… Continued
Jaabir narrated that, “When the Prophet assumed Ihraam (ritual consecration for Hajj), he pronounced the Talbiyyah that confirms the Oneness of Allah (saying): 'Labbayka Allahumma labbayk; labbayk la shareeka laka labbayk; inna al-Hamda wa-n-i‘mata laka wal-mulk; la shareeka lak (Here I am at Your service, O Allah! You have no partner. Here I am at Your service, O Allah. Indeed, all the praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.)'” By doing so, the Prophet abolished what the polytheists would do during the days of Jahiliyyah. They would associate a partner with Allah saying, “You have no partners except a partner whom You own and whatever he owns.” Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And most of them believe not in Allah except while they associate others with Him.} [Quran 12:106]
The Prophet nullified this foul practice of Jahiliyyah and said upon intending Hajj: “O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj free from ostentation and seeking fame.” [Ibn Majah] He intended to make Hajj free from ostentation and free from seeking fame or privileges as the people of Quraysh in the pre-Islamic era would have distinct privileges over all other Arabs therein.
According to the Hadeeth of Jabir when the Prophet wanted to make Tawaaf, “He first mounted (Mount) As-Safa until he saw the House, and facing the Qiblah (prayer direction), he declared the Oneness of Allah and glorified Him, and said: 'Laa ilaaha illa Allahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ‘alaa qulli shay’in qadeer. Laa ilaaha illa Allahu wahdahu, anjaza wa‘dahu, wa nasara ‘abdahu, wa hazamal ahzaaba wahdahu (None is truly worthy of worship but Allah alone, who has no partner. To Him belongs the dominion, to Him belongs all praise, and He has power over everything. He fulfilled His promise, gave victory to His servant, and defeated the confederates Alone.)'” [Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet declared and confirmed Tawheed because there were symbols of polytheism in these places. Allah The Almighty revealed (what means):
{Indeed, As-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs ‘Umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them.} [Quran 2:158] ‘Urwah asked his maternal aunt ‘Aa’ishah “There is no blame upon a person for not walking between them (as if he understood from this verse that there is no blame if one does not perform Tawaf between Safa and Marwah).” ‘Aa’ishah said, “O my nephew, it is not that! The Ansar (Madinan helpers) would intend Tawaf for an idol called Manat which they used to glorify (before they embraced Islam), so when they were about to perform Tawaf with the Messenger of Allah they were embarrassed lest they would be glorifying what they used to glorify before Islam. Therefore, Allah The Almighty lifted the blame and the Prophet declared that their Tawaf and Sa‘y were for the sake of Allah alone and a nullification of all aspects of polytheism and attachment to other than Allah. Hence, the Prophet said: 'Indeed, Tawaf around the House and (Sa‘y) between As-Safa and Al-Marwah and casting the pebbles were all established for the remembrance of Allah The Almighty.'”
These are apparent matters that are done jointly by the heart, tongue and acts of all other bodily organs. Takbir (saying, 'Allahu akbar') is evident in Hajj because the Prophet said so and did so often. Upon casting the pebbles, he would say: “Bismillaah wa Allahu akbar (In the Name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest).” He would pronounce Takbir upon slaughtering the sacrificial animal saying: “Bismillaah wa Allahu Akbar. Allahumma hatha minka wa ilayak (In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is from You (Your bounty) and for Your sake.)” Also, it is a well-known Sunnah to declare Takbir during ‘Eid and the Days of Tashriq (the three days that follow 'Eid).
The Prophet very obviously did not follow the way of the polytheists. His actions were a proclamation that establishing Tawheed is the sought way of life, the essence of Islam and the salvation of Muslims in this worldly life and in the Hereafter.
To be continued …
The Greatest Objective of Hajj - I