Islam

Friday Sermon: The End Time or Eschaton

Published

3 years ago

January 21, 2022

Eric

By Babatunde Jose

Despite the ongoing quest for solutions to the problem that life is a terminal condition immortality remains a dream—or, as Jorge Luis Borges intimated in “The Immortal,” a nightmare.

Life is a cosmic accident—a view held by physicists such as Murray Gell-Mann. To date, around 99.9 percent of all species ever to have inhabited Earth have become extinct. Furthermore, in another 100 years from now 99.9% of all people living today would be dead, including those born as we write this.

Each year, around the world, over fifty-nine million people die—roughly the entire population of the world at the time King David ruled over the Israelites. In other words, roughly 160,000 people die each day. Around 60 percent of those who die are sixty-five or older.

In the first half of 2020, roughly 510,000 people worldwide died of COVID-19.

Even if we avoid the fate of the dinosaurs, “in about 3.5 billion years, the growing luminosity of the sun will essentially have sterilized the Earth’s biosphere and bring about the end of complex life on Earth.

The “end time,” or eschaton (from the Greek eskhatos), is a feature of most of the world’s major religions, including the most ancient, Zoroastrianism.

Although Hindu eschatology assumes vast cycles of time, the one currently under way, Kali Yuga, is expected to end violently, when Kalki, the final incarnation of Vishnu, descends to “establish righteousness upon the earth.”

In Buddhism, too, there are apocalyptic scenes. Gautama Buddha prophesied that, after five thousand years, his teachings would be forgotten, leading to the moral degeneration of mankind.

Norse mythology, too, has its Ragnarök (twilight of the gods), in which a devastating great winter will plunge the world into darkness and despair. In the end, the ocean will completely submerge the world.

The Abrahamic religions, by contrast, have a linear cosmology: the end of days really is The End. Judaism foresees a Messianic Age with the return to Israel of the exiled Jewish Diaspora, the coming of the Messiah, and the resurrection of the dead.

Christianity offers a much richer version of the eschaton. Prior to the Second Coming of Christ (parousia), as Jesus himself told his followers, there would be a time of “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:15–22), “affliction” (Mark 13:19), or “days of vengeance” (Luke 21:10–33 offers the most detail of the Gospels).

The Revelation of Saint John offers perhaps the most striking of all visions of the end time—of a war in heaven between Michael and his angels and Satan, an interlude when Satan would be cast down and bound for a thousand years, after which Christ would reign for a millennium. After that, Satan would be unleashed, then thrown into a lake of burning sulfur, and, finally, the dead would be judged by Christ and the unworthy cast down into the fiery lake. The description of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse is astonishing. See (Revelation 6:1–8)

The day of wrath is heralded by a great earthquake, an eclipse of the sun, and a blood moon. The stars fall to the earth, and the mountains and islands are “moved out of their places.”

A clever feature of the Christian eschaton was the uncertainty Christ left in his disciples’ minds about its timing: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36).

The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 at the hands of Titus was interpreted by the early Christians as fulfillment of Jesus’s prophecy that the Second Temple would be destroyed, but the subsequent spectacular events Christ had prophesied did not materialize. By the time of Augustine of Hippo, it seemed prudent to downplay the millennium, as he did in The City of God (AD 426), consigning it to the realm of the unknowable.

Perhaps the decline of Christian millennialism helps explain the revolutionary impact of Islam when it arrived in the seventh century. In many respects, Islam simply dusted down the more exciting parts of Revelation.

Prophet Muhammad taught his followers that the Day of Judgment would be preceded by certain events which are categorized into minor and major events.

There are many other signs given by the Prophet which space will not allow us to relate here. But suffice to say that the Prophet mentioned ten major Signs of the Last Day:

• Dajjal — the false Messiah or Anti-Christ,

• Gog and Magog,

• Smoke,

• The beast of the earth or land (most likely the holy land),

• The sun would rise from the west,

• Three sinking of the earth

• one in the east

• One in the west

• and One in Arabia,

• A fire would come out of Yemen and would drive people to their place of assembly (for judgement),

• Jesus, The son of Mary would descend.

