Hujjatul Islam Ustad Syed Jawad Naqvi
(Principal Jamia Orwatul Wuthqa – Lahore)
Delivered at: Masjid Baitul ul Ateeq
Lahore – Pakistan
Friday Sermon – 14th June, 2024
Sermon 1: Hajj without disassociation from tyrants of the era is not Hajj
Sermon 2: Day of Eid Al-Adha should be day of protests against tyranny on Palestine
One of the sources and field of Taqwa where man has to be present as expressed by Quran is Hajj. It is a comprehensive worship. Why Hajj is such kind of worship and is also source of Taqwa? Based on wisdom present inside Hajj it is superior than all other acts of worship as it is the collection of all other worships.
Worship is one dimension of religion equivalent to twelfth part of religion. Hajj is the statue of entire religion and not just worship. Hajj is not comprehensive in context to worship only but instead it is a physical form of ideology and everything in religion. Quran has presented religion as a manifesto which scholars separated into theology, Fiqh , ethics for the sake of teaching. But Quran presents all together interconnected with each other and by expressing each part separately it loses the connectivity between them which has happened today. Like Fiqh today has no relationship with other dimensions of religion. Martyr Motahari and other elderly scholars say that this separation has resulted into loss of various things from religion. Just like connectivity and relationship between parts of body constitutes the reality of body. The religion is also like this and those who study religion as system and way Allah has descended are few to the extent of just one in a century. When you learn Quran, you separate letters and study them, but the letters are not Quran.
One teacher separated one part of religion and others thought religion is also like this and they went on copying each other. In Quran the book of worship, Salaat, Zakat and then faith were all descended as separate chapters. For the sake of education, they were separated which was good but they need to be later connected and joined as well. But when an amateur does this, he is not able to join later like a car going to a novice.
Hajj has worship and apart from worship things like cognizance, faith, theology etc. is all present in Hajj. There is not much of talking, reciting in Hajj and the only obligatory recitation is Labbaik which is also kept for expressing something. Hajj is a workshop like we do in our Madrassah and schools where the students are made to perform practical acts for the sake of learning. The weakness in theoretical studies is covered up in workshop by practical acts.
Allah has kept this workshop for development of believers. Taking lectures for learning is like primary class. For the sake of acquiring those talents required for achieving purpose of life is present in Hajj where you have to do workouts. Quran has expressed Hajj as the means of acquiring Taqwa as well. In Surah Baqarah verse 157
الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَعْلُومَاتٌ ۚ فَمَنْ فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ الْحَجَّ فَلَا رَفَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِي الْحَجِّ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ يَعْلَمْهُ اللَّهُ ۗ وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَاتَّقُونِ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ {197}
The pilgrimage is (performed in) the well-known months; so whoever determines the performance of the pilgrimage therein, there shall be no intercourse nor fornication nor quarrelling amongst one another; and whatever good you do, Allah knows it; and make provision, for surely the provision is the guarding of oneself, and be careful (of your duty) to Me, O men of understanding.
Hajj is for certain period and not like Umrah which can be done anytime. The verse says you cannot do certain things during Hajj like intercourse, quarrelling with each other. If you do any goodness during Hajj then that is known by Allah. Then you should carry your provisions of the route along and when you gather provisions for going to Hajj then the best provision is Hajj. The best Hajj is for the person who is disciplined by Taqwa. The command of acquiring Taqwa is giving to those who are Ulul Albab.
The beginning of Hajj starts in a beautiful manner because as I mentioned that entire religion takes a physical form during Hajj. The entire Hajj is practical and these acts are entire religion. When you summarize various aspects of religion in a practical form it is Hajj. The first thing in Hajj which is given a physical form is monotheism. Then Hajj is physical form of Bethat of Prophets and is a scene of Bethat to know how Bethat happens. Allah aroused Prophets and they aroused people and when people get aroused its practical scene is Hajj. Then Hajj has practical essence of Imamat. In Hajj Imamat is present across every act of Hajj and all pilgrims acquire the form of Ummat and get connected practically with Imamat. Hence Hajj is the workshop of Imam where Imam is in front leading the Ummah on the journey of Hajj. Prophet Ibrahim was instructed to construct the house of monotheism and then he was told to invite people and he was made Imam of these people. Ibrahim delivered all the responsibilities ordained on him. Ibrahim did not leave anything incomplete due to various problems, difficulties, challenges that come.
وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ {124}
And when his Lord tried Ibrahim with certain words, he fulfilled them. He said: Surely, I will make you an Imam of men. Ibrahim said: And of my offspring? My covenant does not include the unjust, said He
Relatives, community all came in the way of Ibrahim and he traversed this journey. The father, guardian Azar is the biggest obstacle present in the path, the idol temple, Nimrod, marriage with Sarah, then love of child all became obstacles. Allah tested Ibrahim in all these fields of examinations and completed the journey of Ibrahim. It is essential to complete (Itmam) work which we undertake. Ibrahim was passed through various examinations from early life. Kalemat means divine orders and policies which Ibrahim fulfilled completed.
We have certain desires which if do not get fulfilled it has no effect on our life and hereafter. But if the purpose of life is not achieved, your responsibilities are not fulfilled then this is a big loss. To deliver these responsibilities is completion of all orders and duties from Allah making it reach perfection. If there are obstacles on the path then he should bear it with patience and perseverance (Sabr and Istiqamat). Prophet Ibrahim delivered this task and along with Lady Hajar (s.a) and Ismail (a.s) were part of it. When Ibrahim completed all the duties then Allah made Ibrahim Imam for everyone till Qayamat. Since this Imam made the house of monotheism, that is Holy Kaaba. The Kaaba has nothing in the stones whether you touch or kiss it or not does not matter, it is the representation of monotheism. Our people believe that these stones have some blessed current which if you touch all blessings, goodness will pass inside you. The Hajre Aswad is a symbol and you should not kiss it so that some current will pass inside you. The stone is neither your Lord, center and does not possess any specialty. All privileges are given to man who goes near to these stones. In our book , Secrets of Hajj has the wisdom, reasoning behind each and every act of Hajj. Allah got the Kaaba made from stones as the center of monotheism and Ibrahim was made Imam of monotheists. Ibrahim was made role model for the Ummah and to follow Ibrahim we are invited to Hajj. Like when you go to Meeqat then it is a place from where Ibrahim entered this house. This house was made prior to Masjid e Aqsa which has station of Prophets who were children of Ibrahim. Dawood made Masjid Aqsa who was amongst the children of Ibrahim.
Ibrahim was ordered to invite people towards this house which you have made.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَيَصُدُّونَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ الَّذِي جَعَلْنَاهُ لِلنَّاسِ سَوَاءً الْعَاكِفُ فِيهِ وَالْبَادِ ۚ وَمَنْ يُرِدْ فِيهِ بِإِلْحَادٍ بِظُلْمٍ نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ {25}
Surely (as for) those who disbelieve, and hinder (men) from Allah’s way and from the Sacred Mosque which We have made equally for all men, (for) the dweller therein and (for) the visitor, and whoever shall incline therein to wrong unjustly, We will make him taste of a painful chastisement.
وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَاهِيمَ مَكَانَ الْبَيْتِ أَنْ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِي شَيْئًا وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْقَائِمِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ {26}
And when We assigned to Ibrahim the place of the House, saying: Do not associate with Me aught, and purify My House for those who make the circuit and stand to pray and bow and prostrate themselves.
وَأَذِّنْ فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِنْ كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ {27}
And proclaim among men the Pilgrimage: they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path
The verse 25 says that disbelievers stop people coming to the House.
