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The Importance of Cleanliness in Hajj
Author : Dr. Safwan Odaybat
Date Added : 30-09-2024

 

 

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

When we read Allah's Words (What means): "O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid." [Al-A'raf/31], we understand Islam's emphasis on cleanliness for the Muslim at every act of worship. The verse instructs the believer to adorn themselves before every prayer. Why before every prayer? Because prayer is a meeting between the servant and their Lord, and it is not befitting for a Muslim, who intends to meet Allah, to be negligent in their external and internal cleanliness. Furthermore, praying in the mosque is a communal gathering for the worship of Allah, so if one person neglects their body or clothing's cleanliness, they may harm others around them.

Hajj is one of the greatest acts of worship in Islam. A Muslim exerts effort in preparing themselves to perform this obligation, and they may travel from faraway places, bearing the difficulties of travel with a good spirit, hoping to reach the sacred lands. Their heart is filled with hope to perform the Tawaf around the Kaaba, the Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, to pray in the two holy mosques, stand in Arafat, stay in Mina and Muzdalifah, and throw the pebbles — all while imploring Allah for acceptance and His pleasure. However, is it befitting for such a Muslim, who strives for inner purity, to neglect their outer cleanliness?

Islam is the religion of cleanliness and purity, and Allah the Almighty loves those who purify themselves, as He Says in His Book (What means): "Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves" [Al-Baqarah/222]. Purity includes the purity of the heart, body, and environment. A Muslim's heart is pure from hatred and malice, their body is pure from dirt and impurities, and their environment is kept clean, whether in their home, mosque, or on the street — and certainly, in the holiest of places: Mecca, Medina, and the sites of Hajj, where people gather from all over the world.

Cleanliness is part of faith. It brings joy to the hearts of believers and brings ease to the spirits of Muslims. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Cleanliness invites towards faith, and faith accompanies its companion to Paradise." [Al-Tabarani in Al-Awsat). Cleanliness is also a form of Da’wah (Inviting people to the religion of Islam), inviting the world to see: "We are the most refined of nations; look at our cleanliness during Hajj despite the millions of people." Muslims returning from Hajj share with others stories of the cleanliness of the pilgrims of the Sacred House, showing how Muslims stand out among the people. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You are coming to meet your brothers, so improve your gear and clothing so that you stand out like a beauty spot among people, for Allah does not like vulgarity or indecency" [Abu Dawood].

Yes: "so that you stand out like a beauty spot among people". A beauty spot is a distinct, aesthetically pleasing feature on the body. Similarly, a true Muslim is distinguished in everything — in cleanliness, in their walk, in their speech, and in their actions. This way, they stand out like a beauty spot among the people.

Once, someone criticized Abu Al-Hasan Al-Shadhili for his beautiful appearance while that person was dressed in shabby clothing. Abu Al-Hasan responded: "My appearance says 'Alhamdulillah,' while your appearance says 'Give me from your worldly possessions.'"

Let us make the Hajj season a school where we learn cleanliness in all its meanings: cleanliness of the heart, cleanliness of the body, and cleanliness of the environment. Let us be role models for others in this regard, so that the whole world may learn from us the meaning of cleanliness when they witness and hear about the cleanliness of Muslims during Hajj. This is a great door of invitation to Allah.

When we return from Hajj, we should be the cleanest of people, reflecting that cleanliness in our homes, streets, and environments. This way, we take steps towards Islamic advancement and civilizational progress. Praise be to Allah for His bounty and peace and blessings be upon the purest of all creation, our Master Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

In the Sharia-compliant viewing  at a prospective bride (*al-naẓrah al-sharʿiyyah*), is it permissible for the man to see the woman without a veil (*ḥijāb*)?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is sunnah for the suitor to see the woman he is seeking to marry within the limits the Sharīʿah permits, namely looking at the face and the hands (palms and backs), based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Look at her, for it is more likely to bring about harmony between you.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhī.
The suitor may also ask one of the women to look at the woman he is seeking to marry. In that case, she is permitted to see of her what she is normally permitted to see, which is not limited to the face and hands, and she then describes these matters to the suitor. It is narrated on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Umm Sulaym to look at a girl, and said: “Smell her breath, and look at her heels.” Narrated by Aḥmad in his Musnad.
It is stated in Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj (Vol.7/p.192): “For one who cannot easily look, or does not wish to look himself, it is sunnah to send someone who is permitted to look at her, to observe her and describe her to him, even regarding what he himself is not permitted to look at. He thereby gains through the sending what he would not gain through looking. Because of the added need for this, it is excepted from the prohibition of a woman describing another woman to a man.”
The permissibility of looking is conditional upon his resolve to marry her once he is able to, his predominant assumption that his proposal will be accepted, and his assumption that the woman is free of marriage and of a waiting period (ʿiddah). Otherwise, looking is forbidden.
Accordingly, it is not permissible for the suitor to look at anything other than the face and hands. He may ask one of his maḥram women, such as his mother or sister, to see the woman unveiled, and the Sharia-compliant viewing (of a prospective bride) must take place in the presence of one of the woman’s maḥrams. And Allah Almighty knows best.

