Altaf Hussain Hali

Labbaik: The story of my Hajj (Part 1)

Posted by

1

Mohsin Aziz

The land is barren. Not a blade of grass. No sign of life. Nobody has ever lived there. It is inhospitable and is rightly called wadi ghair zee zara ì.e. valley where nobody lives and nothing grows.  From distance, one can see three silhouettes. What are these three people doing there? Who are they? An old man, a woman, and a newborn baby boy. The baby is still nursing.

The old man puts some dates and water in a water skin near the women and the infant and starts walking away. The woman gets worried and calls him asking ‘where are you going, Abraham, leaving us in this barren valley?’ Abraham kept quiet and kept walking. The women repeated her question but again did not get any answer. Abraham kept walking silently. When after repeatedly asking the question and not getting any answer, the woman understood that her husband is not acting on his own initiative but on divine instruction. Finally, she asked him:’Did Allah command you to do so?’ Ibrahim replied in affirmative. After confirming from Ibrahim that he was leaving his wife and child in the barren, lifeless valley at the command of Allah, Hajar said the famous sentence dripped in faith ‘ We are not going to be lost, since Allah Who has commanded you is with us’ (Sahih al Bukhari, 3363 and 3364).

Little did these three knew that they had been chosen for a very special task by their Lord. Who would have thought that their actions and their struggle to survive would one day become an article of faith for billions of Muslims from around the world. Who would have thought that a place where nothing grew and nobody lived would be a dream destination for billions. That they would weep and pray to be there. That the mere mention of the place would tear up the eyes of millions. Who would have thought that people would travel from all corners of the world using all possible means of transportation to reach there just once in their lifetime. This is the story of hajj and umrah, pilgrimages performed by millions every year. The story started with the arrival of these three to this place, then called Bakkah.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. The other four are: Shahada (declaration of faith), Salaat (prayer), Zakaat (religious charity), and saum (fasting) in the month of Ramadan. Out of the five pillars of Islam, it is only hajj, which requires both health and wealth. That’s why it is required to be performed only once in a lifetime provided the person has means. It’s neither compulsory nor possible for the poor. Similarly, despite becoming much easier compared to the past, hajj is still a physically strenuous activity. It’s better to perform it as early as possible. Hajj is a special in the sense that each and every aspect of it is connected to the family of Ibrahim. All the arkan of the Hajj are connected to the different incidents related to either Ibrahim or his second wife Hajra or his son from Hajra, i.e. Ismail.

Ibrahim was a curious child from the beginning. His father, Azar, was an idol maker. He used to make idols that were worshipped by his nation. However, Ibrahim was not convinced that the statues made by his father were God’s to be worshipped. He refused to accept them as God’s and often used to ponder as to who is the real God. Ibrahim told his people that ‘Worship you that which you (yoursel) carve’ (Al Quran, Surah Al Saffat:95). Ibrahim’s story is full of sacrifices and unflinching faith in Allah. His life was total submission to Allah. He was put in fire, had to leave his home, had to leave his family in Makkah, and was asked to sacrifice his son. He did not hesitate even once. Quran describes his life beautifully.

‘When his Lord said to him ‘submit’, he said ‘I have submitted (in Islam) to the Lord of the world’s’  (Al Quran, Surah al Baqarah: 131).

Allah was so pleased with Ibrahim that He gave Ibrahim the title of  Khalilullah, i.e., friend of Allah. Quran declares that ‘And who  can be better in religion than who submits his face (himself) to Allah. And follow the relgion of Ibrahim Hanifa. And Allah did take Ibrahim as a khalil (Surah Al Nisa:125) and declared at another place in the Quran:

‘And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim except him who befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world, and verily, in the hereafter, he will be among the righteous (Al Quran, Surah al Baqarah:130).

He was married to Sarah. They were issueless. When Sarah was given a girl servant named Hajra (Hajar). Sarah suggested to Ibrahim that he should marry Hajar in the hope that they may have a child. Ibrahim married Hajar  by the command of Allah.

Hajra (Hajar)

The story of Hajar is very interesting. She was a servant of Ibrahim’s (a.s.) first wife, Sarah. Once, Ibrahim was travelling with Sarah, and they passed by the territory of a tyrant. The tyrant was told that Ibrahim was travelling with a very charming lady. He sent for Ibrahim and asked him,’Who is this lady?’ Ibrahim said, ‘She is my sister.’ Later, Ibrahim went to Sarah and told her that there were no believers on this earth except him and her. He told her,’ This man asked me about you, and I have told him that you are my sister, so you don’t contradict my statements. The tyrant then called Sarah, and when she went to him, he tried to take hold of her with his hand, but (his hand got stiff) he was confounded. He asked Sarah, ‘Pray to Allah for me, and I shall not harm you.’ So Sarah asked Allah to cue him, and he got cured. He tried to take hold of her for the second time, but  (his hand got as stiff as (or stiffer than) before and) was more confounded. He again requested Sarah, ‘Pray to Allah for me, and I will not harm you.’ Sarah asked Allah again, and he became right. He then called one of his guards (who had brought her) and said, ‘You have not brought me a human being but have brought me a devil.’ The tyrant then gave Hajar as a girl-servant to Sarah. Sarah came back to Ibrahim while he was offering salat. Ibrahim, gesturing with his hand, asked, ‘What has happened?’ She replied,’Allah has spoiled the evil plot of the infidel or immoral person) and gave me Hajar for service’ (Sahih al Bukhari,  3358).