In verse 26, Bawwana means an allotted place which we selected for Ibrahim to make the house of Allah. Ibrahim is told that you have to be careful and not make anyone my associate. One is to make house , purify it for those who do Tawaf and do Salaat over here. In Surah Baqarah the mention was of constructing Kaaba and now here it is about purification. And then he is asked to invite people towards Hajj. There was no one present in that place because it was a barren land with nothing present. There is only Ibrahim and Ismael, but still he is asked to invite and people will come on their foot or weak rides from every remote path of the world. You should announce it. Why the people should come? In next verse
لِيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ ۖ فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ {28}
That they may witness advantages for them and mention the name of Allah during stated days over what He has given them of the cattle quadrupeds, then eat of them and feed the distressed one, the needy.
People should come to Hajj to witness the benefits present for them. They should remember Allah in proclaimed days and take benefit of the provisions present one of which is through animals here, which they should eat and give to needy and poor as well. This is the wisdom for inviting people to this house of Allah. The benefits present in Hajj can be acquired with Hajj only and not just sitting at home. The scholars should explain each and every ritual of Hajj with its purpose and benefits for man. In Arabic “Manafiyat” is every form of benefit that is material and non-materialistic, spiritual. Anything that has goodness for your purpose of life is benefit. In Hajj Allah has kept the benefits for Ummah which you have to witness. And every nation, era has different forms of benefits. So, what is the benefit for Ummat e Muslima in this era from Hajj?
Imam Khomeini (r.a) would say that if the Ummah does one Hajj of Ibrahim then all problems of them would get resolved. But this Hajj which is going on since centuries does not solve any problems of the Ummah and only gives commercial benefits to Saudi, Airlines, goods company, Hotels etc. They have closed the door of benefits of Ummah. The Ummah does not have this sense that we have been invited to avail benefits. You are going to Hajj on the invitation and call of Imam. Hence you have to do whatever Ibrahim, your Imam did. You have to do symbolically the same thing which Ibrahim did at every location there. Ibrahim is the Imam of people who should be followed.
Today whatever the Islamic world needs the most is the benefit of Hajj. Unity is the need for Muslims due to which Muslims are disgraced, lowly and handful of Jews are insulting and killing them. If this Hajj would have been Ibrahimi when these atrocities are going on in Gaza then this one Hajj was enough. The Hajj of Ibrahim is present in Quran but the Hajj we are doing now needs to be proved from where we got. Allah says in Quran that the essence of Allah is free from all Shirk. Those who are not doing disassociating from Shirk they have to prove from where they got this type of Hajj. Ibrahim is told to announce on Great day (that is Arafah) that Allah is free from polytheists and you are called here to do the same announcement of disassociation. In Surah Tauba verse no 3
وَأَذَانٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَوْمَ الْحَجِّ الْأَكْبَرِ أَنَّ اللَّهَ بَرِيءٌ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ۙ وَرَسُولُهُ ۚ فَإِنْ تُبْتُمْ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّكُمْ غَيْرُ مُعْجِزِي اللَّهِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ {3}
And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah and His Messenger are free from liability to the polytheists; therefore, if you repent, it will be better for you, and if you turn back, then know that you will not weaken Allah; and announce painful punishment to those who disbelieve.
In Arabic Azaan means announcement and this is the announcement of Allah and his Messenger, whereas the announcement of Jurists is not this. This announcement is of disassociation from Polytheists and Shirk. With whom we have to disassociation? That day when Holy Prophet (s) announced disassociation it was from those polytheists who have captured the Kaaba. Today the Taghoot from whom the Muslim world has to do disassociation? Bhule Shah says if you go to Mecca and read hundreds of sermons then also things don’t get resolved. You won’t achieve the purpose unless you do that divine act. All the people present in Mecca should announce disassociation with the tyrants of this era. If they do this then the problem of Gaza will get solved today. It is not that war will stop which is done by UN. Solving problem of Gaza is to punish and destroy the tyrant from this world. For this Allah has called you for Hajj and if you do not do this and return from Hajj then this is not Hajj. If you don’t do this then this is entertainment, trading and anything else. The Quranic Hajj is present in various chapters and see what kind of Hajj the pilgrims do? Is this Quranic? First Hajj has to be revived. The Friday prayers and Hajj are two workshops of development of Ummah, one is weekly and other yearly. If the development of Ummah would have been done in Friday and then this Ummah would have gone to Hajj this would have changed the world. Hajj is one that can solve the problems of entire Muslim Ummah and the biggest problem of Muslim Ummah is Palestine. You have gathered on Hajj for the conference of security of Muslim Ummah. Mecca should become place of security for entire Ummah, but if this Hajj comes in the leadership of Banu Ummah, Banu Abbas and Ale Saud, then this hajj gives benefits to infidels, tyrants, oppressors and not to Muslims. May Allah give us Taufeeq to understand the pure Islam of Mohammad (a) and to revive the Hajj and establishment of religion. May Allah give salvation to oppressed of Gaza.
