Jurisprudence

All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon His servant and beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) our guide and intercessor with Allah, the Exalted; and upon his purified household, his faithful companions, and those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.

The sun of Islam brilliantly rose, and enlightened the path which guide mankind to a blissful life both here and the Hereafter. It guides the deviated, protects the weak, uplifts the downtrodden, satisfies the hungry and clothes the naked. Islam came to clarify all rights and obligations; and to free the individual, family, and the ummah 1 from fear, injustice, ignorance and hunger.

According to its laws, white and black, ruler and ruled, man and woman are all equal. Islam determines a just balance which organizes every aspect of life, and all needs of the human race. It marvelously caters to any need in life, while carrying the message of guidance and reform, the flambeau of power and mercy and the banner of freedom and justice, in quest of a secure life for all humanity under its shades, till the end of life on earth.

In Islam, we find attributes that no other religion offers. Islam reconciles the creed with the legislation and morals. It responds to the corporal needs and spiritual desires, and identifies the deterrent punishment. It cultivates morals to form the balanced ummah. Then it makes justice the ruler and observer and, the conscience a guide. It promises reward for the righteous believers, and punishment for those who go astray.

One main attribute of Islam is that it raises the status of man, and asserts his high position as the viceroy of the Creator and the best of all creatures. Mankind revives the earth and the souls by construction and faith, while honoring the religiously ordained duties. Islam orders fulfilling of divine obligations, and makes it compulsory for the keeping up of prayer, fasting, and the performance of Hajj , and jihad (holy struggle for the sake of Allah)...etc.

Hajj is indeed a source of guidance and innumerable benefits and interests, and a stronghold of defence and uprightness. Allah, the Most High, ordains Hajj so that the ummah of the Seal of the prophets remains the bearer of the monotheistic banner to achieve the unity of humanity, and carries out the most desired objectives of humanity: freedom, equality, justice, security, welfare, brotherhood, stability and prosperity.

Hall is a discharge of Allah's dues, and for mankind a tour of the body, a journey of the soul, a unification of the ummah and the dissemination of monotheism. In it there are short term benefits of this world, and the everlasting benefits of the Hereafter. Al-Balagh Foundation presents to its dear readers this booklet on Hajj, asking Allah to amply grant us His help to accomplish this duty to the best of our abilities, so that the ummah may reap the bounties of its humble endeavors.

We ask Him to aid us in our efforts to do good works which pleases Him, to fulfill that which has been commanded of us, to glorify and give due respect to the religious duties of Islam. "and whoever respects the signs of Allah, this surely is (the outcome) of die piety of hearts".

Notes:

1. Ummah is an Arabic term with a variety of shades to meaning. For example it can be community, nation, a people or a group. In this term ummah refers to the entire Muslim world community, irrespective of the differences of language, race and nation states.

Adapted from the book: "The Hajj As Worship and Education" by: "Al-Balagh Foundation"