the plains of Arafat and the Mount Arafat (Photo)

Key Actions of Hajis on the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul-Hijjah):

1. Travel to the Plain of Arafat: After sunrise, Hajis leave Mina and travel about 14 km to the Plain of Arafat. They stay in a large open field near the Mount of Mercy (Jabal al-Rahmah).

2. Wuquf at Arafat (The Standing): The main ritual is the "Wuquf", or standing before Allah in deep reflection and prayer. It begins after noon (Dhuhr) and lasts until sunset (Maghrib). Pilgrims stand, sit, or raise their hands in prayer, pleading for Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and blessings. It is considered the core of Hajj — the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Hajj is Arafah.” (Sunan al-Nasa’i)

3. Listening to the Khutbah (Sermon): A sermon (khutbah) is delivered at Masjid Namirah, addressing the significance of the day, unity of Muslims, and submission to Allah.

4. Performing Combined Prayers: Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together (jam’ and qasr, i.e., shortened and combined). These prayers are led by the Imam at Masjid Namirah.

5. Dua and Repentance: Pilgrims make intense du’a (supplication) throughout the day. It is a day of tears, repentance, and seeking closeness to Allah.

At the midday, the Hajj Sermon, called Khutba of Hajj, is given by the Imam of Masjid an-Namirah (Arabic: مَسْجِد ٱلنَّمِرَة‎) or Masjid Nimrah (Arabic: مَسْجِد نِمْرَة‎), located in Waadi Urana.

The Hajj khutbah (sermon) is delivered from Masjid Al-Namirah (above) and Zuhr and Asr prayers are prayed together in the Arafat valley.

6. Departing to Muzdalifah: After sunset, pilgrims do not pray Maghrib at Arafat. They leave for Muzdalifah (about 9 km away) and pray Maghrib and Isha there. They also collect pebbles for the next day’s ritual of stoning the Jamarat.

Key Notes:

• Missing Arafah invalidates Hajj.
• It is a day when millions of pilgrims unite in a single act of devotion.
• It mirrors the Day of Judgment, with people standing in humility before God.

Fasting on Day of Arafah

Often a question is asked about fasting on the Day of Arfah. It is clariefied that those performing Hajj are not required to fast on the Day of Arfah, even not allowed to. However, Muslims who are not on Hajj are strongly encouraged to fast on the Day of Arafah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” — Sahih Muslim

You may like to watch a video of Hajj 2022 showing pilgrims around Masjid Nimrah for the midday prayer and to listen to the Hajj Sermon:

To know more about Hajj, please refer to our reference pages:

• Hajj - Pilgrimage to Makkah
• Dhu al-Hijja (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة): The month of Pilgrimage - The Hajj
• Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Hajj – the Fifth Pillar of Islam

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | 

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Hajj: Overnight stay in Muzdalifah when kings and ordinaries sleep together under open sky

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and is obligatory for able bodied Muslims once in their life. It is rigorous pilgrimage to Makkah under the harsh summers and winters when these are at the peak. Yet men and women with complete disregard to their age embark upon the journey to the Holay Land of Makkah, Saudia Arabia. The pilgrimage is not easy as it entails walking large distances specially during the actual Hajj days from 9th of Dhul Hijjah till the 13th.

On 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the actual day of Hajj, all pilrims leave their tentage village at Mina and proceed to plains of Arafat, a barren land near Mount Arafat, to spend the day in prayer, supplication, and repentance, seeking forgiveness from Allah. On this day the special sermon of Hajj is given at eh Masjid al Nimarah as did the Prophet Muhammad while perfforming his Hajj. Pilgrims typically arrive before noon, spend the afternoon in prayer, and then depart at sunset for Muzdalifah. This "standing before God" (wuquf) is a crucial part of the Hajj ritual. 

Wuquf (Arabic: الوقوف) means “standing” or “staying.” In the context of Muzdalifah, it refers to the pilgrim’s presence there after sunset on the night of the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, following the Day of Arafah.

After spending the day at Arafat, they proceed to Muzdalifah, 9 kilometres away from Arafat toward Mina. Muzdalifah stretches from the Valley of Muhassar to the mountains of Ma\'zamayn. Here, the spend the night of 10th Dhul Hijjah and offer the combined Maghrab and Isha (shortening the 'Isha Salah to two Rakat) prayers, and spend the night here in the open under the open sky till sunrise the enxt day, when they proceed back to Mina.