Other signs of the end time are:

• Homosexuality (and lesbianism) would become commonplace, and that is now happening before our very eyes. Social acceptance and legal protection for this abominable sexual perversion is gaining ground. Indeed, those who hold fast to the divine prohibition of such sexual perversion are now demonized as a people who suffer from a disease called ‘homophobia’;

• Children born outside of marriage would become commonplace, in fact marriage itself now seems destined to become obsolete.

• Fornication and adultery would become commonplace, that, also, appears to have already been fulfilled in a modern world in which virginity and marital fidelity are becoming old-fashioned.

• “Time would move swiftly—a year passing like a month—a month like a week—a week like a day” etc., and already the perception of swiftly moving time is a universal experience.

• Prevalence of random killing, murder, and violence that “a killer would not know why he is killing and the one who is killed would not know why he is being killed”, and “every age is followed by one which would be worse”—already around the world senseless random killing has arrived and is constantly escalating.

• “Nothing would remain of Islam but the name, and nothing would remain of the Qur’an but the traces (of its writing) (i.e., the Qur’an would not be studied, no one would follow its guidance, it would be recited mechanically etc.); the Masjid (mosques) would be grand structures but would be devoid of guidance; and the Ulama (religious scholars of Islam who represent such people) would be the worst people beneath the sky. From them would emerge Fitnah (trials) and they would be the centers of Fitnah (since they betray Islam)” — there are many distinguished scholars of Islam who declare that this prophesy, also, has today found fulfilment. The evidence of such is overwhelming.

However, the End Time prophesy that takes the cake is this: Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prophesied that:

“People would follow a way of life other than mine, and give guidance other than mine”…“I fear for my people only the leaders who lead men astray”…“Before the Last Hour there will be great liars, so beware of them”…“When the most wicked member of a tribe becomes its ruler, and the most worthless member of a community becomes its leader, and a man is respected through fear of the evil he may do, and leadership is given to people who are unworthy of it, expect the Last Hour”.

Sad to say, all these are coming to pass in our lifetime. Indeed, the End Time is near. But do not expect it tomorrow morning. The Bible said a thousand years is like a day in the sight of God.

Allah knows best.

Barka Juma’at and Happy weekend.

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Islam

Friday Sermon: Laylatul Qadr: The Night of Power, Night of Decree

Published

4 days ago

March 21, 2025

Eric

By Babatunde Jose

“Allahumma innaka Afuwwun (Karimun) tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee;

“O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, (Generous) You love to pardon, so pardon me.

We have indeed revealed this in the ‘Night of Power’. And what will explain to you what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down The Angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand. “Peace!…This until the rise of Morn!” (Quran 97:1-5)

Laylatul Qadr is an Islamic festival that commemorates the night on which God first revealed the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). It is also known as the Night of Power or the Night of Decree. It is considered to be the holiest night of Ramadan. The exact date of Laylatul Qadr is unspecified, but it is believed to occur on one of the last 10 days of the month.

Laylat al-Qadr is a night of immense blessings and spiritual significance in Islam. The Quran describes it as “better than a thousand months” (Quran 97:3), emphasizing its unparalleled importance.

The last few nights of Ramadan (in which Laylatul Qadr – the Night of Power – can be found) are upon us. We’re blessed with the opportunity to earn even more bountiful rewards for our good deeds.

As Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.”

Qadr in Arabic, means the measure and limit or value of something or destiny. Some reasons have been offered for its naming: It is said that it was called “al-Qadr” because the annual destiny of every person is determined by God.

Some say if one stays awake on this night in prayer, reading the Quran, or repenting, one will reach a higher state. Some have said that it was called “al-Qadr” because it is a grand and highly valued night. Other names for this Night include Laylat al-‘Azama “Night of the Greatness”) and Laylat ash-Sharaf ’Night of the Honor’.

While the month of Ramadan is most widely known as the month that the Quran was first revealed to humankind, the Night of Power describes the exact night that the Quran was revealed.

