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The next group of long verses (2:196 to 2:203) deals with some of the rites and rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage. We hardly see any unique, original Islamic contributions in the area of legislation and custom. These are taken, and as we saw, often misinterpreted, from existing belief systems. This is also the case when it comes to the rites of the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
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The Pilgrimage
2:196-197 “Fulfil the Pilgrimage and the Visitation of Allah’s house. But if you are prevented, send an offering such as you can afford. But do not shave your heads, till the offering reaches its place of sacrifice. If any of you is sick, or injured in his head, then his redemption is by fast, offering, or ritual sacrifice.
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When you are secure, then whosoever enjoys the Visitation until the Pilgrimage, let his offering be such as may be feasible; or if he finds none, then a fast of three days in the Pilgrimage, and of seven when you return, that is ten completely. That is for him whose family are not present at the Holy Mosque. And fear Allah, and know that Allah is terrible in retribution.
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The pilgrimage is the well-known months, so whoever undertakes the performance of the pilgrimage in them, there shall be no intercourse, transgression or quarrelling. And whatever good you do, Allah knows it; and make provision, for surely the provision is the guarding of oneself, and fear me, O men of heart.”
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The shaving of the head used to signify the completion of the pilgrimage. Nowadays it is done at the completion of the Umrah, the first part of the Hajj.
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The “well known months” for pilgrimage are the last three months of the Islamic calendar: Shawwal, Dhu al-Qaeda and Dhu al-Hijja. Nowadays, the Hajj is only performed on the last month, Dhu al-Hijja (from the 8th to 13th of the month).
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Fasting in lieu of offering makes sense, as those who cannot afford the offering wouldn’t find fasting too difficult.
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Making provision means bringing their own food, as food in Mecca would be scarce and pricy during the Hajj season.
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“Men of heart” or “those of heart”, means “men of intelligence and understanding”. The Arabic expression is “ya oli al-alab”. “Alb” or “Qalb” is “heart” in Arabic (the consonant “Q” is often interchangeable with the consonant “A”). The heart was considered the seat of knowledge and understanding.
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2:198 “There is no blame on you in seeking bounty from your Lord, so when you run down from “Arafat”, remember Allah near the Holy Monument, and remember Him as He has guided you, though before that you were certainly of the erring ones.”
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Yes, it is ok to hold on to your existing pagan practices. But just remember: now it is my version of Allah that you should worship, not yours, and he has forgiven your erring ways of the past. Seeking bounty means engaging in commercial activities.
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During the Hajj many people set up shop and took advantage of the occasion, selling provisions and other goods to the pilgrims. Muhammad did not dare do away with this practice.
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Running down from mount Arafat near Mecca, to another mountain called “Muzdalifa”, was a pagan custom. These pagans were fitness-conscience, what with running around mountains.
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You may recall in verse 2:158 they were running to and from and around Safa and Marwa. Now they are running from Arafat to Muzdalifa. I think it is great. The Holy Monument alluded to in our verse is another mountain beyond Muzdalifa, called Quza.
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2:199 “Then hasten on from the Place from which the people hasten on and ask the forgiveness of Allah, as Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” The identity of the place is not clear. It could be the valley of Mina.
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It is All About the Hereafter
2:200-202 “So when you have performed your devotions, then praise Allah as you praised and commemorated your fathers, but a more devoutly. And there are some people who say, Our Lord, give us in the world, and they shall have no place in the world to come. And there are some among them who say, Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire – they shall have portion of what they have earned, and Allah is swift in reckoning.”
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Here again, the Believers are permitted to hold on to their pagan custom of honouring their ancestors during the pilgrimage celebrations, but are warned to make sure they honour Allah more. The custom of asking Allah to give them plenty in this world is amended, to include pleading for Allah’s good in the Hereafter, and escaping the fire of Hell.
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It appears that the pagans were practical and enjoyed the material life: they were interested in making the most of this world. Muhammad was going to change that: he needed followers who were willing to trade the good of this world and their own lives with those of the next.
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In other words, they should not fear dying in Allah’s cause, as they will be granted the good of the next world. Furthermore, if they reject this concept, swift chastisement awaits them. In case you wondered how “suicide bombers” are recruited, now you know.
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2:203 continues the Hajj instructions: “And praise Allah during the numbered days; then whoever hastens off in two days, there is no blame on him. And whoever remains behind, there is no blame on him, he is god-fearing. And be god-fearing, and know that you shall be gathered together to Him.”
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This is in reference to the sacrifice offering conducted in the valley of Mina at the end of the Hajj, in Eid al Ad’ha. The numbered days are three, however the Believers were allowed to leave after two days, or stay longer than three days. That would make it 10th to the 12th or the 13th of Dhu al-Hijja.
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The pre Islamic pagan Hajj celebrations and rituals were introduced into Islam almost unchanged. They were modified only to include references to Allah and the hereafter.
Present Day Hajj Customs
Just to make sure you understand what the Hajj customs are, here is a quick summary:
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Umrah: The first activity of the Hajj. It may be performed any time of the year, and not necessarily at the Hajj season, as a single independent rite. If it is done during Hajj season, it is done on the 8th day of the Hajj month (Dhu al-Hijja). It involves the circumambulation of the Ka’bah seven times counter-clockwise, running, or fast paced walking between Safa and Marwa, and a short haircut or complete shaving of the head (for women, a symbolic cut of small quantity of hair).
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The following day, pilgrims stand on mount Arafat, contemplating, until sunset. This is where Muhammad is said to have given his last sermon.
At sunset they go to mount Muzdalifa, and collect 49 stones to be thrown at the devil the next day. They spend the night there.
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The next day, the pilgrims throw stones at the devil. They throw seven stones on one main pillar, and then seven at each of the three pillars. This is the 10th of Dhu al-Hijja, which is also called “Eid al-Ad’ha”, or the festival of the sacrifice, where the pilgrims slaughter animals.
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The next day they repeat the stone throwing at the three devil pillars.
The next day the pilgrims circumambulate the Ka’bah seven times again, and then they leave Mecca.
