A LIVING RELIGION NEEDS BOTH MOSQUE AND SACRIFICE
The life-giving religion of Islam emphasizes both worship and sacrifice. Offering one's life in the way of the religion can safeguard its survival. A true Muslim, while being man of prayer, is man of fighting against the enemies of God. In the same wa
The life-giving religion of Islam emphasizes both worship and sacrifice. Offering one's life in the way of the religion can safeguard its survival. A true Muslim, while being man of prayer, is man of fighting against the enemies of God. In the same way that God has made the Kaaba a place of security, �(And when) We made the House a pilgrimage for men and a (place of) security. (The Holy Quran; 2:125),� He had made sacrifice a source of blessing for human beings, �And (as for) the camels, We have made them of the signs of the religion of Allah for you; for you therein is much good. (The Holy Quran; 22:36)� God has mentioned camels because they are the most expensive among the animals offered for sacrifice implying that we should sacrifice the dearest thing for the sake of God.
�Most surely the first house appointed for men is the one at Bekka, blessed and guidance for the nations. (The Holy Quran; 3:96)�
Nevertheless, the question of sacrifice does not solely belong to Islam; rather former nations too were duty-bound to discharge this divine order: وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنْسَكاً لِيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللهِ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الأَنْعَامِ
�And to every nation We appointed acts of devotion that they may mention the name of Allah on what He has given them of the cattle quadrupeds. (The Holy Quran; 22:34)�
The offering of sacrifice by sons of Adam, the first kind of itself is mentioned in the Holy Quran: وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ابْنَيْ آدَمَ بِالْحَقِّ إِذْ قَرَّبَا قُرْبَانَاً فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهَمَا وَلَمْ يُتَقَبَّلْ مِنَ الآخَرِ
�And relate to them the story of the two sons of Adam with truth when they both offered an offering, but it was accepted from one of them and was not accepted from the other. (5:27)�
To sum it up, in the same way that Islam emphasizes the value of the congregation in Mecca and the tight ranks of Muslim worshippers
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in prayer, �you will see them bowing down, prostrating themselves, seeking grace from Allah and pleasure, (The Holy Quran; 48:29),� it stresses sacrifice as symbol of courage, freedom, and fighting in defence of truth. Therefore, Eid ul-Adha (feast of sacrifice) in Mina represents both the spirit of devotion and submission of the Muslim nations to God and dazzles the eyes of the atheists before faith, unity, resolution, and self-sacrifice of Muslims.
Since God's commandments are poly-dimensional, in the study of the Islamic precepts certain aspects must be ignored while other aspects and advisability must be taken into consideration. For instance, the Holy Quran expressly makes ensuring the social life conditional upon execution of murderers and the carrying out of law of retribution, �And there is life for you in (the law of) retaliation, O men of understanding. (2:179),� or the Quranic ruling on an adulterer, �(As for) the fornicatress and the fornicator, flog each of them, (giving) a hundred stripes, and let not pity for them detain you in the matter of obedience to Allah, if you believe in Allah and the last day, and let a party of believers witness their chastisement. (24:2),� we see that pity for a fornicator has been prohibited, for it is tantamount to disbelief in Allah and the Day of Judgment. The reason a party of believers should witness the chastisement of the committers of fornication is to set an example for others and to ensure the chastity and purity of the society. The Holy Quran regards the dignity and soundness of the society above those of individuals.
Challenging the Quranic Verse, �And (as for) the man who steals and the woman who steals, cut off their hands, (5:38)� a biased person asked, �How is it that a hand the worth of which (blood money) is five hundred mitigals of gold has to be cut off for a stolen object worth quarter a dinar?� A witty scholar responded, �Honesty has made those hands worthy while theft and dishonesty have made the same hands worthless.�
We should comprehend the philosophy of God's commandment. In the above-mentioned ruling, too, the interests of individuals have been sacrificed for those of society so that people will live in sound society.
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kindness and in consideration of His servant's weakness, is content with the sacrifice of an animal and accepts it as symbol of self-sacrifice in His way provided that the servant, by sacrificing this animal, sacrifices his bestial inclinations such as greed, jealousy, love of position and fame, mischief, pessimism, and other vices, saying with firmness: وَجَّهتُ وَجهِيَ لِلذِي فَطَرَ السّماواتِ والأرْضَ.
