The Dress of Ihram

Question: Why it is necessary that the cloth of the Ihram should be such that is not worn usually and should be unstitched?

Answer: Hajj is a social worship, which should be performed with complete independence. To keep this purpose in mind during Hajj wearing of a two piece of cloth’s is enough, and prohibition of wearing casuals and formal dresses is there because they are distinguishing and create differences and sometimes are signs of pride and show-off and thus this desire of the human beings has come out practically, that one day the human beings will have to remove all the factors of pride and show off.

In other words, Hajj in the eyes of Allah is the best way of showing that human beings are equal and thus it is necessary to remain aloof from all the formal and casual clothes, due to which differences arise and they should wear two pieces of clothes and all people should look alike in this grand ritual.

Why is the meat of Sacrifice Wasted?

Question: What is the purpose of Sacrifice in Mina, whereas much of the sacrificial meat is not used properly and has to be buried?

Answer: As we know, on the 10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah in the rituals of Hajj, it is obligatory to slaughter an animal in Mina. This is one of the duties to be performed and one of its aims is that it reminds us of the sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.).

The incident of Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.), the friend of Allah is that for the perfection of Ibrahim’s soul and to prove his sacrifice and show his position Allah commanded him to sacrifice his dear son in an extraordinary way on the land of Mina. Without any doubt this was an examination and its purpose was to prove the capability of this man. Ibrahim (a.s.) carried out the order and later thinking that he has slaughtered his son, when he removed the blindfold he saw a slaughtered sheep in the place of Ismail (a.s.).

The obedience of Hazrat Ibrahim proved spirit of sincerity. Obedience, courage and the spirit of sacrifice was so strong and powerful in Hazrat Ibrahim that he was able to control his fatherly love and emotions.

The pilgrims of the House of Allah by sacrificing an animal commemorate Hazrat Ibrahim’s sincerity and strong faith and his sacrifice enlightens the hearts; and in this way gives us the lesson of sacrifice and practically says that those who sacrifice everything in the way of Allah are the godly people, as that elderly person did, this is one of the secrets of sacrifice on the day of Eid.

Now we will see what the view of Islam on the meat of sacrifice is. Is there any responsibility of the Muslims on this issue?

To answer this question we will see what Quran says about it and whether it also applies to all the Muslims who sacrifice animals on the day of Eid in Mina:

“Then eat of them (sacrificed animals) and feed the distressed one, the needy.” [Surah Hajj 22:28]

And it also says:

“Eat of them and feed the poor man who is contented and the beggar” [Surah Hajj 22:36]

It is a verdict in Practical Laws that pilgrims of the house of Allah should divide the meat into three parts: one part should be used personally, one part be given to the Mu’mineen (believers) and one to the needy.

It is clear from these orders that the purpose of the sacrifice is not only spiritual benefits but also that it should be used in such a way that it is not wasted.

Now it is the duty of Muslim pilgrims and the Islamic government that they should make such arrangements that this meat is not wasted. In the present time such refrigeration should be provided to protect the meat from being buried in the ground and slowly should be utilized for food purpose as the holy Quran has said.

In the past when the number of Hajjis were not so many, the meat of sacrifice was properly used. As due to convenient transport, number of Hajjis has increased, that is why with the help of modern amenities, the meat should be protected from wastage and the welfare of the Hajjis, and the Islamic purpose should be kept in mind and that is the duty of the Islamic governments and Muslim intellectuals that they should give Islam a practical appearance and should stop all kind of wastage and if any problem arises, then it is not the deficiency of divine law. The fault lies with the Muslims. [1]

Why is it forbidden to read the deviated books?

Question: When Islam is the religion of knowledge, why does it forbid reading deviated books?

Answer: Without any doubt, Islam is the religion of learning and knowledge and it encourages people to acquire and spread knowledge. The progress of a person or society depends upon acquisition of knowledge but side by side Islam pays attention to the basic point that just as there are dangerous factors of materialism in society e.g. to protect from it, it is necessary; in the same way to protect the mind and spirit from factors of going astray is also necessary.

In today’s culture, people are free, to accept any belief or view with the only condition that it should not be against the material principles of the society. This is not so in Islam. Islam wants that such a society, which comes into existence, should progress spiritually and ethically. This aim will not be realized unless and until it fights against the factors against ethics and spirituality, and that it should not have effects on the lives of the people. By paying attention to this basic point, we come to know that those books which are strayed and which spoil right thinking, faith and healthy ethics have been banned. If all the people are given the freedom to read these types of books what is the guarantee that their thinking and ethics would be safe? We should not underestimate propaganda and the power of propagation. There are many youths who after reading strayed books, and novels based on love, sex and crime have fallen in the pit of bad manners and unethical practices.

That is why Islam has not permitted publishing of strayed books freely so that all can read them. Although Islam encourages knowledge and its acquisition, it has not forbidden those people who have the ability to differentiate between right and wrong with the help of their powerful intelligence. Islam has not banned the learned people from reading these books but it is wajib for the scholarly and learned people so that they can understand the logic of those people and then refute them. By acquainting themselves with the ways of propagation and logic of the enemies, they can find appropriate ways to rebut them.

There were many discussions in the history of Islam between the religious leaders and followers of other faiths. The author of al-Ihtijaj[2] and many other authors have collected such types of discussions in books. This is itself an example that Islam has not banned the strayed books for the learned people and has not opposed knowledge. The religious leaders have always answered this type of faith not by killing those who follow that faith but by logic and free discussion.

Footnotes:

[1] Note: Alhamdolillah, now this sacrificial meat is being distributed among the needy people. As nowadays this meat is sent directly from Makkah to Afghan refugees. (Publisher)
[2] al-Ihtijaj was written by Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib al-Tabrisiy, died approximately in 550 Hijri. This book was published many times. It shows one aspect of knowledge of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.).