Visiting the Messenger of Allah (1)

The Farewell Tawaf [Pilgrims’ last circumambulation of the Ka‘bah directly before leaving Mecca; it is also called Tawaf Al-Sadr] must be the last act you perform in Mecca, before departing to your country or to Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah [Medina, The Lightened City]. This Tawaf must not be left out except in exceptional circumstances, for it must be performed by everyone, except for the menstruating woman, as it is not asked from her to wait a week till she performs the Farewell Tawaf. But as for the Ifadah Tawaf [Pilgrims’ circumambulation of the Ka‘bah upon their return from Muzdalifah] she must wait till she performs it, as it is one of the cornerstones of the Hajj.

The Farewell Tawaf raised controversies among Imams, whether it is an act of Sunnah [The way of life prescribed as normative in Islam, based on the teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and on exegesis of the Noble Qur’an] or not?

The Maliki [founded by Imam Malik bin Anas 93-189 A.H.] and the Hanafi [founded by Imam Abu Hanifah Al-Nu‘man 80-150 A.H.] Juristic Schools judged that it is a Sunnah, while Imam Ahmad and Ash-Shafi’y, judged that it is an enjoined duty, but what is the difference between the enjoined duty and the obligation? The enjoined duty is proven by certain undoubted evidence, but as for the obligation it is proven by hypothetical evidence. Only the followers of Imam Abu Hanifah differentiate between the duty and the obligation, but for others duty is like obligation.

Why then do not we adopt the more reliable course? Why do not we fully and perfectly perform our rituals, in a way that leaves no doubt? For the one who does not perform the Farewell Tawaf must slaughter a sacrifice; he is obliged to offer a ransom, the ransom of Farewell Tawaf.

To have the Tawaf raised and accepted by Allah, it must be the last ritual you perform before leaving Mecca. Do not perform the Tawaf and then stay in Mecca to do some shopping, or sit in a hotel, or try to rearrange your plans and see the gifts you will bring to your relatives and friends. Rather perform the Tawaf and then get instantly into the car that will transport you outside Mecca, for there is nothing on the face of the universe higher than the House of Allah.

To all people the Hajj journey is never spiritually complete except by visiting the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in the Lightened City (Medina). Those who arrive a while before the Hajj time, usually go to Medina first, assume the state of Ihram [The sacred state of practicing great self-denial into which a Muslim must enter before performing Hajj or ‘Umrah, during which certain actions are forbidden (like having conjugal relations, shaving, cutting one’s nails, and several other actions) nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly. In this sacred state the dress of Muslim pilgrims consists of two lengths of white cotton, one wrapped around the loins, the other thrown over the left shoulder. Ihram clothes for women should fully cover the body except the face, hands and feet] and then set off to Mecca to perform the Hajj rituals. As for those who only arrive days before the Hajj time, they first perform the Hajj rituals and then go to visit the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in Medina.

Some people say that the Hajj made without visiting the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is judged as if it were not performed, which is an opinion that represents a psychological import and not a legalistic judgment. For the soul that dearly loves the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) does not accept going to Hajj without visiting the beloved Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in Medina. It is a logical matter; the believers love the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and Allah, all praise and glory be to Him, says (what means):

“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful’” (Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:31)

The visit is not a cornerstone, but…

The faith of a Muslim is not real true till the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) becomes dearer to the Muslim than his own soul between his two sides of body. This visit though not a cornerstone of the Hajj, constitutes a matter of heart and soul. Allah, Whose Majesty reigns supreme, willed that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) resides in Medina, and he used to tell its inhabitants, “I will live with you and will die with you,” a prophecy that he would live in Medina and would die there, which Almighty Allah had revealed to him, in order not to contradict the Qur’anic verse in which The Most Exalted says (what means):

“And no soul knows in what land it will die.”(Surah Luqman, 31:34)

It happened at the time when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) distributed the booty after the Battle of Hunain, that he gave the people but did not give the Ansar (the Supporters). The Ansar felt hurt that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) deprived them from their share in the booty. Thus, the youth among them said, ‘May Allah forgive the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, he gives the Quraish and leaves us, although our swords are dribbling with their blood.’ Upon hearing this, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) summoned them in his tent and told them, ‘Would it not please you that people go away with sheep and camels while you go with the Messenger of Allah?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ Upon which the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘If people pursued a valley and the Ansar pursued a mountain pass, I would pursue the mountain pass of the Ansar.’  Thus, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) foretold the Ansar that his death would be in Medina.

If someone wondered saying, ‘How could this happen when only Allah knows the Unseen.’ We answer by saying that it is true that none save Allah knows the Unseen, but Allah reveals it to whomever He wills. Furthermore, Allah ordered His Messenger in the Noble Qur’an to say (what means):

“Nor (that) I know the unseen; nor I tell you that I am an angel.” (Surah Al-An‘am, 6:50)

Thus, visiting the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in Medina is not one of the Hajj rituals, but rather one of the properties of Islam.

Allah, all praise and glory be to Him, has chosen for His Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) to die in Medina as a sign of veneration and an exaltation of his rank, so that his visit would not be secondary to visiting the Sacred House of Allah, but would rather be an independent visit specially paid to him. People thus come to perform Hajj, and after finishing its rituals, they ride in their cars crossing a distance of 500 kilometers through mountains and deserts to visit the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in Medina. They pay the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) a special visit, out of their deep love to him. A visit not made along with another but constitutes the sole purpose, crossing long miles for its sake.

(Continued)