�Surely I have turned myself, being upright, wholly to Him Who originated the heavens and the earth. (The Holy Quran; 6:79)�
While doing this, he should remember the Quranic Verse: لَنْ يَنَالَ اللهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَكِنْ يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَى مِنْكُمْ
�There does not reach Allah their flesh nor their blood, but to Him is acceptable the guarding (against evil) on your part. (22:37)�
God truly seeks His servant's piety and this virtue cannot be obtained save by killing carnal desires and Satanic temptations. وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الهَوَى فَإِنَّ الجَنَّةَ هِيَ المَأْوَى
�And as for him who fears to stand in the presence of his Lord and forbids the soul from low desires, 41. Then surely the garden-- that is the abode. (The Holy Quran; 79:40-1)� وَأُزْلِفَتِ الْجَنَّةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
�And the garden shall be brought near for those who guard against evil. (The Holy Quran; 26:90)�
Imam Sajjad (a.s) posed the following questions to a man who had just returned from Mecca on the philosophy of Hajj: فعِندَما ذَبحتَ هَدْيَكَ نَوَيتَ أنكَ ذبحتَ حَنجَرَة َالطَّمعِ بما تمسّكْتَ بهِ مِن حقيقةِ الوَرَعِ وأنكَ اتّبعتَ سُنَّةَ إبراهيمَ عليهِ السّلامُ بِذَبْحِ وَلَدِهِ وثمرَةِ فُؤادِهِ وريحانِ قلبِهِ.
�When offering sacrifice, did you intend to sacrifice greed by restoring to piety? Did you pay attention to the fact that you were following Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) who took his endeared son to the sacrifice place for Allah's satisfaction?� 1
Describing the pious, Imam Ali (a.s) says:
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1 See al-Mustadrak; vol. 2 p. 184 section 17 hadith 5
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ميِّتةً شَهوتُهُ مَكظوماً غَيظُهُ، الخَيرُ منهُ مأمولٌ والشرُّ مِنه مأمونٌ.
�� His desires deed and his anger suppressed. Good alone is expected from him. Evil from him in not to be feared.�1
The same people, on the Day of Judgment when only the pure heart counts, will be honored by God. يَوْمَ لاَ يَنْفَعُ مَالٌ وَلاَ بَنُونَ, ِإلاّ مَنْ أَتَى اللهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ
�The day on which property will not avail, nor sons except him who comes to Allah with a heart free from evil. (The Holy Quran; 26:88-9)�
Actually, Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) was not asked to sacrifice his son, but to have a pure heart: وَإِنَّ مِنْ شِيعَتِهِ لإِبْرَاهِيمَ. إِذْ جَاءَ رَبَّهُ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ
�And most surely Ibrahim followed his way when he came to his Lord with a free heart. (The Holy Quran; 37:83-4)�
Since sacrificing an animal indicates spiritual state and free heart, it has become an act of worship among the Hajj rites: ذَلِكَ وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِنْ تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ
�That (shall be so); and whoever respects the signs of Allah, this surely is (the outcome) of the piety of hearts. (The Holy Quran; 22:32)�
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1 See Nahjul Balagha; sermon 193 �About the Pious-
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duty-bound to pay 'fitriyah' as much as three kilos of food prevailing in the city to the needy. On Eid ul-Adha, too, it is obligatory on those in Mina and recommended for those in other countries to sacrifice an animal and give its meat to the poor. The Holy Quran says: قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ تَزَكَّى. وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّى?
�He indeed shall be successful who purifies himself, and magnifies the name of his Lord and prays. (The Holy Quran; 87:14-5)�
In this Verse, purification of wealth precedes prayer, though purification also implies cleansing oneself of the filth of worldly attachments. We should note that prayer consolidates man's relation with God and zakat creates love among individuals of society. Both are necessary for the happy life of society.
Offering sacrifice has a double aim�to get close to God and to receive His mercy, and secondly by distributing meat among the poor, one can win hearts of the needy and be worthy of their duaa.