SECOND SERMON
Today the Muslims have shown utmost lowliness. Israel, America , Arabs are the beast and then after them are their supporters and the spectators of Muslim world who are watching all this. Islam does not like to see this state. Today how much unbearable is the Muslim of today for Holy Prophet (s) because the oppression is on Ummat of Prophet (s) and human beings. They are being killed brutally. The resolutions are being done just as eye wash while oppression goes on. America got the resolution agreed and also gave the biggest supply of ammunitions to Israel as donation. America is supplying weapons to Ukraine around 50 bn$ and more than this is being donated to Israel.
I mentioned before as well that eradicating Hamas is a bigger need of Bin Salman , Egypt because they know if Hamas is successful then all the Taghoot’s will end. The reason for which they have enmity and want to end Islamic revolution is the same for Hamas. Hence, they are making full efforts to end Hamas and for this they want to destroy Palestine. Till now the military success which Israel has achieved is to get four hostages released. They could not destroy Hamas leadership as well. They have killed more than 40,000 children and women. Destroying cities is not war it is barbarism. Israel has lost the war completely. The purpose which they could not achieve through war they want to do through agreements and resolutions.
There is dispute within Israel cabinet. Netanyahu says if I stop Israel then I will lose entire political career. If he continues then entire Israel gets destroyed. They have this pressure that if the war continues it will drown entire Israel. Hezbollah is now directly attacking Israel and not in cautious manner like before. They are threatening Hezbollah that we will do the same in Lebanon which we did in Gaza and Hezbollah has challenged. When commanders get martyred is normal in war. Hezbollah, Hashad us Shabi in Iraq and Ansarullah in Yemen are destroying Israel. They can eradicate Israel. As Leader said Allah will destroy Israel through weak people. If they stop war here, then Israel will get respite for a short time but if they continue then Israel destruction is very near. Various countries are ending their relationship with Israel in terms of trading and diplomatic relationship. Arabs and Turkey are still in relationship. Spain wants to stand against Israel in war tribunal. If they stop war then there is some refuge for Israel but if they don’t then there is no way for Israel. Hamas is a group within Israel and does not get any support from outside. Israel could not be successful against them and the other three groups are Shia who are not classic armies, instead they Guerilla warriors who can target any location. The senior minister in Israel cabinet has resigned and ex-Army chief of Israel has told Netanyahu is a fool who should stop war immediately. If Hezbollah starts infiltration war inside Israel, then they won’t get path to run as well as Hezbollah will destroy the airports to not allow them to even run out. The cabinet of Israel were literally fighting yesterday whole day. And Allah will rub the nose in dust of Israel, Arabs through these Ababeel. But for the spectators they should not become animals during Eid. The Day of Eid al Adha should be transformed as the day of protest. Prophet Ibrahim was thrown in fire and he agreed. Hamas is the Ibrahim of today who proudly accepted to be thrown in fire and Allah will cool down this fire into garden of Ibrahim. Today all those who have jumped into this fire of Ibrahim Allah will give them success. May that day come when with the sacrifice of Palestinians, a real Eid will come.
