Hajj is a pilgrimage to the Kaabah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the Islamic rituals or practices observed by Muslims. Unknown to many, Hajj is not an innovation of Islam but copied from Hindu paganism in pre-Islamic Arabia. Allah and Muhammad commanded their believers (former pagans) to continue their observance of Hajj along with other pagan rituals and practices. Muhammad was one of those pagans who worshiped the Blackstone in Kaabah. Even Allah was also the god of the Arab pagans taken by Muhammad and converted It as the God of the Jews.
1. [Sahih al-Bukhari 1564] Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The people (of the Pre-Islamic Period) used to think that to perform `Umra during the months of Hajj was one of the major sins on earth. And also used to consider the month of Safar as a forbidden (i.e. sacred) month and they used to say, “When the wounds of the camel’s back heal up (after they return from Hajj) and the signs of those wounds vanish and the month of Safar passes away then (at that time) `Umra is permissible for the one who wishes to perform it.” In the morning of the 4th of Dhul- Hijja, the Prophet and his companions reached Mecca, assuming Ihram for Hajj and he ordered his companions to make their intentions of the Ihram for `Umra only (instead of Hajj) so they considered his order as something great and were puzzled, and said, “O Allah’s Messenger ! What kind (of finishing) of Ihram is allowed?” The Prophet replied, “Finish the Ihram completely like a non-Muhrim (you are allowed everything).”
2. [Sahih al-Bukhari 1648] Narrated `Asim: I asked Anas bin Malik: “Did you use to dislike to perform Tawaf between Safa and Marwa?” He said, “Yes, as it was of the ceremonies of the days of the Pre-Islamic period of ignorance, till Allah revealed: ‘Verily! (The two mountains) As-Safa and Al-Marwa are among the symbols of Allah. It is therefore no sin for him who performs the pilgrimage to the Ka`ba, or performs `Umra, to perform Tawaf between them.’ ” (2.158)
3. [Sahih al-Bukhari 1770] Narrated Ibn ‘ `Abbas: Dhul-Majaz and `Ukaz were the markets of the people during the Pre-Islamic period of ignorance. When the people embraced Islam, they disliked to do bargaining there till the following Holy Verses were revealed:– There is no harm for you If you seek of the bounty Of your Lord (during Hajj by trading, etc.) (2.198)
4. [Sahih al-Bukhari 2050] Narrated Ibn `Abbas: `Ukaz, Majanna and Dhul-Majaz were marketplaces in the Pre-Islamic period of ignorance. When Islam came, Muslims felt that marketing there might be a sin. So, the Divine Inspiration came: “There is no harm for you to seek the bounty of your Lord (in the seasons of Hajj).” (2.198) Ibn `Abbas recited the Verse in this way.
5. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3834] Narrated Qais bin Abi Hazim: Abu Bakr went to a lady from the Ahmas tribe called Zainab bint Al-Muhajir and found that she refused to speak. He asked, “Why does she not speak.” The people said, “She has intended to perform Hajj without speaking.” He said to her, “Speak, for it is illegal not to speak, as it is an action of the pre-islamic period of ignorance. So she spoke and said, “Who are you?” He said, “A man from the Emigrants.” She asked, “Which Emigrants?” He replied, “From Quraish.” She asked, “From what branch of Quraish are you?” He said, “You ask too many questions; I am Abu Bakr.” She said, “How long shall we enjoy this good order (i.e. Islamic religion) which Allah has brought after the period of ignorance?” He said, “You will enjoy it as long as your Imams keep on abiding by its rules and regulations.” She asked, “What are the Imams?” He said, “Were there not heads and chiefs of your nation who used to order the people and they used to obey them?” She said, “Yes.” He said, “So they (i.e. the Imams) are those whom I meant.”
6. [Sahih al-Bukhari 2098] Narrated Ibn `Abbas: `Ukaz, Majanna and Dhul-Majaz were markets in the Pre-Islamic period. When the people embraced Islam they considered it a sin to trade there. So, the following Holy Verse came:– ‘There is no harm for you if you seek of the bounty of your Lord (Allah) in the Hajj season.” (2.198) Ibn `Abbas recited it like this.