However, scholars of Hadith recommend focusing on the last 10 nights of Ramadan. Especially the odd nights, as it is most likely to have occurred in one of these nights based on the following Hadith:

It was advised by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to: “Look for it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Some commentators believe that the Quran was revealed to Muhammad (SAW) twice: The “immediate revelation”, at the Cave of Hira on the first Laylat al-Qadr in 610 CE; The “gradual revelation” of Makkan and Medinan surat over the succeeding 23 years.

The Quran uses the word anzal which justifies “immediate revelation”, according to Allamah Tabatabai. Some others believe that the revelation of Quran occurred in a different two phases, with the first being its entire revelation on Laylat al-Qadr to the Angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic) in the lowest heaven, and then the subsequent verse-by-verse revelation to Muhammad (SAW) from Gabriel. The first surah revealed were the first seven āyat (verses) of Sūrat al-ʿAlaq.

Muhammad (SAW) would usually practice spiritual retreat (Iʿtikāf) during the last ten days of Ramadan, fasting and praying throughout the night. He urged his followers to do the same as one hadith notes: “Whoever stands [in prayer] during the Night of Power out of belief and seeking reward, his previous sins are forgiven.” (Sahih al-Bukhari

The specific date of Laylat al-Qadr is not mentioned in the Quran. Muhammad (SAW) said God told him the exact date in a dream, but as he went to tell his companions about it, he saw two people fighting and God made him forget the date.

According to the Islamic calendar, an Islamic day begins at Maghrib prayer (sunset). The Night of Power thus spans Maghrib to Fajr prayer the following dawn.

Muslims are encouraged to worship intently throughout Ramadan in order to catch the blessings of the Night of Power. On this night, the reward for worship is better than 1000 months!

In the Qu’an, an entire Surah is dedicated to the Night of Power/Decree (Laylatul Qadr), and in it, Allah (SWT) reveals its purpose, reward and signs: “Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.” (Quran 97:1-5)

Here are five key acts of worship to focus on in your effort to catch Laylatul Qadr:Salah and voluntary Salah. Du’a, for yourself, loved ones, those who are oppressed, mankind and Allah (SWT’s) creatures. Tawbah (repentance) for major and minor sins. Acts of Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah. Upright conduct and character towards others.

Due to the sanctity of this night, your deeds are multiplied. Consequently, praying just two rakat could equal 83 years of Salah! May Allah accept our efforts, Ameen.

Allah says about the purpose of this night: ”Ha, Meem. By the clear Book, Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind]. On that night every precise matter – Every matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send (a messenger).” (Qur’an 44:1-5)

Only Allah has knowledge of Laylatul Qadr. However, to determine its presence we are directed towards some signs. Two of the most authentic signs of Laylatul Qadr are: The sun rises early in the morning without rays. Ubayy, (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (SAW) said, “On the morning following Laylatul-Qadr, the sun rises without any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up.” (Muslim)

Laylatul Qadr, or The Night of Power/Decree is mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Qadr, which is a whole Surah dedicated by Allah to describing this bountiful night in these precious verses: (Qur’an, 97:1-5)

Scholars relay that one of the most beloved du’as to make during these last ten nights in the hope that it falls on Laylatul Qadr is the following: “Allahumma innaka Afuwwun (Karimun) tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee”; “O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, (Generous) You love to pardon, so pardon me.”

There are no specific prescribed acts of worship for Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power). This is because the exact date is known only to Allah. Aisha (ra) said that: “Allah’s Messenger (SAW) used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time.” (Muslim

Some examples of worship that can earn bountiful reward can include: Sadaqah Dhikr remembrance of Allah, Blessings on the Prophet (SAW), Nafl (voluntary prayers) and sincere du’a.

Above all, Muslims are encouraged to approach every act of worship with sincere faith in Allah’s bountiful mercy. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari)

During the month of Ramadan in the year 610 CE, the Prophet (SAW) was meditating in the Cave of Hira, when the Angel Jibreel suddenly revealed himself to him by the order of Allah, commanding him to read, “Iqra!”