�And (as for) the camels, We have made them of the signs of the religion of Allah for you; for you therein is much good; therefore mention the name of Allah on them as they stand in a row, then when they fall down eat of them and feed the poor man who is contented and the beggar; thus have We made them subservient to you, that you may be grateful. (The Holy Quran; 22:36)� فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ
�Then eat of them and feed the distressed one, the needy. (The Holy Quran; 22:28)�
Abu-Sabbah Kanani says: I asked the opinion of Imam Sadiq (a.s) about the meat of sacrifice animal, he (a.s) said: كانَ عَلِيُّ بنَ الحُسينِ وأبو جَعفَرٍ عليهِما السلامُ يَتَصَدَّقانِ بِثُلُثٍ عَلى جيرانِهِم وثُلُثٍ على السُّؤّالِ وثُلُثٍ يُمسِكونَهُ لأهلِ البيتِ.
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�Imam Sajjad and Imam Baqir (a.s) used to give a third of it to neighbors, another third to beggars, and the remaining third was for the family members.�
It is therefore incumbent upon the heads of the Islamic nations to create well-equipped organizations for distributing the meat of sacrificed animals among the needy on an international level, by getting permission from the religious authorities in order to realize both the Quranic ruling and to display to the world people an example of the sublime Islamic teachings.
Mohammad ibn Muslim says: I asked Imam Sadiq (a.s) whether it is permissible to take the meat of the sacrificed animals out of Mina. He (a.s) answered: كُنّا نقولُ لا يخرُجُ مِنها شيءٌ لِحاجَةِ الناسِ إليهِ، فأمّا اليومَ فَقَد كَثُرَ الناسُ فَلا بأسَ بِإخراجِهِ
�Formerly, people of Mecca were in need for them, but today because of too many pilgrims and sacrifices, their being taken out of Mina is no problem.�1
Under the present circumstances and due to lack of well-equipped organizations, part of the sacrificed animals is unfortunately buried. Nevertheless, this loss has to be tolerated, for the sublime goal of presenting the socio-political aspect of Hajj will be ensured. That is to say, the financial aspect of the event has to be sacrificed for its socio-political aspect.
Imam Reza says: التَّفَثُ تَقليمُ الأظافِرِ وطَرحُ الوسَخِ وطَرحُ الإحرامِ عنه
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1 See al-Kafi; vol. 4 p. 500 hadith 7
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�The Arabic word 'tafath �mentioned in the Holy Quran-' means to clip the nails, to remove dirt, and to come out of the state of Ihram.�1
Evidently, this is the surface meaning, but the in-depth meaning is purification of soul from filth of vices.
Imam Sadiq (a.s) says: واحلِقِ العُيوبَ الظّاهِرةَ والباطِنةَ بحَلقِ شَعرِكَ
�By shaving your head, remove all inward and outward flaws.�2
Imam Sajjad (a.s) posed the following questions to a man who had returned from Mecca: فَعِندَما حَلقْتَ رَأسَكَ، نَوَيتَ أنكَ تَطَهّرتَ مِن الأدناسِ ومِن تَبِعَةِ بني آدمَ وخَرَجتَ مِن الذّنوبِ كما وَلدتكَ أُمُّكَ
�Did you have the intention to cleanse yourself from all pollutions and violations of rights of people and do without wrongdoings as if you were born of your mother when shaving your head in Mina?�3
According to other hadiths, the word 'tafath' means to meet the Imam.
Thareeh asked Imam Sadiq (a.s) about the meaning of the above-mentioned Quranic Verse to which the Imam said: التّفَثُ لِقاءُ الإمامِ
�'tafath' means to meet the Imam.�4
By meeting Imam Mahdi (a.s), darkness of ignorance turns into light of knowledge, virtues replace vices, and an inner purification comes about. About such people the Holy Quran says: اَلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الْصَّاِلحَاتِ طُوبَى لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَآبٍ
�(As for) those who believe and do good, a good final state shall be theirs and a goodly return. (The Holy Quran; 13:29)�
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1 See al-Wafi; vol. 2 Kitab al-Hajj