The night stay at Muzdalifah (Photo: Wikipedia Commons / Author: Arisdp)

The night spend at Muzdalifah is a unique event wherein kings and ordinaries spend the night under the open sky on plain ground with no luxurious beds and other amentities of life. It is a night when rich and poor lie down on ground remebering their Lord, repenting their misdeeds and seeking forgiveness. Here there is a thin piece of cloth to lay on if carrying along, though many lie down on the ground with their arms as pillows. The overnight stay is sign of submission and equality before Allah  . This experience symbolizes the simplicity of life, detachment from materialism, and reminds believers of the Day of Judgment.

In fact, the night stay at Muzdalifah remids the pilgrims of the Day of Resurrection when everyone will stand to listen to their dossiers and receiving rewards and awards accordingly. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ too stayed in the open at Muzdalifah during his Farewell Pilgrimage. Thus, pilgrims follow his exact footsteps as a sign of obedience and devotion.

The next morning after offering the pre-dawn prayer of Fajr, the pilgrims collect 21 pebbles from the area for stoning three Jumurat, seven each, the acct called (Arabic: رَمِي ٱلْجَمَرَات, romanized: Ramī al-Jamarāt, in remembrance of the act of Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham, peace be upon him) when at these three place Satan tried to disarray him from remembering of Allah, but the revered prophet struck him with seven pebbles to ward him off.

The night stay at Muzdalifah and the sleep on the empty ground is a sleep like no other sleep one would have ever slept. It is a night spent half awake and half sleep with continouous remembrance of Allah and seeking forgiveness from the misdeeds and sins of the lifetime. Lucky are those who get the opportunnity of performing Hajj, at least once in their lifetime, and get a chance to have their sins waived off as so Divinely promised.

You may now like to watch a video of pilgrims walking back from Arafat to Muzdalifah  walk from Arafat to Muzdalifah by foot for overnight Wuquf:

To know more about Hajj, please refer to our reference pages:

• Hajj - Pilgrimage to Makkah
• Dhu al-Hijja (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة): The month of Pilgrimage - The Hajj
• Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Hajj – the Fifth Pillar of Islam

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Photo | References: | Wikipedia | 

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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A powerful revert experience that changed the lens of hating Islam to knowing real Islam

In the recent times, the impct of social media on human perceptions and way of thinking is enormous. The social media can induce ideas even though false into the target audiance who generally buy these ideas and are greatly influenced to make decisions based on tainted information. This has been so specially in case of Islam and Muslims against whom a very deliberate campaign has been set into motions, specially since 9/11 and has bee so successful that whenever there is a case of violence or terrorism, Islam is straightaway blamed and Muslims outrightly labelled as terrorists.

But despite such efforts to create hate against Muslims, there are many non Muslims who try to find the real Islam and are often amzed to find out out how their lens has been clouded with false ideas that has always made them uneasy in presence of Muslims and hate them due to malacious campain unleasehed against them both in print and social media.

Today, in our series of posts on why non-Muslims embrace Islam, we share a very awe inspiring revert experience and a very candid expression of how not knowing about Islam and then knowing the real Islam can inspire non Muslims to willingliy revert to Islam. 

Please watch the full video of  revert experienc of Piers Morgan who hated Islam for almost thirty years and now gives out a life-changing motivational speech that reveals a deeply personal journey of awakening, truth, and transformation. After decades of searching, confusion, and emptiness, the speaker finally encounters the pure essence of real Islam — not the distorted version portrayed by the media, but the Islam of peace, purpose, and divine connection. This powerful 20-minute message will shake your soul, challenge your assumptions, and inspire you to seek truth beyond headlines and stereotypes.:

May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us have unflinching faith and trust in Divine Wisdom and decisions and should never lament for we do not know that something better has been planned for us by our most caring Lord. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Disclaimer: This video is based on a personal journey and spiritual experience. It is not intended to preach, convert, or criticize any belief system. The views shared are deeply personal and are meant to inspire dialogue, understanding, and reflection. Viewer discretion is advised, especially for those navigating sensitive religious experiences. Always seek knowledge with an open heart and mind.

