Hajj wal 'Umrah

Al-Hajj Wal 'Umrah

(A Concourse Body, Mind and Soul)

Mohammed Siraj Uddin

 

إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِلْعَالَمِينَ {96}

فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۖ وَمَنْ دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ

الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ {97}

 

"Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-'Alamin (mankind and jinn).  In it are manifest signs (for example); the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim; whosoever enters it, he attains security.  And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses, and whoever disbelieves (i. e. Hajj), then Allah stands not in need of any of the 'Alamin." (Surah Al-'Imran, 3:96-97)

 

Preface

Father of mankind, Adam^AS was created in Paradise, was sent down to earth to complete his mission as the Khalifah.  We, as his progeny, are assigned to continue the mission of preaching Tauhid and inherit the earth.  Knowing our nature and fallibility, Allah^SWT has opened the perpetual door for forgiveness, and out of His greatest love and Mercy, has opened many doors for His slaves to achieve salvation and enter Paradise:

 

"Allah calls to the Home of Peace (i. e. Paradise by accepting Allah's Religion of Islamic Monotheism, and by doing righteous deeds, and abstaining from polytheism), and guides whom He wills to the Straight Path."  (Surah Yunus, 10:25)

 

The Holy Prophet^SAAW said: 

If any one of you performs ablution, and does it well, and when he finishes the ablution, he utters the words: "I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, He has no associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and His Messenger", all the eight doors of Paradise will be opened for him; he may enter (through) any of them.  [Sahah, Sunan Abi Dawud, Book 1, Hadith 169]

 

Paradise has eight doors: Tauhid is the key to all the gates. Then, there is specific door for prayer (Bab As-Salat, 2:227), door for fasting (the Ryyan, Bukhari 1763), door for Zakat and charity, door for Jihad, and door for Kadhimin, and door for Al-Iman, door for Dhikr (13:23-24), and door for Hajj:

 

"Verily, those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, their Lord will guide them through their Faith; under them will flow rivers in the Garden of Delight (Paradise)."  (Surah Yunus, 10:9)

 

Prayer is the venue for standing in humility and ask for forgiveness, and enter paradise through the gate of Prayer, Fasting offers the opportunity to achieve Taqwa, and enter the Paradise through the special gate, Ryyaan, reserved for fasting people, Zakat is due on wealth and net savings, to purify wealth and farther clean living, Hajj is to attain Taqwa and commemorate the Udhiyah, the legacy of father Ibrahim^AS, and Jihad, to spread the Religion of Allah and restraint our Soul.

 

Hajj has a very special place in the life of a believer.  It is an intense form of worship that demands certain physical fitness, financial affordability, and emotional stability.  It is obligatory only once in a life time, for those who have the means to afford the journey.  It calls up on the Hujjaj to mend their conduct, and behave according to the standard enjoined upon by Qur'an and Sunna, both in public and personal life. It is the summit of all worships. 

 

As a pillar, Hajj is closely related to Shahada: while Shahada is the declaration of Tauhid (Unity of Allah), Hajj depicts the history and practice of that Principle.  The inner theme of Hajj is to declare our readiness to the service of Allah^SWT, denounce polytheism, and to cherish the love of Allah^SWT above the love of the material world.

 

Historically, the subject of preaching of all the Prophets, starting with Adam^AS, has been Tauhid, and the object has been to guide mankind to Tauhid. Hajj depicts the real time trials on behalf of great Messengers and personalities like Ibrahim^AS, Isma'il^AS, and Lady Hagar, and the last Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad^SAAW in achieving that goal.  It took important segments of their lives to develop the Manasiks (rites) of Hajj, under Divine Guidance:

 

"Our Lord!  And make us submissive unto You, and our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'y, stay at 'Arafat, Muzdalifa and Mina, Rami, slaughtering of Hady etc.), and accept our repentance.  Truly, You are the One, Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful."  (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:128)

 

Since the time of Adam^AS, the Sacred House of Ka'bah (as the First House), has been the center of worship, and a sanctuary of peace and security. As an ancient tradition of mankind, all the children of Abrahim^AS from both sides of his lineage, made pilgrimage to Makkah (Ibn Kathir).