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was illiterate, and his inability to read prevented him from reading the words before him, he said, “I am not a reader”. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) relayed that Jibreel (as) then took hold of him and squeezed him until he could not bear it any more, then he released the Prophet (SAW) and said, “Read!“. This happened about three times before Jibril said:

Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not. (Quran, 96:1-5)

These were the first verses of the Quran to be revealed; Sura Al-Talaq. That day could be regarded as Laylatul Qadr. Unfortunately, the Prophet (SAW) did not remember the exact date, hence we need to search for it. Allah knows best.

“Allahumma innaka Afuwwun (Karimun) tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee”; “O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, (Generous) You love to pardon, so pardon me.”

Barka Juma’at and a happy weekend. Ramadan Kareem.

Islam

Friday Sermon: Ramadan: The Month of Forgiveness & Repentance

Published

2 weeks ago

March 14, 2025

Eric

By Babatunde Jose

Ramaḍan is the month of forgiveness and repentance. The word ‘Ramadan’ is derived from ramad which refers to the intense burning heat of the sun. Thus, ‘Ramadan’ is the month in which the sins of the believer are burned by their righteous deeds. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “The five daily prayers, Jumuah to Jumuah, and Ramadan to Ramadan expiate for (the sins perpetrated) in between them, so long as one stays away from the major sins” (Muslim).

But do our people stay away from these major and minor sins? No! Like unrepentant and incorrigible sinners, they go about the land fomenting trouble. If they are not after another man’s wife, the wives are sleeping with another woman’s husband, spreading the ignoble art of fornication in the land. They steal money meant for the community and fight over the spoils in a gale of sacking and impeachments.

They accept bribes from litigants and pervert the course of justice. They are always quick to board the next flight to Mecca to perform Umrah, which they have already started, yet they are the worst offenders in the land. They are not only unjust in the allocation of resources but inequitable in the dispensation of values. Upon all these acts of iniquities, they supplicate every day for forgiveness; but they fail to forgive those that trespass against them.

All of us are sinful. We commit sins and don’t even realize how we are suffering from their consequences. Our sins are not just between us and Allah. They directly impact our families, communities and, ultimately, the entire Ummah. Sins take us far away from Allah and incur His anger and punishment. Sins remove barakah and weaken the heart and the body.

Sins deprive us from doing good deeds, prevent our duas from being accepted, result in a horrible death and lead to suffering in the hereafter. Ibn al-Jawzī (raḥimahullāh) said, “Sins are like a chain around the neck of the sinner. One can only be released from it through istighfār (seeking forgiveness) and tawbah (repentance).”

Sins can seal the heart to the extent that one’s heart becomes numb and no longer accepts any reminder or any form of good. This can lead to one becoming desensitized and not considering a sin as a sin. Sins are the biggest obstacles in our journey to Allah. Sins ruin the heart and make it diseased. Thus, istighfar has to be an essential part of our lives, and more so in Ramaḍan, in which it is far easier to be forgiven.

“Whoever does not feel contentment of the heart and cannot experience the sweetness of iman and the light of guidance, then he should increase in repenting and seeking forgiveness.” – Ibn Taymiyyah (raḥimahullāh)

Just as we must make istighfār for our sins, we must also ask Allah to forgive the deficiencies in our worship and good deeds. We can never fulfil the rights of Allah and worship Him as He deserves to be worshipped.

Ramadan is the month of tawbah (repentance). A month of truly turning with one’s heart to Allah, and humbly apologising to Him. We should dedicate time in Ramadan to reflect on all the sins we have committed throughout our lives. We should feel very bad at having sinned, and we should reflect on our negligence in worshipping Allah. We should think over how Kind and Generous Allah is to us, and how we use these very same blessings to disobey Him.

Allah says, “O believers! Turn to Allah in sincere repentance, so your Lord may erase your sins and admit you into Gardens, under which rivers flow…” (66:8).

For tawbah to be sincere, we have to:

1. Stop committing the sin; but our people will not stop. At every turn they empty the community cookie jar. If they had stopped, there would have been enough funds to develop the country, we would not be the poverty capital of the world, our people would have enough to eat and leftover to export. If they had stopped sinning, our lot as a people would not be so pauperized, we would not be impoverished and our people would no longer be hewers of wood and drawers of water.

