Umm Muhammed Umar

Radio Islam spoke to Maulana Ebrahim Bham, who is currently in Aziziyah, awaiting the Hajj, about the concept of a Jumuah Hajj. Maulana said that an ‘Akbari Hajj’ generally is taken to mean that the day of Arafaat, in Saudi Arabia, will fall on a Friday. However, he explained that the Ulama have different interpretations of the term ‘Akbari Hajj’. Nevertheless, there is a riwayat, which says that Hajj on a Friday is 70 times more superior. Maulana said that we should bear in mind that the scenario is very different when Hajj falls on a Friday. He said that Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) had experienced Hajj on a Friday, and that it brings forth the aspect of it being Jumuah: “the prevailing Hanafi view on the matter is we don’t do the Jumuah in Arafaat.” He added, “yes it is different and we are looking forward to it because its more virtuous, more superior, as has been mentioned by many other Ulama.”

Maulana said that if we do not yearn to come to the Haram in these Holy days, then in a sense we are not believers. True believers are tied and attached to the Kaaba, which we face every day in Salaah. He advised that people who have been unable to come to the Haramain should hang onto that yearning, and that, Allah Willing, one day it would be possible for them to attend. He asked that Dua be made for the Hujjaaj, that their Hajj be accepted and that Allah make it easy for them. Maulana was reminded of a verse from the Holy Quraan which reads: Call unto Allah Subhaana wa Ta’ala in fear and in anticipation. He explained that that was currently the state of the Hujjaaj – they fear that they are not worthy of the Hajj due to their sins, yet there is an amazing sense of anticipation and excitement at the ever-nearing approach of the 5 days of Hajj. Maulana requested that the listeners make Dua that they would be granted all that they anticipate, and that Allah the Almighty keep their fears away from them.