2 See Misbah ush-Shari'a; chapter 21.
3 See Mustadrak ul-Wasaail; vol. 2
4 See al-Wafi; vol. 2 Ziyarat
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مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحاً مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَو أُنْثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طّيَِبَةً
�Whoever does good whether male or female and he is a believer, We will most certainly make him live a happy life. (The Holy Quran; 16:97)�
Hence, the Imam (a.s) drew people's attention to their duties by saying: اِبدَؤوا بمَكَّةَ واخْتِموا بِنا
�Begin your Hajj from Mecca and complete it with our visitation.�1
By visitation, it is meant to renew one's pledge with the Imam and to follow him. Failing to feel the presence of the Imam, they will look like a flock without shepherd, dispersed and exposed to wolves' attack. Hence, the only benefit to Halq and Taqsir in Mina is a physical purification and nothing more. Even their Eid will lost its true meaning and the sorrows of men of understanding will increase. In this relation, Abdullah ibn Dinar quotes Imam Baqir (a.s) as saying: ما مِنْ عيدٍ للمُسلمِينَ أضحى ولا فِطْرٍ إلاّ وهُو يَتَجدّدُ فيهِ لآلِ محَمَّدٍ صلّى الله عليهِ وآلهِ حُزنٌ... لأِنّهم يَرَونَ حَقَّهم في يدِ غيرِهِم.
�There is no single Eid ul-Fitr or Eid ul-Adha in which Muslims do not renew their sorrows for the household of the Holy Prophet �the Ahl ul-Bayt (a.s)� because they see their rights in the hands of others.�2
On the Eid days when Muslims congregate, the Imam (a.s) as an 'axis' round whom all should turn must be present. The worshippers must perform prayer under his leadership, sermons have to be delivered, and the boundaries of the religion have to be defended by him. Nevertheless, regrettably, they miss the Imam in all these positions. To whatever direction they go, they do not see any sign of their guardian. When they go for Ramy al-Jamarat, they do not have a commander; when they go to the place of sacrifice, they have no leader; when they perform Halq and Taqsir, there is no sign of the true Reformer and Purifier. The Imam, too, is sad about the disorderly situation of his followers. The Shiite Muslims who miss their master start lamenting. It is for this reason that one of the recommended
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1 See al-Wafi; vol. 2 Ziyarat
2 See Ilal ush-Shara'ie; vol. 2
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duties or Shiite Muslims on Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Eid ul-Ghadir, and Fridays is to read Duaa an-Nudba. 'Nudba' means lamenting in separation from an endeared one, relating a beloved's description, and shedding tears for his absence. Hence, as long as the Shiites are separate from their Imam, they keep on lamenting especially on the said occasions when their sorrows are renewed. A part of Duaa un-Nudba says: فَعَلى الأطائِبِ مِن أهلِ بيتِ محمَّدٍوعَلِيٍّ (صَلى اللهُ عَليهِما وآلهِما) فَليَبْكِ الباكونَ، وإيّاهُم فَلينْدِبِ النّادِبونَ، ولِمِثلِهِم فَلتُذرَفِ الدّموعُ ولْيصْرَخِ الصّارِخونَ ويضِجَّ الضّاجُّونَ ويعِجَّ العاجّونَ. أينَ الحسنُ أينَ الحُسينِ، أين أبناءُ الحُسينِ صالحٌ بعدَ صالحٍ وصادِقٌ بعدَ صادِقٍ. أينَ السبيلُ بعدَ السبيل،ِ أين الخِيَرَةُ بعدَ الخِيَرَةِ، أين الشّموسُ الطّالِعَةُ، أين الأقمارُ المُنيرةُ، أين الأنجُمُ الزّاهِرةُ، أين أعلامُ الدّينِ وقَواعِدُ العلمِ، أين بقِيّة ُاللهِ التي لا تخَلو مِن العترة الهادية.