2. Feel a deep sense of regret and remorse over the sin; they have no sense of remorse or regret. Like the proverbial dry fish, they have been hardened and can no longer bend. Hey are unrepentant sinners. They have no resolve to never return to that sin; sinful living has become a way of life.

3. Make amends if we have wronged another person (e.g. ask their forgiveness or supplicate for them). Arrogant and irredeemable, they will never make amends.

Let us make sincere tawbah to Allah in this month. Our sincere tawbah must also include a firm resolve to not return to the sin, especially when Ramadan is over.

Tawbah is a gift from Allah. We can only make tawbah if Allah allows us to do so (tawfīq). Allah turns towards us first, after which we turn to Him in repentance; and then He accepts our repentance.

Allah says: “…Then He turned towards them, so that they may repent. Surely, Allah is the Acceptor of repentance, the Very Merciful” (Quran 9:118).

Sometimes Shaytan may delude us into thinking that we still have time, and that we will make tawbah in the latter part of our lives. However, there is no guarantee for life. We should make tawbah today, so that we do not regret it when it is too late. It has been said that if the deceased in the grave were able to communicate with us, they would tell us that their greatest desire would be to be able to return to the world, even for a fraction of a moment, and make sincere tawbah to Allah.

“The best day in a servant’s life is undoubtedly the day in which he turns to Allah in repentance, and Allah accepts His repentance” – Ibn al-Qayyim (raḥimahullāh)

There is no one who forgives like Allah. No matter what we may have done, Allah is waiting for us to turn to Him with sincerity and humility, and beg Him to forgive us. He is al-Ghafur (The All-Forgiving) and al-Ghafar (The Most Forgiving). He says: “Say, (O Prophet, that Allah says,): O My servants who have transgressed against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Quran 39:53).

Not only does Allah forgive, but he loves those who constantly repent and seek His forgiveness. From His immense kindness, He instructs His angels – including the Bearers of the Throne – to supplicate for our forgiveness!

As humans, we struggle to forgive each other, let alone reciprocate evil with good. Allah, on the other hand, does not only conceal and forgive, but He also “changes their evil deeds into good ones” (25:70). Moreover, He showers us with worldly blessings as a result of us seeking forgiveness, including wealth, children and strength (see 71:12 and 11:52). Allāhu Akbar!

Tawbah is an essential ingredient in every stage of a servant’s journey to his Lord, and it is something we must renew all the time. It is inevitable that we are going to sin; but each time we sin, we should rush to make tawbah, so that the sins do not corrode our hearts.

This Ramaḍān, our goal should be to reach the level of inābah. Inābah is the stage after tawbah and it consists of repeatedly turning to Allah with love and humility; and to turn away from others.

Allah says, “But Paradise will be brought close to the righteous and will no longer be distant. ‘This is what you were promised — for everyone who turned often to Allah in sincere repentance and preserved (His commands); who were in awe of the All-Merciful without seeing Him; and have come with a heart which is munīb (turned in devotion to Him)” (Quran 50:31-35).

Our thieving leaders have their knees on our neck and ‘We can’t breathe’. People are suffocating in man-induced poverty, unemployment, want, impoverishment and mystery as a result of the iniquities and self aggrandizement of our leaders. Hope has been betrayed, expectations frustrated and individual efforts have muzzled. There is a need for the leadership to atone for their sins against the poor and the wretched of our clime. They should repent and ask God for forgiveness. The suffering of our people has reached God in Heaven and He is not pleased.

Unfortunately, when the wrath of God is unleashed, there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth. According to the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1;”To everything there is a time and a purpose and season under the heavens”. Accordingly, there is a time to enslave and a time to set the captives free. Now is the time. Let our leaders learn from the lesson from other parts of the world. People here can protest too; and when there is nothing more for the poor to eat, they would ‘eat the rich’. May Allah al-Tawwab (The Acceptor of repentance) always turn to us so that we turn to Him. May He always accept our tawbah and grant us the gift of inabah.

Barka Juma’at and Happy weekend. Ramadan Kareem.