If a person enters a mosque and finds the congregation in the final tashahhud, which is more virtuous — joining them or waiting for a second congregation to catch the opening takbīr (takbīrat al-iḥrām)?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
If a worshipper finds a congregation that is about to finish its prayer, and he hopes to catch the entire prayer from the beginning with another congregation, it is more virtuous for him to pray with this first congregation and then repeat the prayer with the second one — provided he does not intend to confine himself to a single prayer. If, however, he intends to perform only one prayer, then it is more virtuous for him to wait for the second congregation rather than joining the first, so that he may attain the reward of congregational prayer for every single rakʿah.
Al-Khaṭīb al-Sharbīnī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "If members of a congregation enter the mosque while the imam is in the final tashahhud, al-Qāḍī Ḥusayn held that it is recommended for them to join him in prayer, and that they should not delay in order to form a second congregation. Al-Mutawallī, however, affirmed the opposite view, and al-Qāḍī's own statement elsewhere supports this latter position, which is the relied-upon view. In fact, it is more virtuous for a person who has missed part of the prayer with one congregation, and who hopes to catch another congregation with whom he can attain the entire prayer within its proper time, to delay so that he may catch it in full with them. This applies when he intends to confine himself to a single prayer; otherwise, it is more virtuous for him to pray with the first group and then repeat the prayer with the others." [Mughnī al-Muḥtāj,Vol. 3/P.186] And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What are the Sunnahs and etiquettes related to the slaughtering of an animal?

 

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
1-Avoid terrifying the animal before it is slaughtered.
 
2-Do not slaughter the animal in front of others of its kind.
 
3-Offer water to the animal before the sacrifice.
 
4-Sharpen the knife thoroughly prior to slaughtering to ensure the cut is made as quickly and cleanly as possible. This is in accordance with the statement of our Master, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "Indeed, Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, has prescribed excellence (Ihsan) in all things. So when you kill, kill well; and when you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each of you sharpen his blade, and let him put his sacrificial animal at ease." (Narrated by Muslim)
 
Do not begin skinning the carcass until you are absolutely certain that the animal has completely passed away.
 
Slaughter cattle, sheep, and goats while they are lying down on their left side, facing the Qiblah (direction of prayer). Leave the right leg untied so the animal can move it, helping it rest more easily during its final moments. For camels, however, the preferred method (Nahr) is to slaughter them while they are standing up, with their left knee tied. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

A man wishes to offer more than one uḍḥiyah (sacrificial offering), and intends by these sacrifices "on behalf of everyone whom Allah and His Messenger love." Is this intention valid?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The uḍḥiyah (sacrificial offering) is not valid with this intention, because if the sacrificial animal is from sheep or goats, it suffices for one person only; and if it is from cattle or camels, it suffices for seven persons.
However, one may sacrifice it on his own behalf, and then gift the equivalent of its reward to whomever he wishes.
Imam ar-Ramlī (raḥimahullāh) says: "Ash-Shāfi‘ī (raḍiyallāhu ‘anh) said: It is within the vastness of Allah's bounty, the Exalted, that He rewards the one giving charity as well. From this, the scholars of the madhhab said: it is recommended for a person to intend the charity on behalf of his parents, for example — for Allah, the Exalted, will reward them, without this diminishing his own reward in any way." He then relates, as the relied-upon position, the permissibility of saying: "O Allah, convey the reward of what I have recited specifically to so-and-so, and to the Muslims generally." Az-Zarkashī said: "For reward varies in degree — its highest form is what one designates specifically, and its lowest form is what one dedicates generally [alongside others]." [End of quote from Nihāyat al-Muḥtāj]. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

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