For the purified ones of the progeny of Mohammad and Ali (may peace be upon both of them and their progeny); the bewailers should cry and the wailers should wail. And for their likes tears should be shed and clamorers should clamor and mourners should mourn in a heart-rending manner: where is Hasan? Where is Hussein? Where are the children of Hussein� the whole righteous and whole truthful? Where is the path after the path of righteousness? Where are the virtuous people after virtuous people? Where are the rising suns? Where are the luminous moons? Where are the emblems of faith and basis of knowledge? Where is Baqiyyatullah that the world cannot be devoid from the presence of guided progeny?�
The Eid of Shiite Muslims will come a day when they see on their heads the shade of the Imam (a.s) who will hoist the banner of monotheism, will put the world on the path of God under the light of his guidance, and will fill the world with security. اَللّهُمَ أرِني الطّلعَةَ الرّشيدَةَ والغِرَّةَ الحَميدَةَ وأَكْحِل ناظِري بِنظرَةٍ مِني إلَيهِ وعَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُ وَسَهِّلْ مَخْرَجَهُ وَأَوْسِعْ مَنْهَجَهُ وَاسْلُكْ بي مَحَجَّتَهُ وأَنفِذْ أَمْرَهُ وَاشْدُدْ أَزْرَهُ
�O Allah, show me that illustrious countenance, and that illuminated forehead, enlighten my eyes with his visit, hasten his reappearance, facilitate his exit, widen his path,
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take me on his path, make his influence pervasive, and support him.�1
�And laud Allah during the numbered days; then whoever hastens off in two days, there is no blame on him and whoever remains behind, there is no blame on him, this is for him who guards against evil. (2:203)�
Imam Sadiq (a.s) is quoted as saying that the 'numbered days' are the same as Tashriq period. During these days, pilgrims who have performed the major parts of the Hajj acts have more free time for becoming familiar with Muslims from other countries.
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1 This statement is a part of Duaa al-Ahd
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�They demolished their houses with their own hands. (The Holy Quran; 58:2)�
The enemy is looking for every chance to create division among Muslims and by using the policy of 'divide to rule' strengthens its own power. The enemy knows that a nation that says 'there is no god but Allah and Mohammad is His Messenger', that is neither attracted by the ornaments of the world nor fears death (martyrdom), that, according to the Holy Quran, is �ranks as if they were a firm and compact wall,�1 will foil the enemy's plot with its individuals' unity and solidarity.
Unfortunately, one billion Muslims believing in One God, one prophet, one Book, and Kiblah and standing side by side in congregational prayer and Hajj ranks are poled apart. This is the same danger the Holy Prophet (saw) expressed in his Farewell Hajj: فلا تَرجِعُنَّ بعدي كُفّاراً يضرِبُ بَعضُكُم رِقابَ بعضٍ، فإنّي قد تَركتُ فيكُم ما إنْ أخَذتم بهِ لن تَضِلوا: كتابَ اللهِ وعِترتي أهلَ بَيتي. ألا هَل بلّغتُ؟ اللّهُمَّ فَاشْهَدْ.
�O Muslims, do not convert to atheism after me by killing each other, for I have left with you two things�if you resort to them you will never go astray; the Book of Allah and my household. Have I conveyed? O Allah, be the witness.�2
To sum it up, Islam has set the grounds for gathering of Muslims under various situations so as to bring their hearts together in a bid to foil the aliens' conspiracies. Staying in Mina makes Muslims from all over the world get to know one another, to feel that they are brethren: وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللهِ جَمِيعاً وَلا تَفَرَّقُوا، وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَاناً وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَى شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ فَأَنْقَذَكُمْ مِنْهَا، كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ.
�And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited, and remember the favor of Allah on you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts so by His favor you became brethren; and you were on the brink
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1 The Holy Quran; 61:4
2 See Tuhaf al-Uqoul; p. 30
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of a pit of fire, then He saved you from it, thus does Allah make clear to you His communications that you may follow the right way. (The Holy Quran; 3:103)� وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ، لَو أَنْفَقْتَ مَا فِي الأَرْضِ جَمِيعاً مَا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِنَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
��And united their hearts; had you spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah united them; surely He is Mighty, Wise. (The Holy Quran; 8:63)�
Perhaps, the philosophy of staying overnight in Mina and engaging in Ramy al-Jamarat during the day is that the hands of the Islamic states should consult and exchange views and struggle against the agents of Satan.