 

Over thousands of years of practice since Ibrahim^AS, the principle of Islamic Monotheism slowly veered towards polytheism (shirk), and the Manasiks were adulterated and replaced by pagan traditions:  In pre-Islamic time, the pagan Arabs erected statues (Lat, Uzza, Manat, and Hubol) for the purpose of worship: "Have you seen Lat, and 'Uzza, and another, the Third (goddess), Manat?"  (Surah Al Najm, 53:19-20). 

They replaced the solemn etiquettes of Tawaf with vulgar behavior, and used to go naked round the Ka'bah, dancing, whistling and clapping their hands: "Their prayer at the House (of Allah) is nothing but whistling and clapping of hands…"   (Surah Al Anfal, 8:35)

 

Finally, it was the inflexible efforts and sacrifice of Prophet Muhammad^SAAW to renew the call of Tauhid, and complete its message, initiated by Adam^AS, the father of mankind, and Ibrahim^AS, the father of believers.  It was the supplication of Ibrahim^AS that the Prophet^SAAW was sent to preach and teach mankind, and purify them, and protect them from the spiritual degradation of polytheism:

 

"Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur'an), and Al-Hikmah (full knowledge of the Islamic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or Prophethood), and purify them.  Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."  (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:129)

 

And the Divine Response to Ibrahim's supplication was:

 

            "Similarly (to complete My Blessings on you), We have sent among you a Messenger (Muhammad^SAAW) of your own, reciting Our Verses (the Qur'an) purifying you, and teaching you the Book (the Qur'an) and the Hikmah (that is Sunnah, Islamic Laws and Fiqh—Jurisprudence), and teaching you that which you used not to know."  (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:151)

 

The pillar of Hajj is an embodiment of many rites (Manasiks), which are a reminder of the sacrifices needed to establish them.  Each rite of Hajj depicts a physical and a deep spiritual conviction.  In performing the rites of Hajj, one goes back in time and place, and connects himself to these blessed historical personalities, walks the path they walked, and nurtures his soul.

 

This spiritual journey starts with the very intention of making Hajj, wearing the Ihram, and reciting the Talbiyah.  In doing so, he not only leaves the material world behind, establishes equality of mankind in life and death (two pieces of Ihram simulate the shroud), declares the Tauhid, and denounces polytheism.  Thus, Hajj, although an individual journey, it depicts a segment of a historical journey that started with Ibrahim^AS, transcends the interval on either side of his family, and finally renewed by the last Prophet Muhammad^SAAW, the descendant of Isma'il^AS.

 

When a Hajji (pilgrim) undertakes this journey, he physically visits Ka'bah, the House of Allah^SWT, the closest place to Allah^SWT on the face of the earth. In doing so, he indeed travels back in time to physically simulate the established rites, and spiritually he connects himself with the great personalities who established these rites.

 

Part I

Introduction to Hajj/'Umrah

Literal meaning of Hajj is Pilgrimage, which means to make a journey to a holy place.  In Islam, Hajj means journey to visit Ka'bah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in the month of Dhul-Hijjah, for the purpose of worship of Allah^SWT, and perform special rites commanded by Him:

 

 

Ka'bah is the replication of Baitul Ma'mur, the House of Allah in the highest heaven. It is directly under the Throne of Allah. Bait-al-Ma'mur is the House where the angels make Tawaf in the soiritual world, and Ka'bah is for human to make tawaf in the physical world.  Therefore, in the material world, Ka'bah is the closest place to Allah^SWT.   For the purpose of warship, it is the First House built on earth:

 

"The First House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (old name of Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-'Alamin (mankind and jinn).  In it are manifest signs, (for example), Maqam (place) of Ibrahim; whosoever enters it, he attains security. 

