ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Jurisprudence Made Easy Dialogue on Hajj My father spoke of his experience of his first pilgrimage in a way akin to someone who had remembered a true love. I could see his true feeling in the twinkle of his eyes, the smile on his face, and the reverence of his words.

When I told him what I had noticed of his state, when he recalled that experience, he said to me: Yes, son, “Haven’t you recited the words of The Sublime, “And when We made the House a pilgrimage for men and a (place of) security..”. (2/125). And His words, quoting His Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.), “O our Lord! surely I have settled a part of my offspring in a valley unproductive of fruit near Thy Sacred House, our Lord!

that they may keep up prayer; therefore make the hearts of some people yearn towards them and provide them with fruits; haply they may be grateful”. (14/37). My heart longs for that Sacred House. My father cast his eyes down and, in a soft and melodious voice, recited poetry in praise of the Prophet (s.a.w.) and remembrance of the Holy places he had visited on his first pilgrimage.

Raising his eyes, and addressing me, he said, “My maiden hajj left an indelible mark in my heart, the memory of which is rekindled every year, especially, at the time of hajj. I always pray to the Almighty to grace me with the favour of making the trip to Mekkah time and again. There I interjected and asked him: * Is it obligatory that you go to hajj more than once? - No, it is obligatory to do hajj once, provided you can afford it. Allah says in His Holy Book, “..

and pilgrimage is incumbent on men for the sake of Allah, (on) every one who is able to undertake the journey to it..” (3/97). Any number of pilgrimages made after the first one is mustahab. * Would you tell me the story of your first pilgrimage, which is so close to your heart? - I went to “al-Juhfa”, one of the mawaqeet (sites appointed by Islamic sharia law for pilgrims to wear their ihram).

After I took off my clothes, I made niyyah for umrah tamatu’, leading to hajj, seeking the pleasure of and closeness to Allah, I put on my ihram (special two-piece seamless attire worn by pilgrims. Also, the state of consecration during which the pilgrim refrains from certain acts, such as not combing, not shaving, and observing sexual continence). One of these two white garments is worn like a sarong, and the other used to cover the shoulder and the upper body. I, then, chanted the talbiya.