SACRIFICE, EXISTED AMONG FORMER NATIONS
The Holy Quran shows that the Kaaba was the first place of worship in the world before the advent of Islam: إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي ببَكَّةَ مُبارَكاً وهدىً للعالمين.�Most surely the first house appointed for men is the one at Bekka, blessed and guidance for the nations. (The Holy Quran; 3:96)�
Nevertheless, the question of sacrifice does not solely belong to Islam; rather former nations too were duty-bound to discharge this divine order: وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنْسَكاً لِيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللهِ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الأَنْعَامِ
�And to every nation We appointed acts of devotion that they may mention the name of Allah on what He has given them of the cattle quadrupeds. (The Holy Quran; 22:34)�
The offering of sacrifice by sons of Adam, the first kind of itself is mentioned in the Holy Quran: وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ابْنَيْ آدَمَ بِالْحَقِّ إِذْ قَرَّبَا قُرْبَانَاً فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهَمَا وَلَمْ يُتَقَبَّلْ مِنَ الآخَرِ
�And relate to them the story of the two sons of Adam with truth when they both offered an offering, but it was accepted from one of them and was not accepted from the other. (5:27)�
To sum it up, in the same way that Islam emphasizes the value of the congregation in Mecca and the tight ranks of Muslim worshippers
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in prayer, �you will see them bowing down, prostrating themselves, seeking grace from Allah and pleasure, (The Holy Quran; 48:29),� it stresses sacrifice as symbol of courage, freedom, and fighting in defence of truth. Therefore, Eid ul-Adha (feast of sacrifice) in Mina represents both the spirit of devotion and submission of the Muslim nations to God and dazzles the eyes of the atheists before faith, unity, resolution, and self-sacrifice of Muslims.
Since God's commandments are poly-dimensional, in the study of the Islamic precepts certain aspects must be ignored while other aspects and advisability must be taken into consideration. For instance, the Holy Quran expressly makes ensuring the social life conditional upon execution of murderers and the carrying out of law of retribution, �And there is life for you in (the law of) retaliation, O men of understanding. (2:179),� or the Quranic ruling on an adulterer, �(As for) the fornicatress and the fornicator, flog each of them, (giving) a hundred stripes, and let not pity for them detain you in the matter of obedience to Allah, if you believe in Allah and the last day, and let a party of believers witness their chastisement. (24:2),� we see that pity for a fornicator has been prohibited, for it is tantamount to disbelief in Allah and the Day of Judgment. The reason a party of believers should witness the chastisement of the committers of fornication is to set an example for others and to ensure the chastity and purity of the society. The Holy Quran regards the dignity and soundness of the society above those of individuals.
Challenging the Quranic Verse, �And (as for) the man who steals and the woman who steals, cut off their hands, (5:38)� a biased person asked, �How is it that a hand the worth of which (blood money) is five hundred mitigals of gold has to be cut off for a stolen object worth quarter a dinar?� A witty scholar responded, �Honesty has made those hands worthy while theft and dishonesty have made the same hands worthless.�
We should comprehend the philosophy of God's commandment. In the above-mentioned ruling, too, the interests of individuals have been sacrificed for those of society so that people will live in sound society.
THE SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHY OF OFFERING
SACRIFICE
A believer who, due to staying in Arafat and al-Mash'ar, has come to the position of fully getting to know God and has undermined his carnal desires will not naturally hesitate to sacrifice whatever exists on his way in order to get close to his Beloved even if that being is his endeared son, life, and desires. Nevertheless, the Beloved, out ofSACRIFICE
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kindness and in consideration of His servant's weakness, is content with the sacrifice of an animal and accepts it as symbol of self-sacrifice in His way provided that the servant, by sacrificing this animal, sacrifices his bestial inclinations such as greed, jealousy, love of position and fame, mischief, pessimism, and other vices, saying with firmness: وَجَّهتُ وَجهِيَ لِلذِي فَطَرَ السّماواتِ والأرْضَ.