And Hajj to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence), and whoever disbelieves (denies Hajj, then he is a disbeliever of Allah)…"  (Surah Al-'Imran, 3:96-97)

 

Hajj, A Pillar of Islam:

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, held in the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the lunar year.  Hajj and 'Umrah are obligations on every Muslim (of age), who can afford the journey, to perform them:

 

"And complete the Hajj and 'Umrah in the service of Allah… for Hajj, if anyone undertakes that duty therein, let there be no indecency… "  (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:196-197)

 

The Holy Prophet^SAAW said:

"Islam is founded on five pillars: First of all is the Tauhid; declaration of Unity of Allah, and that Muhammad^SAAW is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, paying Zakat (poor due), going on Pilgrimage to the House of Allah (in Makkah), and observing the Fast of Ramadan." [Abdullah bin 'Umar, Sahih Muslim, Book1, Hadith 22, Sunan An-Nasa'I 5001, Book 47, Hadith 17]

 

"O people!  Allah has made it obligatory for you to make Hajj (the pilgrimage).  And as such you should perform it…"  [Abu Hurayrah, Sahih Muslim 1337, Book 15, Hadith 461]

 

A lesser form of Hajj is called 'Umrah, which can be performed any time of the year, or combined with Hajj, but it is recommended to perform 'Umrah before or after Hajj. The Holy Prophet^SAAW said:

 

"An 'Umrah in the month of Ramadan, is equivalent to a Hajj, or equal to the pilgrimage performed in my company."  [Ibn Abbas, Bukhari and Muslim, Riyad-Us-Saliheen, The Book of Hajj]

 

The Season of Hajj:

Hajj is performed in the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth month of lunar year:

 

The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar) months (i. e. the 10^th, the 11^th months, and the first ten days of the 12^th of the Islamic calendar).  So, whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihram), then he should not have sexual relations, nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj.  And whatever good you do (be sure) Allah knows it.  And take a provision for the journey (with you), but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness).  So, fear Me, o men of understanding.  (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:197)

 

The month of Shawwal, Dhul-Qa'dah, and Dhul-Hijjah (up to the tenth day) are set apart for the rites of Hajj.  That is to say, the first rite may begin as early as the beginning of Shawwal, with a definite approach to Makkah: (before the days of advance transportation) people from long distance had to start the journey before the Hajj season began; having performed 'Umrah, they stayed on, to perform the formal Hajj. 

 

The chief rites of Hajj are concentrated on the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and specially on the 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th day: 8^th day is the day of assembly (in Ihram) in the valley of Mina, 9^th is the day of 'Arafah, and 10^th is the day of Ramy (Jamarat), and Udhyia (sacrifice):  

 

            "…and remember the Name of Allah on appointed days (10^th through 13^th), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice), [at the time of their slaughtering by saying: (Bismillah, Wallahu-Akbar, Allahumma Minka wa Ilika)].  Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor having a hard time.  Then let them complete their prescribed duties (Manasik of Hajj), and perform their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient House (the Ka'bah at Makkah)."  (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:28-29)

 

The 11^th, 12^th, and 13^th of Dhul-Hijjah, the days after sacrifice, are called the days of Tashriq, the extended days, for further worship and praise of Allah^SWT, business, education, and conferences.  Staying in Mina for these days are optional, the Hujjaj can leave on the second or third day:

 

            "And remember Allah during the appointed Days {by saying Allahu Akbar much and while slaughtering the Hady (the animal), and during the Ramy (of Jamarat).  But whosoever hastes to leave in two days, there is no sin on him, and whosoever stays on, there is no sin on him, if his aim is to do good and obey Allah (fear Allah), and know that you will surely be gathered unto Him."  (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:203)

 

However, if there is a need to complete the slaughtering, and/or fasting (three days) [as Fidyah (ransom) for being ill (to complete the Manasik), or having to have the scalp shaved (before completing the obligatory rites), because of scalp/hair disease], one may extend his stay until the end of Tashriq:

 

"…and when you are in peaceful conditions (again), if anyone wishes to continue the 'Umrah on to Hajj, he must make an offering such as he can afford, but if he cannot afford it, he should fast three days during the Hajj, and seven days on his return…"  (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:196)

 

Purpose of Hajj:

The primary purpose of Hajj is to proclaim Tauhid (Monotheism) and denounce polytheism: "Behold! We gave the site to Ibrahim, of the Sacred House, saying: "Associate not anything (in worship) with Me; sanctify My House…"  (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:26),

 

And the purpose is expressed in Talbiya: "Labbaika Allahumma Labbaik, Labbaika La-Shirikalaka, Labbaik.  Innal Hamda wan-ni'mata laka Wal Mulk, La Sharika Laka.