Ismail (a.s.)

Ibrahim a.s. had two sons – Ismail and Ishaq. Ismail was the elder one born to the second wife of Ibrahim a.s.,  Hajra. The younger son, Ishaq a.s. was born to the first wife, Sarah. Both the sons were given prophethood like their father. Ibrahim had prayed for his family to be the establisher of prayer. Allah did accept the prayer of His friend. Not only were both sons given prophethood, but prophethood was given to their offspring as well. Among the descendents of Ishaq a.s. (Isaac),  there is an impressive list of well-known prophets till Isa a s. (Jesus). Starting with Ishaqs son Yaqub a.s. (Jacob) There is Yusuf (Joseph), Musa a.s. (Moses),  Harun a.s. (Aaron), Dawood a.s. (David),  Sulaiman a.s. (Solomon), Younus a.s. (Jonah), Zulkifli a.s. (Ezikeil), Alyasa a.s. (Elisha) , Ilyas a.s. (Elijah), Zakaria a.s. (Zachariah), Ayyub a.s. (Job),  Yahya a.s. (John)  and finally Isa a.s. (Jesus).

On the other hand,  there were no prophets in the lineage of Ismail a.s. for number of generations. There is only one Prophet among his progeny. It is the last messenger of Allah, Hazrat Mohammad s.a.w.

Hui pehlu e Amna se huwaida

Dua e Khalil aur naveed e Masiha

(Altaf Hussain Hali, 1889)

Ismail Zabihullah

It is established belief among Muslims that it was Ismail who was offered for slaughtering by Ibrahim a.s. hence, he is referred to as Ismail Zabihullah. However Jews claim that it was Ishaq a.s. (Isaac) who was offered for sacrifice. Imam Hamiduddin Farahi, in his research, has comphensively proven that it was Ismail who was offered for sacrifice (Farahi, Hamiduddin, 1999).

The Holy Quran mentions the sacrifice and submission of Ibrahim and Ismail in the following words:

‘And he said (after his rescue from the fire): ‘Verily! I am going to my God. He will guide me!. My Lord Grant me (offspring) from the righteous. So We gave him the glad tidings of a forebearing boy. And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said, ‘O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to Allah), so look what you think!’ He said! ‘O my father! Do that which you are commanded, InshAllah (if Allah will), you shall find me   As- sabirin (the patient ones, etc.’). Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the will of Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering). And We called out to him: ‘O Ibrahim!’ You have fulfilled the dream! Thus do we reward the Muhsinun. Verily! That indeed was a manifest trial. And We ransome him with a great sacrifice (i.e., a Ram). And we left for him (a goodly remembrance) among generations (to come) in later times. Salamun (peace) be upon Ibrahim. Thus indeed do We reward the Muhsinun. Verily! He was one of Our believing slaves’ (Quran, Surah Al Saffat:99-111).

(To be continued in part 2)

References:

Altaf Hussain Hali (1889) Musaddas e  Hali, Musamma be Mad o Jazar e Islam. Maktaba Murtazvi: Delhi.

Al Quran. Interpretations of the meaning of THE NOBLE QURAN in the English language. Muhsin Khan. Darussalam Publications, 2011.

Farahi, Hamiduddin (1999) Al Raay al sahi fi man huwa al dhabih. Damascus: Darul Qalam.

Sahih al Bukhari (2015) The translation of the meaning of Sahih al Bukhari (Arabic-English) Vol 4. Ahadith 2738 to 3648. Translated by Muhammad Muhsin Khan. Darussalam : Riyadh.

100 Years of Aligarh Muslim University: The Journey Continues

Posted by

0

Author: Mohsin Aziz

This month Aligarh Muslim University celebrated its Centenary. Series of events are planned at the University for this joyous occasion. The Story of Aligarh Muslim University started after the first war of independence in 1857. At that time, Sir Syed was posted at Bijnour as Sadr Amin. He saw the destruction brought upon Indians and particularly Muslims after the Colonial Power suppressed the independence movement. Sir Syed was deeply affected by what he saw. He was so distraught that he even planned to migrate to some other country. Sir Syed decided to stay and work for the upliftment for the community as he himself said that it would be an act of cowardice to leave the community in such dire straits at such crucial stage of their history and settle abroad.

To achieve his aim of uplifting the community from the quagmire of poverty and illiteracy that it found itself, Sir Syed worked simultaneously at several fronts. While on the one hand he was trying to inculcate scientific temperament among the Indian Muslims by establishing Scientific Society in 1864 and bringing out magazine like Tehzeeb-ul- Akhlaq (Mohammedan Social Reformer) in 1871. On the other he was urging them to adopt modern education. Naturally he faced multi faceted opposition also.