To read personal accounts of many who have reverted to Islam, please visit our page: Embracing Islam: Revert Experiences.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | Resource reference |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Penalties for violating the prohibitions of Ihram ' إِحْرَام ' during Hajj (and Umrah)

The last Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah witnesses the largest pilgrimage of devotees from all corners of the world to the city of Makkah to perform Hajj, one of the five mandatory pillars of Islam. It is the time when a man and woman totally submit and surrender to the worship of Allah, leaving everything of their behind back home and shperform Hajj rituals rouded in just two pieces of plain unstiched cloth (for men only) called Ihram ' إِحْرَام '.

Once a man or woman enters into the state of Ihram ' إِحْرَام ', there are certain prohibitions imposed on them for as long as they are in this state. We have already written a detailed post Hajj: The prohibited actions during state of Ihram ' إِحْرَام ' about these prohibitions. But what happens if someone, intentionally or unintentionally, violates these prohibitions? How to make amends? Through this post, we will deliberate on the penalties for violating the prohibitions of Ihram ' إِحْرَام '.

The expiation (kaffarah) for violating ihram rules involves several options, primarily fasting, feeding the needy, or offering a sacrificial animal. Specifically, if a pilgrim shaves their head during ihram without a valid reason, the kaffarah is a sheep. If the shaving is due to necessity, the penalty is either a sheep, fasting for three days, or feeding six poor people. Other violations, like wearing sewn garments or using perfume, also require expiation, which can include fasting, charity, or offering a sheep. 

There are three categories of penalty, depending on the nature of the transgression:

• Badanah: Offering a large sacrificial animal such as a camel or a cow (the size of which normally constitutes seven parts). Violations that may require a Badanah include things like engaging in sexual relations, or performing Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) in a state of ritual impurity. 
• Damm: Offering a small sacrificial animal such as a sheep or a goat (or the cost of one-seventh of a large animal if sharing). Some of the actions that neccetate Damm are as under:
• Entering the Miqat without coming into Ihram.
• Applying fragrances or perfumes to the body or the clothing, or using scented substances.
• Applying henna or kohl to the body.
• Wearing stitched/sewn/tailored clothing that fits the shape of the body, in the case of men. For example, wearing underwear, shirts, trousers and jackets.
• Wearing footwear that covers the ankle, in the case of men.
• Covering the head or face.
• Shaving, cutting, trimming or removing hair from any part of the body.
• Clipping the nails on the hands or feet.
• Kissing, touching or embracing a person of the opposite gender with lust/desire.
• Having sexual relations. Depending on when this takes place, it could also invalidate the Hajj or Umrah and liable for Badanah penalty.
• Hunting a prohibited animal.
• Omitting an obligatory action of Hajj or Umrah or not performing it in the way it should be performed.
• Sadaqah: Offering charity to the poor, normally in the form of food such as flour, wheat, barley, dates or raisins. Depending on the violation, the amount of Sadaqah falls into three categories:
• Complete Sadaqah al-Fitr – This is equivalent to about 3 kg of wheat, 6 kg of barley or 6 kg of dates or raisins or its value in money.
• Less than Sadaqah al-Fitr – This can be a handful of wheat or an equivalent.
• Sadaqah equivalent to the value – For example, cutting trees or grass in the boundaries of the Haram will necessitate Sadaqah equivalent to the value of those mistakes. The amount due will be judged by two Muslim men who are local to the area and upright in their character.

For detailed information on Ihram violations and penalties, please refer to the site: Hajj -Violations & Penalties. The table given in the post gives out a very detailed information on type of violation and the penalty so incurred. Remember, the biggest penalty is for sexual intimacy and depending on the time and place, it may even invalidate the Hajj and one may have to return to Hajj next year or in future even after paying the penalty of Badanah.

Note: The penalties mentioned in the table referred above are generally agreed upon. However, one may differ according to the particular sect / school of thought instructions and directions. 