 

Tauhid is encompassing of "Believing in Allah and worshipping Him Alone", but "the worship of Him Alone" must be categorically established by denouncing any association with Him, and confirming that it is Allah Alone Who is the Object of worship.

 

The spiritual purpose of Hajj is to attain Taqwa.  Hajj is much more than physical preparation and undertaking the journey along with the required provisions. In fact, the best of provisions in addition to material provision, is the spiritual provision of Taqwa: "The Love and Fear of Allah" in the heart, manifested through our total submission in following His Command and Manasiks, in not violating the Symbols, and in pleasing Him through our actions and behavior:

 

"…And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it.  And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is the right conduct (Taqwa).  So, fear Me, O you, who are wise."  (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:197)

 

Thus, Hajj is a worship that teaches us to mend our overall conduct by avoiding sexual relationship, bad languages, and quarreling, and admonitions, and to have Taqwa, depicted in "fear and love of Allah".  Qur'an emphasizes Taqwa as the best of all provisions, and admonishes mankind to make Taqwa as the goal of all worship: "O mankind!  Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you, so that you become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)".  (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:21)

 

 

 

Command of Hajj:

Command for Hajj came in two stages: 

The first command came to Ibrahim^AS when he was guided to Makkah (Bacca), and shown the site of the Ancient House, and commanded to denounce polytheism, and sanctify the House for those who compass it round, or stand up, or bow, or prostrate themselves (in prayer).  He was asked to proclaim Hajj among people, and was assured that people will come on foot or on camels from distant places:

 

"And proclaim pilgrimage among mankind: they will come to you on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways, that they may witness the benefit provided for them…"  (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:27-28)

 

When Ibrahim^AS was commanded to make the proclamation for Hajj, he asked: "O Lord! How can I convey this to people, when my voice will not reach them?"  It was said: "Call them and We will convey it."

It is said that when he made the call, the mountains lowered themselves, so that his voice will reach all corners of the earth, and those who were still in their mother's womb, and in their father's loin, would hear the call.  The response came from everyone in the cities, deserts, and countryside, those whom Allah^SWT has decreed, will make the pilgrimage, till the Day of Resurrection.  They will come declaring Tauhid and denouncing polytheism: "O Allah! (We are) at Your service, O Allah! (We are) at Your service."     [Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Ikrimiah, Sa'id Ibn Jubayr, At-Tabarani,18:605-607)

 

Since the time of Ibrahim^AS, Hajj has been celebrated by mankind on fixed days in the prescribed month of the year.  Thus, yearly pilgrimage had become an ancient tradition.  According to Ibn Kathir, Ibrahim's progeny from both his sons (Isma'il and Isaac)^AS regularly made Hajj. And this tradition still continues, because, even outside the season of Hajj, people visit the Sacred Precinct round the year for 'Umrah, safety and security, and for the purpose of trade.

 

In the second stage, the Command for mandatory Hajj (as pillar of Islam) was revealed in A.H. 9 (CE 631). It was proclaimed the same year in the Pilgrimage gathering in Makkah.  That year, Abu Bakr^RA had already left Medina, to lead the pilgrimage on behalf of the Prophet^SAAW.

When the Command was revealed, the Prophet^SAAW sent Ali^RA with the message to catch up with Abu Bakr, and the pilgrimage, and to proclaim that Hajj has become mandatory (as a pillar of Islam).  When Ali reached Abu Bakr, he (Ali^RA), with permission of Abu Bakr^RA, read the Injunction to the Pilgrims (that from that year on, Hajj is mandatory, and it is a pillar of Islam).  The day happened to be the 10^th of Dhul-Hijja. It is called the great day of Dhu-Hijjah, because the great days of pilgrimage are the 9^th day (the day of Arafa) or the 10^th day (the day of Sacrifice) of Dhul-Hijja:

 

"And a declaration from Allah and His Messenger, to the people on the greatest day (the 10^th of Dhul-Hijjah) ---that Allah is free from (all) obligations to the Mushrikun, and so is His Messenger…"  (Surah At-Taubah, 9:3)