7. [Sahih al-Bukhari 4495] Narrated `Urwa: I said to `Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, and I was at that time a young boy, “How do you interpret the Statement of Allah: “Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah.” So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj to the House of Allah) or perform the Umra, to ambulate (Tawaf) between them. In my opinion it is not sinful for one not to ambulate (Tawaf) between them.” `Aisha said, “Your interpretation is wrong for as you say, the Verse should have been: “So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj or Umra to the House, not to ambulate (Tawaf) between them.’ This Verse was revealed in connection with the Ansar who (during the Pre-Islamic Period) used to visit Manat (i.e. an idol) after assuming their Ihram, and it was situated near Qudaid (i.e. a place at Mecca), and they used to regard it sinful to ambulate between Safa and Marwa after embracing Islam. When Islam came, they asked Allah’s Messenger about it, whereupon Allah revealed:– “Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah. So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj of the House (of Allah) or perform the Umra, to ambulate (Tawaf) between them.” (2.158)
8. [Sahih al-Bukhari 4496] Narrated `Asim bin Sulaiman: I asked Anas bin Malik about Safa and Marwa. Anas replied, “We used to consider (i.e. going around) them a custom of the Pre-islamic period of Ignorance, so when Islam came, we gave up going around them. Then Allah revealed” “Verily, Safa and Marwa (i.e. two mountains at Mecca) are among the Symbols of Allah. So it is not harmful of those who perform the Hajj of the House (of Allah) or perform the Umra to ambulate (Tawaf) between them.” (2.158)
9. [Sahih al-Bukhari 4519] Narrated Ibn `Abbas: `Ukaz, Mijanna and Dhul-Majaz were markets during the Pre-islamic Period. They (i.e. Muslims) considered it a sin to trade there during the Hajj time (i.e. season), so this Verse was revealed:– “There is no harm for you if you seek of the Bounty of your Lord during the Hajj season.” (2.198)
10. [Sahih Muslim 1240a] Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) reported that they (the Arabs of pre-Islamic days) looked upon Umra during the months of Hajj as the greatest of sins on the earth. So they intercalated the month of Muharram for Safar and said: When the backs of their camels would become all right and traces (if the pilgrims) would be effaced (from the paths) and the month of Safar would be over, then Umra would be permissible for one who wants to perform it. When Allah’s Apostle and his Companions came in the state of Ihram for performing Hajj on the fourth (of Dhu’l-Hijja) he (Allah’s Apostle) commanded them to change their state of Ihram (from Hajj) to that of ‘Umra. It was something inconceivable for them. So they said: Messenger of Allah, is it a complete freedom (of the obligation) of Ihram? Thereupon he said: It is a complete freedom (from Ihram).
11. [Sahih Muslim 1218b] Ja’far b. Muhammad narrated on the authority of his father thus: I came to Jabir b. Abdullah and asked him about the (Farewell) Pilgrimage of Allah’s Messenger. The rest of the hadith is the same, but with the addition of this:” There was one Abu Sayyara among the Arabs, (of pre-Islamic period) who carried (people from Muzdalifa to Mini). As the Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) set out from Muzdalifa to al-Mash’ar al-Haram, the Quraish were certain that he would halt there and that would be his station. But he passed on (without staying) there. and paid no heed to it till he came to ‘Arafat and there he stayed.”
12. [Sunan Abi Dawud 2830] Narrated Nubayshah: A man called the Messenger of Allah: We used to sacrifice Atirah in pre-Islamic days during Rajab; so what do you command us? He said: Sacrifice for the sake of Allah in any month whatever; obey Allah, Most High, and feed(the people). He said: We used to sacrifice a Fara’ in pre-Islamic days, so what do you command us? He said: On every pasturing animal there is a Fara’ which is fed by your cattle till it becomes strong and capable of carrying load.
The narrator Nasr said (in his version): When it becomes capable of carrying load of the pilgrims, you may slaughter it and give its meat as charity (sadaqah).
The narrator Khalid’s version says: You (may give it) to the travellers, for it is better. Khalid said: I asked AbuQilabah: How many pasturing animals? He replied: One hundred.
13. [Sunan Abi Dawud 3334] Narrated Sulaiman b. ‘Amr: On the authority of his father: I heard the Messenger of Allah say in the Farewell Pilgrimage: “Lo, all claims to usury of the pre-Islamic period have been abolished. You shall have your capital sums, deal not unjustly and you shall not be dealt with unjustly. Lo, all claims for blood-vengeance belonging to the pre-Islamic period have been abolished. The first of those murdered among us whose blood-vengeance I remit is al-Harith ibn AbdulMuttalib, who suckled among Banu Layth and killed by Hudhayl.” He then said: O Allah, have I conveyed the message? They said: Yes, saying it three times. He then said: O Allah, be witness, saying it three times.
14. [Sunan Abi Dawud 4547] Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr: (Musaddad’s version has): The Messenger of Allah made a speech on the day of the conquest of Mecca, and said: Allah is Most Great, three times. He then said: There is no god but Allah alone: He fulfilled His promise, helped His servant, and alone defeated the companies. (The narrator said:) I have remembered from Musaddad up to this.
Then the agreed version has: Take note! All the merits mentioned in pre-Islamic times, and the claim made for blood or property are under my feet, except the supply of water to the pilgrims and the custody of the Ka’bah. He then said: The blood-money for unintentional murder which appears intentional, such as is done with a whip and a stick, is one hundred camels, forty of which are pregnant. Musaddad’s version is more accurate.
15. [Sunan Abi Dawud 4588] Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As: The Prophet said: Musaddad’s version has: He addressed on the day of Conquest. The agreed version then goes: Beware! Every object of pride of pre-Islamic times, whether it is blood-vengeance or property, mentioned or claimed, has been put under my feet except supply of water to the pilgrims and custody of the House (the Ka’bah). He then said: Beware! The blood-wit for unintentional murder, such as is done with a whip and stick, is one hundred camels, forty of which are pregnant.
16. [Riyad as-Salihin 1284] Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Ukaz, Mijannah and Dhul-Majaz were markets during the pre-Islamic period. The Companions disliked trading there till the following Ayat of the Noble Qur’an were revealed: “There is no sin on you if you seek the Bounty of your Rubb (during pilgrimage by trading)…” (2:198)
Watch: The Arab pagans perfomed Tawaf around Kaabah like Muslims do today
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