This post is only about penalties for prohibitations about being in state of Ihram. For detailed information about Hajj, please refer to our reference page: 

• Dhu al-Hijja (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة): The month of Pilgrimage - The Hajj
• Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Hajj – the Fifth Pillar of Islam

 May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Hajj: The prohibited actions during state of Ihram ' إِحْرَام '

With the sighting of the new moon for the month of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, intending pilgrims flcok to Makkah to carryout the Hajj rituals which commence from 9th of Dhul Hijja till the its 13 date. Pilgrims usually arrive a week or two before the start of Hajj and stay a week afterwards, often to visit the mosque of Prophet Muhammad in Medina. The main Hajj event is performed on the 9th od the sacred month when the entire lot of pilgrims spent the day in the Arafat and listen to the Khutba of Hajj deleivered from the Masjid an-Namirah (Arabic: مَسْجِد ٱلنَّمِرَة‎) or Masjid Nimrah (Arabic: مَسْجِد نِمْرَة‎)  outside Makkah located in in Wadi Uranah. 

We have already written a detailed post on how to perfform Hajj which can be accessed from our earlier post: How to perform Hajj: Step by step guide

The hajj for an intended pilgrim starts from entering into the state of Ihram ' إِحْرَام '. Ihram is a sacred state that a Muslim must enter in order to perform the Hajj (or Umrah) pilgrimage. It involves specific physical garments, spiritual intentions, and a set of prohibitions aimed at fostering humility, equality, and devotion to Allah.

The word "Ihram" (إحرام) comes from the Arabic root ḥ-r-m (حرَم) which means to make something forbidden or sacred. In essence, entering into Ihram means making certain things forbidden for the sake of Allah while performing Hajj or Umrah.

Before mention in detail the prohibited acts during state of Ihram, let us see what are components of Ihram:

Components of Ihram

• Niyyah (Intention)
• Pilgrims must make a clear intention for either Hajj or Umrah before crossing the Miqat (designated boundary).
• Reciting the Talbiyah confirms the start of Ihram: (لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ “Here I am, O Allah, here I am...”)
• Garments of Ihram
• For Men:
• Two unstitched white cloths, that is:
• Izar – wrapped around the waist
• Rida' – draped over the upper body
• No sewn clothing, underwear, socks, or head covering.
• For Women:
• Regular modest Islamic dress (such as abaya) that:
• Does not cover the face or hands
• Is not adorned or perfumed

Purpose and Wisdom of entering into state of Ihram

• Symbol of equality: Everyone wears simple, similar clothing—rich and poor alike.
• Spiritual purity: Ihram emphasizes detachment from worldly concerns.
• Reminder of death: The white shroud-like cloth for men resembles burial garments.
• Focus on Allah: By avoiding distractions, the pilgrim focuses fully on worship.

Once one make an intention to perform Hajj and gets into state of Ihram, straightaway certain acts beome prohibited for him till he remains in the state of Ihram. The 197th verse of Surah 2. Al Baqarah (The Cow) explains:

ٱلْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌۭ مَّعْلُومَـٰتٌۭ ۚ فَمَن فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ ٱلْحَجَّ فَلَا رَفَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِى ٱلْحَجِّ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ يَعْلَمْهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَتَزَوَّدُوا۟ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَٱتَّقُونِ يَـٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ 

˹Commitment to˺ pilgrimage is made in appointed months.1 Whoever commits to ˹performing˺ pilgrimage, let them stay away from intimate relations, foul language, and arguments during pilgrimage. Whatever good you do, Allah ˹fully˺ knows of it. Take ˹necessary˺ provisions ˹for the journey˺—surely the best provision is righteousness. And be mindful of Me, O  people of reason!

The three acts forbidden are abstaination from:

• Intimate relations with one's spouse (this deos not mean that one can have sexual relation with someone other than one's spouse for in Islam sexual relations with anyone other than one's spouse are strictly prohibited - Haraam)
• Foul language (using bad language)
• Arguments (that is quarell)

Let us now expand this verse and see its practical mainisfestation:

• There are times when one has to stay away from his family and children for a long time in a state of Ihram. Then, men and women perform Hajj rites at Mataf مطاف (the place around the Ka'bah where tawaf طواف is made) and Mas’ a مسعیٰ (place between Safa صفاء and Marwah were Sayee سعی is made) and at ` Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina منٰی with hundreds and thousands of people coming in contact with each other. In such an enormous gathering of men and women, it is not so easy to control one's inner desires, therefore, Allah Almighty has first taken up the prohibition of obscenity. 
• Then, since so many people are around at a given time, all deeply devoted to performing their prescribed rites, there are also occasions where sins such as theft creep in, therefore, came the instruction: la fusuq لا فسوق (no sin). 
• Similarly, during the entire Hajj trip, there are many incidents where people could get to quarrel with each other because they are cramped for space or for some other reason. The injunction: la jidal لا جدال (no quarrel) is to eliminate such possibilities. For Allah hates the quarrelsome as is cautioned by the Prophet of Allah in a hadith mentioned in Sahi Bokhari: Narrated by `Aisha, the revered wife of the Prophet: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The most hated person in the sight of Allah is the most quarrelsome person." 