�Surely I have turned myself, being upright, wholly to Him Who originated the heavens and the earth. (The Holy Quran; 6:79)�
While doing this, he should remember the Quranic Verse: لَنْ يَنَالَ اللهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَكِنْ يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَى مِنْكُمْ
�There does not reach Allah their flesh nor their blood, but to Him is acceptable the guarding (against evil) on your part. (22:37)�
God truly seeks His servant's piety and this virtue cannot be obtained save by killing carnal desires and Satanic temptations. وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الهَوَى فَإِنَّ الجَنَّةَ هِيَ المَأْوَى
�And as for him who fears to stand in the presence of his Lord and forbids the soul from low desires, 41. Then surely the garden-- that is the abode. (The Holy Quran; 79:40-1)� وَأُزْلِفَتِ الْجَنَّةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
�And the garden shall be brought near for those who guard against evil. (The Holy Quran; 26:90)�
Imam Sajjad (a.s) posed the following questions to a man who had just returned from Mecca on the philosophy of Hajj: فعِندَما ذَبحتَ هَدْيَكَ نَوَيتَ أنكَ ذبحتَ حَنجَرَة َالطَّمعِ بما تمسّكْتَ بهِ مِن حقيقةِ الوَرَعِ وأنكَ اتّبعتَ سُنَّةَ إبراهيمَ عليهِ السّلامُ بِذَبْحِ وَلَدِهِ وثمرَةِ فُؤادِهِ وريحانِ قلبِهِ.
�When offering sacrifice, did you intend to sacrifice greed by restoring to piety? Did you pay attention to the fact that you were following Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) who took his endeared son to the sacrifice place for Allah's satisfaction?� 1
Describing the pious, Imam Ali (a.s) says:
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1 See al-Mustadrak; vol. 2 p. 184 section 17 hadith 5
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ميِّتةً شَهوتُهُ مَكظوماً غَيظُهُ، الخَيرُ منهُ مأمولٌ والشرُّ مِنه مأمونٌ.
�� His desires deed and his anger suppressed. Good alone is expected from him. Evil from him in not to be feared.�1
The same people, on the Day of Judgment when only the pure heart counts, will be honored by God. يَوْمَ لاَ يَنْفَعُ مَالٌ وَلاَ بَنُونَ, ِإلاّ مَنْ أَتَى اللهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ
�The day on which property will not avail, nor sons except him who comes to Allah with a heart free from evil. (The Holy Quran; 26:88-9)�
Actually, Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) was not asked to sacrifice his son, but to have a pure heart: وَإِنَّ مِنْ شِيعَتِهِ لإِبْرَاهِيمَ. إِذْ جَاءَ رَبَّهُ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ
�And most surely Ibrahim followed his way when he came to his Lord with a free heart. (The Holy Quran; 37:83-4)�
Since sacrificing an animal indicates spiritual state and free heart, it has become an act of worship among the Hajj rites: ذَلِكَ وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِنْ تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ
�That (shall be so); and whoever respects the signs of Allah, this surely is (the outcome) of the piety of hearts. (The Holy Quran; 22:32)�
ECONOMIC PROFITS IN SACRIFICE
Everyone familiar with the Islamic precepts knows well that charity and helping the poor are indisputable duties of Muslims who have to allocate part of their wealth to special classes of people under Khums (one-fifth levy) and zakat (religious tax on such items as wheat, barley, raisin, etc.) In addition to obligatory charity in Islam, there are other recommended rules for helping the poor aimed at creating love among people form different classes. Islam's social programs automatically bring the rich and the poor close to each other. Friday and congregational Prayers in Hajj and everyday life bring the rich and the poor together side by side and in a single rank. Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha are two occasions on which Muslims perform both congregational Prayer and pay alms. On Eid ul-Fitr, every Muslim is____________
1 See Nahjul Balagha; sermon 193 �About the Pious-
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duty-bound to pay 'fitriyah' as much as three kilos of food prevailing in the city to the needy. On Eid ul-Adha, too, it is obligatory on those in Mina and recommended for those in other countries to sacrifice an animal and give its meat to the poor. The Holy Quran says: قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ تَزَكَّى. وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّى?
�He indeed shall be successful who purifies himself, and magnifies the name of his Lord and prays. (The Holy Quran; 87:14-5)�
In this Verse, purification of wealth precedes prayer, though purification also implies cleansing oneself of the filth of worldly attachments. We should note that prayer consolidates man's relation with God and zakat creates love among individuals of society. Both are necessary for the happy life of society.