Islam

Friday Sermon: What is Umrah? The Islamic Lesser Hajj Explained

Published

2 weeks ago

March 7, 2025

Eric

By Babatunde Jose

Millions of Muslims travel to Mecca from across the globe to perform Umrah, an act of worship and devotion. Umrah has however become very fashionable during Ramadan and especially the last 10 days. The Kaaba becomes so congested that the uninitiated mistake the milling crowd for Hajj performance. Though Umrah is a form of Hajj, yet, Umrah cannot be equated to Hajj. At the onset, it must be realized that Umrah is not a pillar of Islam like the Hajj, which is enjoined for all Muslims with the caveat of affordability.

Umrah is the name given to a shorter version of the annual Hajj gathering. Umrah can be undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to the Hajj “pilgrimage”, which has specific dates according to the Islamic lunar calendar.

Umrah offers an opportunity for Muslims to refresh their faith, seek forgiveness and pray for their needs. One who performs it is said to be cleansed of their sins.

What are the main differences between Umrah and Hajj? Umrah is voluntary but Hajj is compulsory for those who are physically well and can afford it.

Hajj is one of Islam’s five pillars, and Muslims who are able must perform it at least once in their lifetime.

Umrah is almost a spiritual “quick-fix” and can be completed in under two hours. Umrah requires Muslims to perform two key rituals, Tawaf and Sa’i.

Tawaf is a circling round the Kaaba seven times. This is followed by Sa’i, a walk between the hillocks of Safa and Marwah in the Great Mosque of Mecca to commemorate Hagar (Hājar)’s search for water for her son, Ishmael (Ismāʿīl), and God’s mercy in answering her prayers. Pilgrims conclude the pilgrimage with Halq, a partial or complete shortening of the hair. Hajj is a more intense experience over several days.

A pilgrim has to be in a state of Ihraam, which derives from the Arabic word harama, which means forbidden.

Umrah is not compulsory, but is still highly recommended. It is mandatory according to the Hanbalis and also according to the Shafi’is. It is also not meant to be interpreted as a substitute for Hajj. However, both are demonstrations of their submission to Allah.

It is recorded that in 628 CE (6 AH), inspired by a dream that Muhammad (SAW) had while in Medina, in which he was performing the ceremonies of Umrah, he and his followers approached Mecca from Medina. They were stopped at Hudaybiyyah, Quraysh refused entry to the Muslims who wished to perform the pilgrimage. Muhammad (SAW) is said to have explained that they only wished to perform a pilgrimage, and subsequently leave the city, however the Qurayshites disagreed.

Diplomatic negotiations were pursued once the prophet refused to use force to enter Mecca, out of respect to the Holy Ka’aba. In March, 628 CE (Dhu’l-Qi’dah, 6 AH), the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was drawn up and signed, with terms stipulating a ten-year period free of hostilities, during which the Muslims would be allowed a three-day-long access per year to the holy site of the Ka’aba starting the following year. In the year it was signed, the followers of Mohammed were forced to return home without having performed Umrah.

The next year, Muhammad (SAW) took part in the conquest of Mecca in December 629. Following the agreed-upon terms of the Hudaybiyyah Treaty, the Prophet (SAW) and some 2000 followers proceeded to perform what became the first Umrah, which lasted three days.

After the transfer of power, Muhammad forgave all of his former enemies.

There is the belief that pilgrims, during Umrah (and Hajj) need to enter a spiritual state of almost human perfection (the Ihraam). There can be no quarrelling, cursing or bad language. No animal can be harmed – even the killing of an insect will break the state of Ihraam and nullify Umrah.

Pilgrims cannot cut, shave or pluck any hair, cut their nails, wear make-up or perfume or use any additional products. To do any of these would invalidate Ihraam according to Islamic jurisprudence.

The next step is to recite their intention to go on Umrah aloud. This is usually done when an individual reaches the Meeqat (entry points to Mecca marking the start of observing the Ihraam). The pilgrims then offer a prayer and must stick to the rules above until they complete their pilgrimage.

Ihraam also dictates what pilgrims wear. It symbolises the equality of all of mankind before God. It signifies that no gender, nationality, or status can make one person superior to another.