The eloquence of the Qur'an

• The words in the verse: فَلَا رَ‌فَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ translated literally as 'then there is no obscenity, no sin, no quarrel ...' are all words of negation, that is, all these things are not there in Hajj, although the object is to forbid them, which could have taken the form close to saying - do not be obscene, do not be sinful and do not quarrel. But, the possible prohibitive imperative has been replaced here by words of negation and thereby the hint has been given that such doings have no place in Hajj and cannot even be imagined in that context.
• After proclaiming basic Ihram prohibitions, the sentence: وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ‌ يَعْلَمْهُ اللَّـهُ (And whatever good you do, Allah shall know it) instructs that abstaining from sins and the contravention of the Ihram during the blessed days of Hajj and at sacred places is not enough. Taking a step farther, one should consider this occasion to be something that comes once in a lifetime, therefore, it is all the more necessary that one should make an effort to stay devoted to ` ibadah عبادہ ، the Dhikr ذِکر also transliterated as 'Thikr', or 'Zikr', meaning 'remembrance' ) of Allah and good deeds. The assurance given is that every act of virtue and every demonstration of goodness from a servant of Allah shall be in the knowledge of Allah and, of course, shall be rewarded generously.
• The sentence that follows immediately: وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ‌ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ : 'And take provisions along, for the merit of provision is to abstain (from asking) ' aims to correct those who leave their homes for Hajj and ` Umrah without adequate preparation claiming that they do so because they have trust in Allah. Obviously, they have to ask for help on their way, or worse still, they themselves go through privation and suffering and in the process, bother others as well. Hence, the instruction has been given that provisions needed for the proposed trip for Hajj should be taken along. This is not against tawakkul تَوکُّل or trust in Allah; it is rather, the very essence of tawakkul تَوکُّل ، which conveys the sense that one should first acquire and collect the means and resources provided by Allah Almighty to the best of one's capability and, then, place his trust (tawakkul تَوکُّل) in Allah. This is the exact explanation of tawakkul reported from the Holy Prophet ﷺ . Forsaking all efforts to acquire means of subsistence (tark al-asbab ترک الاسباب ) and calling it tawakkul is sheer ignorance.

Some commentators have taken fusuq and jidal فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ in the general sense. According to them even though the fisq فِسق and jidal are sins, and deplorable at all places and under all conditions, but their sin becomes all the more grave in the state of Ihram. If one could think about the blessed days and the sacred land of the Haram where everyone comes to perform ` ibadah at its best with fervent chants of labbayk لَبَّیک ، telling their Lord 'Here we are at Your call', with the garment of Ihram reminding them all the time that the pilgrim is devoted to his act of ` ibadah within the sight of Allah, how could one stoop to do what is prohibited by Allah; obviously, under such condition, any act of sin or any act of entanglement with dispute turns into sinfulness at its worst.

Abstaination from Shaving of Head / Hair

Beside these three prohibitions, the earlier verse 196 mentiones that till the sacrifical slaughter hs taken place neither the state of Ihrm be broken nor one is to clip one's nails or remove hair from the head. This applies for Hajj only as there is no animal to be slaughtered. Therefore after performing Sai between mounts of Safa and Marwa, one has its hair removed, from entire head or at least one third of it. For Hajj, following is the restriction:

وَأَتِمُّوا۟ ٱلْحَجَّ وَٱلْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ ۚ فَإِنْ أُحْصِرْتُمْ فَمَا ٱسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ ٱلْهَدْىِ ۖ وَلَا تَحْلِقُوا۟ رُءُوسَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ ٱلْهَدْىُ مَحِلَّهُۥ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ بِهِۦٓ أَذًۭى مِّن رَّأْسِهِۦ فَفِدْيَةٌۭ مِّن صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍۢ ۚ فَإِذَآ أَمِنتُمْ فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِٱلْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى ٱلْحَجِّ فَمَا ٱسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ ٱلْهَدْىِ ۚ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَـٰثَةِ أَيَّامٍۢ فِى ٱلْحَجِّ وَسَبْعَةٍ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ ۗ تِلْكَ عَشَرَةٌۭ كَامِلَةٌۭ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن لَّمْ يَكُنْ أَهْلُهُۥ حَاضِرِى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ

