Moment with Allah...ِ

Allah says:

ٱلۡحَجُّ أَشۡهُرࣱ مَّعۡلُومَـٰتࣱۚ

[البقرة ١٩٧]

((The Hajj is to be performed in the months that are well-known))

(Surah alBaqarah: 197)

And He says:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثۡنَا عَشَرَ شَهۡرࣰا فِی كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ یَوۡمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۡهَاۤ أَرۡبَعَةٌ حُرُمࣱۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ ٱلدِّینُ ٱلۡقَیِّمُۚ فَلَا

تَظۡلِمُوا۟ فِیهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ

[التوبة ٣٦]

((Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them...))

Lesson:

The scholars of Tafseer teach us that in the first verse, Allah informs us that Ḥajj (the pilgrimage) takes place within a set period known as the "well-known months." These months are widely recognised among believers and don’t need special clarification, unlike fasting, which had its specific month, or the daily prayers, which have precise timings.

These months, according to most scholars, are Shawwal, Dhu al-Qaʿdah, and the first ten days of Dhu al-Ḥijjah – the time when pilgrims usually begin their iḥrām (the state of spiritual readiness for Ḥajj). This practice has its roots in the tradition of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), which has been passed down through generations.

As for the second verse; we are taught that in Allah’s divine order, the year is made up of twelve months, a measure set when He first created the heavens and the earth, as recorded in the Preserved Tablet.

Of these, four are considered sacred, during which fighting and self-oppression is especially prohibited. These are Dhu al-Qaʿdah, Dhu al-Ḥijjah, Muḥarram (three consecutive months) and Rajab (a single, separate month).

Allah further says; this is part of the clear and rightful way of living, so be careful not to wrong yourselves by violating the sanctity of these sacred months.

Key Takeaway:

As we move through this part of the Islamic calendar, it's important to recognise that we are currently living through the months of Ḥajj AND the Sacred Months. These are times that hold special significance in Islam, and with that comes a higher level of responsibility for our actions.

Surah at-Tawbah reminds us not to wrong ourselves during these sacred months. It’s like the difference between committing a crime in your local town and committing the same offence in a sacred place like Makkah; the crime is worse because of the special status of the location.

In the same way, while sins are always wrong, committing them during the sacred months, such as Dhu al-Qaʿdah, Dhu al-Ḥijjah, Muḥarram, and Rajab, carries even greater weight and consequence. Just as some places have a heightened level of respect, these months come with a greater expectation for self-restraint and mindfulness.

Moment with the Messenger (ﷺ)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Shall I not inform you of the best of your deeds, the purest in the sight of your Lord, the one that raises you to the highest ranks, and is better for you than spending gold and silver, and better for you than meeting your enemy on the battlefield, striking their necks and them striking yours?"

The companions replied, "Indeed, O Messenger of Allah!"

He said, "It is the remembrance of Allah (dhikr Allah)."

Narrated by: Abu al-Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) Sources: Collected by al-Tirmidhi (3377), Ibn Majah (3790), and Ahmad (6/447).

Commentary:

This ḥadīth teaches us about the incredible value of dhikr (remembering Allah) and encourages us to make it a regular part of our lives. It also reminds us that not all good deeds are the same; some hold greater weight and reward than others.

One beautiful aspect of dhikr is that Allah rewards even small acts of remembrance with immense blessings. It’s like getting a massive return on a small investment.

Dhikr has countless benefits: it can calm your heart, raise your status in the hereafter, and wipe away your sins. The Prophet (peace be upon him) urged us to engage in it often, and the best part is that it can be done anytime and anywhere, whether you’re walking, driving, or just taking a moment to reflect.

So what’s the takeaway?

During these special months of Ḥajj and the Sacred Months in the Islamic calendar, it’s a great time to increase our istighfaar (seeking forgiveness) and remembrance of Allah.

For seeking forgiveness, you can simply say:

1. "Astaghfirullah" (I seek Allah’s forgiveness)

For praising Allah, you can say:

1. "Alhamdulillah" (All praise is for Allah)
2. "Subhanallah" (Glory be to Allah)
3. "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest)

These are simple yet powerful phrases that bring you closer to Allah, erase sins, and bring peace to the heart.

'Soul Bites'

Regarding Hajj and those performing Hajj:

1. Imam al-Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

One should deeply respect the Kaaba and the Lord of the Kaaba, and understand that they have embarked on a journey of great significance. Their intention should be purely for the sake of Allah, free from any desire for recognition, praise, or reputation, for only sincere actions are accepted by Allah.

1. Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

For one’s ḥajj to be complete, it is essential to avoid seeking fame, praise, or status through it. Instead, one should intend only the pleasure of Allah, approaching ḥajj with humility, submission, and a deep awareness of their Lord.

1. Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

Do not assume that simply travelling to Makkah, performing the ṭawāf (circling the Kaaba), sa'ee (walking between Safa and Marwah), and standing in Arafah means your ḥajj is complete and that all your sins are forgiven. This is only true if your ḥajj is done with sincere intention for Allah and in accordance with the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Also, this series of short videos have been helpful to those travelling for Umrah and Hajj (Click the words: Umrah and Hajj). I hope you benefit from it!

'The Treasury'

Can I perform Hajj if I have debts?

If you have limited financial means and cannot afford both Hajj and paying off your debts, then paying off your debts should come first, if the debts are 'due'. This is because:

1. Hajj is only required if you can afford it. One of the main conditions for Hajj is financial ability, which includes being debt-free or at least having no urgent, unpaid debts.
2. If paying off your debt and going for Hajj would put you in financial hardship or make it difficult to meet your other obligations, then paying off the debt should be the focus.

However, there are exceptions:

1. If someone else is covering all your Hajj expenses without any strings attached, and this doesn’t impact your ability to pay off your debt, then performing Hajj would be permissible.
2. If the person you owe money to is patient and willing to wait, or if the debt has a long repayment period, and is not 'due', then you may also consider performing Hajj.

If you’re unsure about your debt situation, it’s a good idea to reach out to your creditors. Let them know about your commitment to repaying them and your desire to perform Hajj.

Ask them for their understanding and confirmation that they are willing to be patient regarding your debt. This will help you approach Hajj with a clear mind and heart, without the stress of unresolved financial obligations.

Important Note: In addition to the above, before going for Hajj, a person should be completely financially prepared. this means that you are able to cover the cost of the trip, and provide for your family in your absence.

And Allah knows best.

Sheikh Dr. Sajid Umar

'Soul Model'

Stay connected....to your Lord!

Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) said:

“Seeking forgiveness (istighfār) helps a person move from bad deeds to good deeds, and from incomplete actions to better ones. It raises a person closer to Allah and improves their spiritual rank.

A true servant of Allah keeps growing, every day, even every moment, in knowledge of Allah, understanding of the religion, and in devotion. He realises his shortcomings even in things like eating, drinking, sleeping, talking, or staying silent; he sees that he could have done them with more sincerity and excellence.

Because of this, he constantly feels the need to seek forgiveness, in the morning, at night, and all the time. His heart always turns to Allah, asking for help, strength, and forgiveness, to keep growing in faith and doing better in both inner and outer actions.”

Source: Majmū‘ al-Fatāwā, 11/696.

I look forward to sharing more in my upcoming book: The Journey to Success, the roadmap of Ikhlas, Ihsan and Istiqamah...

The End...For now🙂

May Allah reward you for reading and may you succeed in what Allah created you to achieve before you return to him! Ameen.

Your brother,

Sajid Umar,

Author of A Journey to Success and The Story of Yusuf (as)

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