It was on 1 April 1869 he embarked on a journey of England where his son, Syed Mehmood, got scholarship for higher education. Sir Syed’s stay in England lasted for 17 months. The visit brought major change in Sir Syed’s outlook. Although the underlying factor for his England visit was to collect material to write rebuttal of Sir William Muir’s book on Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him). During his stay in England Sir Syed visited colleges and universities and was inspired to started a “Muslim Cambridge” back home. Back in India, Sir Syed hit the ground running and immediately started working on his plan.

After seeing the advancement in Science and Technology, Sir Syed realised that the only way forward for the community was to embrace the new Science. However, back in India he faced stiff resistance from the community as the community felt that educating their children in English would make them Christaan (Christian). Despite all the adversities Sir Syed showed his character and stood his ground and worked till his death to achieve his purpose. He was lucky in a sense that he got the support of many intellectuals of his times. Similarly many in the landed aristocracy wholeheartedly supported him. Among the intellectual giants who supported Sir Syed in his endeavour are Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali, Allama Shibli Nomani, Nawab Muhsinul Mulk etc. Personally Sir Syed did everything to raise funds for his College. He begged, danced on stage, played lottery, sang on stage and what not. In his last message Sir Syed said that “

To achieve his goal of uplifting the Muslim community, he started Madrasatul Uloom Musalmanan-e-Hind at Aligarh. The Madrasa opened its doors to students on 24 May 1875 to coincide with the 56th birthday of Queen Victoria. Two years down the line it became Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College at Aligarh on 8 January 1887. The inaugural function of the establishment of the College was presided by the the then Viceroy and Governor General of India, Lord Lytton, in the presence of Sir Syed and other dignitaries. Lord Lytton laid the foundation stone of the college. The address presented by Sir Syed to the Lord Lytton said that “from the seed we sow today, there may spring a mighty tree, whose branches like those of banyan of the soil, shall in their turn strike firm roots into the earth, and themselves send forth new and vigorous sapling: that this college may expand in a University whose sons shall go forth throughout the length and breadth of the land to preach the gospel of free enquiry, of large hearted toleration and of pure morality ”

Later when Lord Ripon, the Viceroy, visited Aligarh in 1884, Sir Syed said: “Some day when our endowments are sufficient, we would request the Government to confer upon us the legal status of an independent University.” In July 1906, Badruddin Tyabji said in an address to the Aligarh College Association in England: “If, as I hope, Aligarh develops into a university it will become the centre of attraction of education for all Mohammedans, not only from the various Mohammedan schools and colleges of India, but also, it may be, from all other parts of the Mohammedan world“. The college later became University on 9 September 1920 through a bill passed in the Imperial Legislative Assembly.

Today Aligarh Muslim University is one of the Central University of the Republic of India and has been consistently ranked amongst the India’s best Universities. The University is spread over 467.6 hectares (1155 acres) in the city of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. Presently the University offers more than 300 courses in the traditional and modern branches of education. The University has about 28000 students, more than 1300 teaching staff and about 5600 non teaching staff on its rolls. The University boasts of 12 faculties comprising of 98 teaching departments. Besides there are 3 academies and 15 centers and institutions in the University. However, the heart and the soul of the University is its residential character. Most of the staff and students reside inside the campus. There are 19 halls of residence for students with 80 hostels. Besides the University runs one primary school and seven high schools including one for the visually challenged and two senior secondary schools, one each for boys and girls.

There are ample opportunities for sports and cultural activities on campus thus providing for all round development of students. The University maintains Willingdon Cricket Ground for Cricket, Meston Swimming pool for swimming, Gymkhana, Hockey field with asto turf besides several football grounds, skating rink, basketball, volleyball and Lawn Tennis facilities. The University also has a hiking and mountaineering club. However, the University Riding Club is its crowning glory. It is more than 100 years old riding club with excellent horses and coaching facilities. Riding Club has its own riding ground for practice. Yours truly is a former member of the riding club having earned my horsemanship certificate from Janab Hamid Ansari Sahib during his tenure as Vice Chancellor of the University. For Cultural activities there is General Education Centre which boasts of Kennedy Auditorium. The activities in General Education Centre are organised through Drama Club, Music Club (Hindustani and Western Music), Literary Club and Film Club.

The University also runs three off campus in the districts of Malappuram (Kerala), Murshidabad (Bengal) and Kishanganj (Bihar). These campuses offer MBA and integrated B.A.L.L.B. courses.

Its alumni are spread all over the length and breadth of the globe as envisaged by the sage himself. The alumni of the University have established schools, colleges and universities all over the globe and have advanced the cause of education. However, there is still lot to be done particularly in India. Various reports make it clear that Muslims in India lack behind other communities in education. The situation is even worst when it comes to higher education. It is time for Muslims of India to take initiative and invest all their time, energy and money in raising their educational standards. It is time for them to rededicate themselves to learning and contribute even more to the progress and prosperity of India and humanity at large.