 

The Holy Prophet^SAAW made his first Hajj the following year, A.H. 10 (632 CE).  It is called Al-Hajj Al-Wida, the Farewell Pilgrimage.  It was the day of 'Arafah, he delivered the last Sermon:

"Verily your blood, your property are as sacred and inviolable as the sacredness of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this town of yours. Behold! Everything pertaining to the Days of Ignorance is under my feet completely abolished. Abolished are also the blood-revenges of the Days of Ignorance. The first claim of ours on blood-revenge which I abolish is that of the son of Rabi'a b. al-Harith, who was nursed among the tribe of Sa'd and killed by Hudhail. And the usury of the pre-Islamic period is abolished, and the first of our usury I abolish is that of 'Abbas b. 'Abd al-Muttalib, for it is all abolished. Fear Allah concerning women! Verily you have taken them on the security of Allah, and intercourse with them has been made lawful unto you by words of Allah. You too have right over them, and that they should not allow anyone to sit on your bed whom you do not like. But if they do that, you can chastise them but not severely. Their rights upon you are that you should provide them with food and clothing in a fitting manner. I have left among you the Book of Allah, and if you hold fast to it, you would never go astray. And you would be asked about me (on the Day of Resurrection), (now tell me) what would you say? They (the audience) said: We will bear witness that you have conveyed (the message), discharged (the ministry of Prophethood) and given wise (sincere) counsel. He (the narrator) said: He (the Holy Prophet) then raised his forefinger towards the sky and pointing it at the people (said): "O Allah, be witness. O Allah, be witness," saying it thrice."  [Sahih Muslim Book 15, Hadith 159]. 

The proof of Divine Testimony was revealed to the Prophet^SAAW, while he was coming down from mount Arafat to the plain of Arafat.  The revelation was that the Religion of Islam was perfected, Divine Blessings (on the believers), have been completed, and He has chosen Islam as the Religion of the Muslim Ummah [Umar bin Khattab, recorded in Bukhari, Muslim, At-Tirmidhi, and An-Nasa'i]:

 

"This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you, and chosen for you Islam as your religion."  (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:3)

 

 

 

 

 

Mohammed Uddin

msuddin5@sbcglobal.net

https://nusrat-uddin.blogspot.com/

Our Human Identity

Our Human Identity: Khalifah of Allah

Mohammad Siraj Uddin

 

Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), the Creator of the heavens and the earth, called mankind His khalifah, placing him on earth to administer His rules and to inherit it.  He sent guidance as well as teachers to teach and preach His guidance. He entrusted mankind with His trust, the Amanah of Tawhîd. He gifted everyone with countless blessings, raising one above another in order to test them in their belief and obedience:  

"It is He Who hath made you (His) agents [Arabic, plural: khalââ'ifa], inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."  [Surah Al-An'âm, 6: 165]

The spiritual history of mankind is intimately related to the creation of the heavens and the earth.  In the scientific world, the age of the universe is reckoned at about 15 billion years, while that of our solar system is about 8.5 billion, and that of our earth is about 4.5 billion.  The Holy Qur'an, however, gives a different kind of account: it does not refer to the age of various stages of creation, but it refers to the state of existence at different stages of development of the universe.  

 

What was Created and Molded and Formed in Preparation for Man?

The Quranic account refers to the primordial existence of the universe, when the heavens and the earth were joined together and then split asunder (21: 30); then, the heavens existed in the form of 'smoke' (41:11).  This smoke was made into seven firmaments. The earth was prepared and enriched for sustaining life. This spanned a total of six Eons. 