Complete the pilgrimage and minor pilgrimage for Allah.1 But if prevented ˹from proceeding˺, then ˹offer˺ whatever sacrificial animals you can afford. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal reaches its destination. But if any of you is ill or has a scalp ailment ˹requiring shaving˺, then compensate either by fasting, charity, or a sacrificial offering. In times of peace, you may combine the pilgrimage and minor pilgrimage then make the sacrificial offering you can afford. Whoever cannot afford that ˹offering˺, let them fast three days during pilgrimage and seven after returning ˹home˺—completing ten. These offerings are for those who do not live near the Sacred House. And be mindful of Allah, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.

After sacrifising the animal, one may first remove the hair from the entire head or part thereof and then is free to take off the Ihram and get into normal clothes.

Abstaination from Killing Game / animals

Killing game (hunting), because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning: 

“O you who believe! Kill not the game while you are in a state of Ihram [for Hajj or ‘Umrah (pilgrimage)].” [al-Maidah 5:95]

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَقۡتُلُوا الصَّيۡدَ وَاَنۡـتُمۡ حُرُمٌ​ ؕ وَمَنۡ قَتَلَهٗ مِنۡكُمۡ مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَآءٌ مِّثۡلُ مَا قَتَلَ مِنَ النَّعَمِ يَحۡكُمُ بِهٖ ذَوَا عَدۡلٍ مِّنۡكُمۡ هَدۡيًاۢ بٰلِغَ الۡـكَعۡبَةِ اَوۡ كَفَّارَةٌ طَعَامُ مَسٰكِيۡنَ اَوۡ عَدۡلُ ذٰ لِكَ صِيَامًا لِّيَذُوۡقَ وَبَالَ اَمۡرِهٖ​ ؕ عَفَا اللّٰهُ عَمَّا سَلَفَ​ ؕ وَمَنۡ عَادَ فَيَنۡتَقِمُ اللّٰهُ مِنۡهُ​ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَزِيۡزٌ ذُو انْتِقَامٍ‏ 

(5:95) Believers! Do not kill game while you are in the state of pilgrim sanctity. Whoever of you kills it wilfully there shall be a recompense, the like of what he has killed in cattle - as shall be judged by two men of equity among you - to be brought to the Ka'bah as an offering, or as an expiation the feeding of the needy, or its equivalent in fasting111 in order that he may taste the grievousness of his deed. Allah has pardoned whatever has passed; but Allah will exact a penalty from him who repeats it. Allah is All-Mighty. He is fully capable of exacting penalties.

That is when a person is in the state of pilgrim sanctity (ihram) it is prohibited for him both to hunt and to assist in hunting animals. Indeed, even if an animal has been hunted for him by someone else he may not eat it. However, if someone hunts an animal for himself and makes a gift of it to such a person, there is no harm in his eating it. There is an exception to this injunction and that is with regard to harmful animals. Snakes, scorpions, mad dogs and other such animals which cause injury to man may be killed even by one in the state of ihram.

Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad with regard to Ihram:

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not wear any clothes touched by saffron or perfume while in Ihram.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Thus, applying perfume after entering ihram , whether on one’s clothes or body, or in one's food or when washing the deceased muhrim or in any way whatsoever. Using perfume is forbidden in ihram because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said concerning a man whose camel trampled him to death, “Wash him with water and lotus leaves and shroud him in his two garments, but do not cover his head or perfume him with hanut.” Hanut is a mixture of perfumes that is usually applied to the deceased. 

This post is only about instructions and prohibitations about being in state of Ihram. For detailed information about Hajj, please refer to our reference page: 

• Dhu al-Hijja (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة): The month of Pilgrimage - The Hajj
• Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Hajj – the Fifth Pillar of Islam

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | references: | Tafsir Al Qur'an | Ihram (Wikipedia) | 2 | 3 | 4 |

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