The Hajj Poem

The Hajj - A Poem by Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah Translated by Usama Hasan The Hajj[1] - The Journey By Him whose House the loving pilgrims visit, Responding with ihram at the appointed limit, Uncovering their heads in total humility Before One to Whom faces bow in servility. They exclaim in the valleys, "We have responded to You - All Praise is Yours, and Kingdom too!" He invited and they answered, with love and pleasure; When they called upon Him, nearer came the Divine treasure. You see them on their mounts, hair dusty and dishevelled, Yet never more content, never happier have they felt; Leaving homelands and families due to holy yearning, Unmoved are they by temptations of returning. Through plains and valleys, from near and far, Walking and riding, in submission to Allah. At the Ka'bah When they see His House - that magnificent sight For which the hearts of all creatures are set alight - It seems they've never felt tired before, For their discomfort and hardship is no more. Now the eye of the Lover drowns in its streams, It sees through its tears the goal of its dreams; Now for Allah, how many tears are issued, Each one being followed by a multitude? When the eye perceives the House, its darkness clears, And from the sorrowful heart, pain disappears; Vision cannot encompass this beautiful sight: Each glance returns with greater delight! No wonder at this, for when the Merciful preferred The House for Himself, it became most honoured. He clothed it in Majesty, a magnificent garment; Embroidered it with Beauty, a wonderful ornament! The hearts all love the House therefore, Awed and humbled, in respect and honour. 'Arafat Now to 'Arafat, hoping for Mercy and Forgiveness From the One overflowing with Generosity and Kindness; Now for Allah is that Magnificent Standing Like, though lesser than, the Day of Reckoning. The Irresistible draws near, His Majesty manifest, Boasting to His angels, for He is the Mightiest, "My slaves have come to Me so lovingly, I'll be Generous and Merciful, willingly. I have forgiven their sins, – to this you are witness – Fulfilled their hopes, and showered them with goodness." So joyous news! O people of that standing, When sins are forgiven and Mercy is spreading; How many slaves are set completely free? Whilst others seek a cure, and heal will He. Now Satan is never known to lose such face: He's blameworthy, rejected, in utter disgrace. For he sees a matter that enrage him must: He flees, slaps his face and covers it in dust! Such Forgiveness he never did see As granted by the Lord, and such Mercy! He built his edifice from every temptation available Till he thought it was complete, unassailable; Then Allah struck his building at its very foundation, So it fell upon him, tumbling in devastation; What worth has his structure, this evil ploy, That he does build, and the Lord does destroy? Muzdalifah & Mina Now to Muzdalifah, to spend the night In the Sacred Area, then Prayer at first light; Now on to the Great Pillar, which they need To stone at the time of the Prayer of 'Id; Now to their tents for the sacrifice prepared, Reviving the tradition of a Father revered. If sacrificing themselves were Allah's demand, They would respond, submitting to the command; Just as they'd expose their necks in Jihad To Allah's enemies, till these stream with blood; They discipline themselves, presenting the head for a shave: Bringing humility and happiness to the obedient slave. The Tawaf of Ifadah/Ziyarah So when they've removed those natural growths, Completed their rites, and fulfilled their oaths, He invites them again to visit His House: What honour and welcome this visit allows! By Allah, they visit it in so much splendour, Receiving their rewards and plenty of honour; There Allah bestows Grace, Favour and Kindness, Showing Generosity, Mercy and Forgiveness. Mina Then they return to Mina, each to his tent, Every minute wish is granted, and they are content; They stay there a day, then another, then a third, They're allowed to depart early, but to stay is preferred; They stone the pillars daily after the sun's decline, With a slogan of Takbir in the presence of the Divine! If only you could see their standing there: Palms outstretched, hoping for Mercy's share! "O Lord! O Lord! Knowing as You do That we hope for no-one, only You! Then grant our wish, O You All-Knowing, We pray for Your Mercy overflowing." The Farewell Tawaf When they've achieved at Mina all their gains, Once more they fill the valleys and plains: To the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, by the end of the day, To circle it seven times, and then to Pray. When departure nears and they are certain That the bond of proximity is about to loosen, There's only a last stand for a final farewell: Now for Allah are the eyes that swell, And for Allah are the heavy hearts that turn Into cauldrons of desire where fire does burn; And the passionate sighs whose heat so vigorous Nearly melts the Lover, ecstatic, rapturous! Now you see those bewildered, perplexed in the throng, Whilst others chant their sorrowful song: "I depart, but there remains for You my yearning, My fire of grief is raging and burning; I bid farewell, but longing pulls my reins - My heart is encamped in Your eternal plains!" No blame today for saying what you feel: No blame for expressing what you used to conceal! Footnotes (1) Taken from: Awdah al-Masalik ila Ahkam al-Manasik by 'Abd al-'Aziz al-Muhammad al-Salman, Riyadh, 12th edition, 1403 H, pp. 265-272. Rendered into English, with apologies for not doing justice to the Arabic original, by Usama Hasan. Many thanks to 'Abd al-Rahman al-Helbawy and Shaykh Suhaib Hasan for their help with some difficult words. Muharram 1423 / March 2002. Related Links: Journey of a Lifetime - Crisp, Succint & official Small booklet - 11 Pages [PDF] Printed and Distributed By Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da'awah and Guidance, Kingdom of Daudi Arabis Rites of Hajj and Umrah - by Shaik Nasiruddin Albanee Simple Hajj Guide - doc - by Shaik Nasiruddin Albanee The Fiqh of Hajj - by: Shaik Nasiruddin Albanee (rahimahullaah) [PDF] An excellent 18 page treatise upon the excellence of Hajj and its rulings. Taken from Silsilah Ahadeeth As-Saheehah& Silsilah AhadeethAd-Daeefah . Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya A Guide to Hajj & Umraa - Saudi Govt Hajj and Tawheed - Dr. Saleh as-Saleh [PDF] This booklet explains the basic rights of Hajj. It also notes that the Tawheed of Allaah requires the muslim to follow the perfect way of worship, demonstrated by Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallaam, and as understood by the Companions who were the best of mankind.