"Say: Is it that ye deny Him Who created the earth in two Days? And do ye join equals with Him? He is the Lord of (all) the Worlds. He set on the (earth), mountains standing firm, high above it, and bestowed blessings on the earth, and measure therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportion, in four Days, in accordance with (the needs of) those who seek (Sustenance)" [Surah Fussilat, 41: 9-10]

 

 From the following verse, also, it appears that the creation of the earth and its preparation was designed primarily to support its future human life:  

"It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; more over His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He hath perfect knowledge."  [Surah Al-Baqara, 2:29]

Definitive human knowledge regarding the overall framework of creation is limited to that which has been prophetically revealed by Allah. The Holy Qur'an refers to this knowledge as largely within the realm of "knowledge unknown."  It is only the Creator, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), who holds the keys to that knowledge: 

"And with Him are the keys of the ghaib (all that is hidden); none knows them except Him.  And he knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it.  There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a clear Record." [Surah Al-An'âm, 6: 59] 

In addition to the important relationship between the creation of mankind and the creation of the universe, likewise, human spiritual history is related to the creation of unseen entities, like angels and jinns, which have significant impacts on the spiritual development of human beings: 

The angels are the protectors of human beings in this life as well as in the Hereafter; they maintain the records of human actions and accompany us before the Court of Justice:

 

"Verily, those who say: "our Lord is Allah (Alone)," and then stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): "Fear not, nor grieve!  But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised! We have been your friends in the life of this world, and are (so) in the Hereafter…".  (Surah Fussilat, 41:30-31) 

"And every person will come forth along with an (angel) to drive (him) and an (angel) to bear witness…and his companion angel will say: "Here is (this record) ready with me!"  (Surah Qaf, 50:21-23)

 

The jinn are of two kinds; the believing jinn and the non-believing jinn. The non-believing jinn like Iblis and his group are enemies of human beings and a source of misguidance.  Angels and jinn were created before the creation of human beings: the angels from light (Hadith), and the jinn from smokeless fire: 

"We created man from sounding clay, from mud molded into shape;
 And the Jinn race, We had created beforehand, from the fire of a scorching wind." [Surah Al-Hijr, 15:26-27]

In the visible world, matter came into existence with the divine command "Be!" (2:117). Everything else in the biological world, both moving and non-moving, was then created from the dust of the earth.  The moving creatures are called dââbbah:

"And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures (dââbbah) that He has scattered through them and He has Power to gather them together when He wills." [Surah Al-Shura, 42:29]

"And Allah has created every animal (dââbbah) from water: of them there are some that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four.  Allah creates what He wills…" [Surah An-Nur, 24: 45]

The common spiritual purpose that threads through all of His creations is their worship of the Creator, and that message is ingrained in the nature of all His creations.  Every creation instinctively follows that rule except for the jinns and men: The pebbles make 'tasbih,' the trees make 'prostrations' (through their inclining shadows, 13:15), and the angels devoutly obey and glorify Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala, 39:75). 

The jinns and men, on the other hand, have been allowed a will, called the "Prescriptive Will," which allows them to choose between belief and disbelief, obedience and rebellion.  They are fully informed about the consequence of any choice they make. They have an inborn instinct to worship, but they are not forced to believe or to disbelieve, to obey or to disobey (2: 256). This freedom to choose, measured against the backdrop of divine guidance, forms the basis of the trial of life (67:2).  

 

Allah Created and Shaped Mankind according to His Design and Purpose

After the creation of the Universe, preparation of the earth, and creation of all visible (dââbbah) and non-visible (angels and jinn) creatures, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) decided to send His khalifah to the earth.  It was a long period of time before mankind appeared in the realm of creation.  It is a relatively a recent phenomenon:

"Has it ever occurred to man that there was a long period of time when he was nothing even to be mentioned?" [Surah Al-Insân, 76:1]

The creation of the khalifah and his advent on earth was heralded by a proclamation to the angels in the following verse:

"Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? - whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not." [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:30]

As the angels were created before the creation of human beings, they had knowledge that previous creations (including jinn) had caused mischief and bloodshed on earth. As a result, they were wondering whether the new creation (the khalifah) would do the same thing on earth, and whether their own worship and glorification of Allah had not been sufficient!  So, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) admonished them saying that He knows about the future of the new creation (the khalifah) which they do not. (See the comment by Al-Qurtubi below). 

Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) created the first human being (bashar) from clay (38:71) and addressed him as 'Adam' (2: 31).  He fashioned Adam's physical mold with His own Two Hands and gave him a spiritual mold comprising of Rûh (spirit), Nafs (soul), a spiritual heart (Qalb), Nasiyyah (forebrain), knowledge and A'qal:

"We have indeed created man in the best of molds" [Surah Al-Tin, 95: 4]

 Adam was a prophet and according to most commentators, he was also a messenger, as he received revelation (2: 37-38), and he was chosen by Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) like other messengers (3:33) for his mission:

His responsibility as Allah's khalifah was to be the trustee of amanah (moral responsibility), to believe in Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) and in His intrinsic Unity, to practice and preach the principles of Tawhîd, to restore law and order on earth per Divine Guidance, to be the judge in disputes between people, to forbid injustice, and to be the father of mankind (Al-Qurtubi).

"We did indeed offer the Trust (amânah) to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it; He was indeed unjust and foolish." [Surah Al-Ahzâb, 33:72]

"O mankind! Revere your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created of like nature His mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women…" [Surah Al-Nisâ', 4:1]

Our parents, Adam and Hawwa, lived a long life.  They had multitudes of children.  According to some narrations (Stories of the Prophets, Ibn Kathir) Adam was able to see forty thousand of his descendants before his death. After Adam's death, his children inherited responsibility for the earth and continued the preaching of Tawhîd:

"It is He Who hath made you (His) agents [khalââ'ifa], inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."  [Surah Al-An'âm, 6:165]

Preparation of the human being to be the rightful inheritors of the earth, and to carry the responsibility inherent in the Creator's Trust, took place in several stages. 

 

Three Stages of the New Human Creation

The first stage in preparation for each new human being is the testimony to the 'Primordial Covenant,' regarding his recognition of the Lordship of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala).  The covenant was confirmed between Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) and the souls of all future human beings, entered upon possibly some thousands of years before the physical creation of mankind: 

When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves (saying): "Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?"  They said: "Yea! We do testify!" (This,) lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: "Of this we were never mindful…" [Surah Al-A'râf, 7:172]

Thus, man knows in his/her inner self that Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) is the Creator and Sustainer of the creations; ignoring, denying or preaching otherwise is sheer arrogance and rebellion.  

The second stage is the creation of the spiritual human being in conjunction with the development of the physical mold:  

"…He makes you in the womb of your mothers in stages, one after another, in three veils of darkness…" [Surah Al-Zamar, 39: 6]

The creation of the basic units of life, needed for pregnancy to continue, must take place in a very short period of time after conception.  This process is similar in all gestational species.  In the case of the human being, this vital phase, called the embryonic period, lasts for the first eight weeks.

From the scientific point of view, at the beginning of the ninth week, the embryo enters the fetal stage. At this stage, the differential development per the human genomic constitution takes place, and the fetus becomes recognizable as a human fetus. This human fetus is a unique creation, biologically different from all other creations. The following verse shows the convergence of scientific and Qur'anic concepts of human creation:

"Then, We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature, [Arabic: khalqan âkhar]. So blessed be Allah, the best to create!"  [Surah Al-Mu'minûn, 23:14]

From the spiritual point of view, as the fetus continues to grow in size and weight, and reaches the end of the fourth month of gestation, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) sends an angel to blow His Rûh [His breath of life] into it.  With the entry of the Rûh, the fetus acquires its spiritual potential.  Now it is fundamentally different from all other creations, in terms of both physical and spiritual attributes.  In Qur'anic language the human creation is termed the khalqan âkhar, "an entirely different [kind of] creation":

RasulAllah (ﷺ) said: "A human being is put together in the womb of the mother during forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his (i. e. the new creature's) deeds, his livelihood, his (date of) death, and whether he will be blessed or wretched (in religion). Then the Rûh is breathed into him and Allah's Qaḍa about him is written…"  (Bukhari, Vol. 4, #549)

This Qaḍa includes his or her gender, longevity, sustenance, personality (happy or miserable), time and place of death.

[Note: From the Fiqh point of view, the entry of Rûh [Allah's breath of life] and creation of khalqan âkhar is a crucial event that draws the line between the permissibility and prohibition of willful abortion.]