For men it is the Ihram, two sheets of unstitched white cloth, one covering the lower half of the body tied around the waist, and the other is draped around the upper half of the body and shoulders. No undergarments or additional clothing are worn with the Ihraam.

For footwear, men wear sandals and must keep their head uncovered. Women can wear any long, loose-fitting garment that is simply designed. Many opt for a plain black abaya – a long-sleeved loose dress that covers the entire body – and a simple hijab, or head covering. The face cannot be covered.

Upon entering Masjid al-Haraam, the mosque-complex housing the Kaaba, pilgrims enter with their right foot and make a supplication, asking God for his mercy and forgiveness.

The pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times (Tawaf) in an anti-clockwise direction in deep prayer. It starts at the Kaaba’s eastern point where the Black Stone is located, which is said to date back to the time of Adam and Eve, and is highly revered by Muslims.

The purpose is to show devotion to God and demonstrate the unity between worshippers.

Just a few minutes walk away from the Kaaba are the hillocks of Safa and Marwa, where Muslims recite prayers walking back and forth between the two points, seven times. The total distance covered is two miles and the time it takes to complete depends on the pilgrim’s ability and fitness. This is called the Sa’i.

The act of sa’i honours the Quranic story of Haajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (or Abraham from the Bible), who is said to have wandered tirelessly between Safa and Marwa in search of water for her infant son Ismail (Ishmael), in a barren desert.

As Hajjar ran between mountain tops, Muslims believe, the Angel Gabriel struck the ground and water came gushing out, saving the baby’s life. Pilgrims still drink from this same water well today. According to Islamic narratives, the well is a miraculously generated source of water, which opened up thousands of years ago when the son of Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismaʿil (Ishmael), was left with his mother Hajar (Hagar) in the desert. The Zamzam well is still preserved in Mecca till date.

Following the completion of sa’i, pilgrims then offer a final prayer.

Shaving the head is regarded as symbolizing rebirth and the completion of their pilgrimage. Female pilgrims cut a small amount of their hair, equal to the length of a fingertip.

This point marks the end of the Umrah and pilgrims are no longer required to adhere to the regulations of Ihraam.

Umrah is a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and is an important journey for Muslims in their path to Allah.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) went to great lengths and struggled to establish it as a practice for Muslims. He then made the holy journey four times, demonstrating its significance.

Umrah is a means for Muslims to attain purification, cleanse their hearts and become closer to Allah Almighty.

It’s a chance to have our dua’s answered and to gain Allah’s forgiveness from past sins.

When we perform Umrah, we are considered to be a guest of Allah, and will never return back to our lives empty-handed without having gained blessings, rewards and tranquility. This is not the case for our numerous leaders who throng the Kaaba during Ramadan for Umrah. The rebirth is not reflected in their behavior. As far as they are concerned, their Umrah is for ‘show’.

Yet, Umrah is a great opportunity to renew our faith, reflect on our purpose in life, and a chance to detach from the distractions of everyday life.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) considered it as one of the most effective ways of worship, and we also earn great rewards by following his Sunnah of performing Umrah.

The reward for performing Umrah is equivalent to jihad – which means to struggle in the path of Allah.

(The performance of) Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). Hadith | Sahih Bukhari

This demonstrates that Umrah is a chance for complete purification, and the opportunity to do so is a gift from Allah.

The most rewarding time of the year to perform Umrah is during Ramadan, which equals the reward of performing Hajj: Umrah performed in the month of Ramadan will equal (in rewards) to that of Hajj or Hajj performed with me. Hadith Sahih Bukhari, Muslim

There are two types of Umrah: Umrah al-Mufradah – this type is performed independently to Hajj and can be carried out at any point during the year, except during the days of Hajj.

Umrah al-Tamattu – this type is performed in conjunction with Hajj and is normally carried out in the month of Dhul Hijjah, before the commencement of Hajj.

For those who can afford to perform the Umrah, may Allah accept it from them as an act of Ibadah. May it engender a transformation in their faith.

Barka Juma’at and Ramadan Mubarak