 

The third stage is giving the khalifah a nature (fitrah) that is consistent with his role and responsibilities. The components of human nature are structured on the blueprint of Tawhîd. Tawhîd (monotheism) is part and parcel of the essence of Allah's Religion. Mankind is designed and ordered to strictly follow the Religion of Allah as a monotheist (hanîfa):

 "So, direct your face toward the [true] Religion, inclining to truth (hanîfa): [Adhere to] the Fitrah of Allah, upon which He has created [all] people]. No change is there to be in the creation (khalq) of Allah. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know." [Surah Al-Rûm, 30:30]

Man's divinely-structured nature (Tauhidi Fitrah) is an abstract entity, the code of which is ingrained in the DNA of his creation. Accordingly, man is monotheistic by nature, and he is a believer by birth. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"No child is born except in a state of Fitrah… Just as each animal produces a perfect animal like itself, do you see any among them that are born mutilated?" (Narrated by Abu Hurayrah)

Human nature is further reinforced with the virtues of justice, a sense of good and evil, compassion, rationality, and a free will:

"Verily, Allah enjoins Al-'Adl (justice), Al-Ihsan (excellent deeds), giving to kith and kin, and forbids Al-Fahsha (shameful deeds), Al-Munkar (what is prohibited by Islamic law) and Al-Baghy (oppression)…" [Surah Al-Nahl, 16:90]

Beware of Corrupting Allah's Blueprint - 

The human being, the creation (khalq) of Allah, is comprised of both physical and spiritual attributes, and DNA is at the center of these natural propensities. Any purported change in any of these predispositions would have to be based on a manipulation of DNA; further, any such manipulation would change the Blueprint, and therefore his nature (Fitrah). Put another way, any such manipulation would change the default settings established by Allah. 

From a scientific point of view, any artificial manipulation of an otherwise normal human gene can lead to physical abnormalities, which could be harmful.  Man is thus informed and warned about the consequence of DNA-tampering. The Holy Qur'an equates any such attempt with an act of Shaytan:

"[Satan said to God]: Verily, I will mislead them, and surely, I will arouse in them false desires; and certainly, I will order them to split the ears of cattle, and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allah.  And whoever takes Shaytan as a Wali…" [Surah Al-Nisa, 4:119]

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said in a Hadith al-Qudsi that Allah said: 

"I created my servants hunafa' (that is, monotheistic), then the Shaytan misled them from their religion." (Muslim 4:2197)

It is natural for human beings to search for their Creator, and the best way to find Him is to believe in His Signs in creation and to contemplate on them (Surah Ṣââd, 38: 29). Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) is known by His Signs. The attributes of His Beautiful Names are manifested in all spheres of creation; it may be in the microsphere of the atom or the macro-sphere of the sky and whatever is in between.  The human being is a special creation, in and of itself a miniature universe! Thus, the realm of creation is an open book for contemplation and for knowing the Creator.

In his contemplation, when man turns his spiritual eye to the environment around him, he finds proof of Allah's handiwork and its significance, and the proof of His Creative Power; he marvels at the beauty, discipline, harmony and unity that prevail in nature.  

And, when he turns his eye inward, he finds his lowly origin: that he has been made of dust and that he will return to dust.  He realizes that there is someone who has put the dust together and given life to it (which no one else can do), and that there is someone who envelops him with his mercy and provides for him. Thus, he comes on his own terms to belief in Allah and submits himself in reverence to the Omnipotence and Omniscience of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). This is the nature of creation, the Khalq-Allah.  This is the true Belief!  

Any tampering with creation (khalq-Allah) or with Allah's Religion (Tawhîd), or both, can lead only to corruption of both the physical and spiritual molds in which man is made. Therefore, the warning, "Let there be no change in Allah's creation."

 

In summary, the article has reviewed the creation of the universe and the creation of the human being, and it has testified to the Creative Power of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala).  It has addressed the creation of Adam and his progeny and highlighted his role as khalifah and his status as 'khalqan akhar.'  It has characterized his status as having been supplied with a distinct nature (fitrah).  Man, and his normative belief are Allah's creation, and these are dealt with in the Qur'an as the khalq-Allah.  It has emphasized the consequence of wishful manipulation of DNA and warned against the corrupting consequences.  

 

Mohammed Uddin

msuddin5@sbcglobal.net

https://nusrat-uddin.blogspot.com/

Mohammed Uddin

msuddin5@sbcglobal.net

https://nusrat-uddin.blogspot.com/