Offering sacrifice has a double aim�to get close to God and to receive His mercy, and secondly by distributing meat among the poor, one can win hearts of the needy and be worthy of their duaa.
HOW TO USE THE MEAT OF A SACRIFICED ANIMAL ACCORDING TO
THE HOLY QURAN AND TRADITIONS
وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُمْ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ، لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ، فَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَافَّ، فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ، كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونِ.THE HOLY QURAN AND TRADITIONS
�And (as for) the camels, We have made them of the signs of the religion of Allah for you; for you therein is much good; therefore mention the name of Allah on them as they stand in a row, then when they fall down eat of them and feed the poor man who is contented and the beggar; thus have We made them subservient to you, that you may be grateful. (The Holy Quran; 22:36)� فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ
�Then eat of them and feed the distressed one, the needy. (The Holy Quran; 22:28)�
Abu-Sabbah Kanani says: I asked the opinion of Imam Sadiq (a.s) about the meat of sacrifice animal, he (a.s) said: كانَ عَلِيُّ بنَ الحُسينِ وأبو جَعفَرٍ عليهِما السلامُ يَتَصَدَّقانِ بِثُلُثٍ عَلى جيرانِهِم وثُلُثٍ على السُّؤّالِ وثُلُثٍ يُمسِكونَهُ لأهلِ البيتِ.
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�Imam Sajjad and Imam Baqir (a.s) used to give a third of it to neighbors, another third to beggars, and the remaining third was for the family members.�
It is therefore incumbent upon the heads of the Islamic nations to create well-equipped organizations for distributing the meat of sacrificed animals among the needy on an international level, by getting permission from the religious authorities in order to realize both the Quranic ruling and to display to the world people an example of the sublime Islamic teachings.
Mohammad ibn Muslim says: I asked Imam Sadiq (a.s) whether it is permissible to take the meat of the sacrificed animals out of Mina. He (a.s) answered: كُنّا نقولُ لا يخرُجُ مِنها شيءٌ لِحاجَةِ الناسِ إليهِ، فأمّا اليومَ فَقَد كَثُرَ الناسُ فَلا بأسَ بِإخراجِهِ
�Formerly, people of Mecca were in need for them, but today because of too many pilgrims and sacrifices, their being taken out of Mina is no problem.�1
Under the present circumstances and due to lack of well-equipped organizations, part of the sacrificed animals is unfortunately buried. Nevertheless, this loss has to be tolerated, for the sublime goal of presenting the socio-political aspect of Hajj will be ensured. That is to say, the financial aspect of the event has to be sacrificed for its socio-political aspect.
HALQ AND TAQSIR IN MINA AND THE PHILOSOPHY
Following the completion of sacrifice, a pilgrim's duty is Halq and Taqsir. Halq means to shave one's head, and Taqsir is to shorten the nail or hair. Women must clip their nails and cut some locks of their hair while men have the choice to shave their heads or shorten. According to certain religious decrees, Halq is obligatory for men. The Quranic Verse on this religious duty is, �Then let them accomplish their needful acts of shaving and cleansing. (22:29)�Imam Reza says: التَّفَثُ تَقليمُ الأظافِرِ وطَرحُ الوسَخِ وطَرحُ الإحرامِ عنه
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1 See al-Kafi; vol. 4 p. 500 hadith 7
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�The Arabic word 'tafath �mentioned in the Holy Quran-' means to clip the nails, to remove dirt, and to come out of the state of Ihram.�1
Evidently, this is the surface meaning, but the in-depth meaning is purification of soul from filth of vices.
Imam Sadiq (a.s) says: واحلِقِ العُيوبَ الظّاهِرةَ والباطِنةَ بحَلقِ شَعرِكَ
�By shaving your head, remove all inward and outward flaws.�2
Imam Sajjad (a.s) posed the following questions to a man who had returned from Mecca: فَعِندَما حَلقْتَ رَأسَكَ، نَوَيتَ أنكَ تَطَهّرتَ مِن الأدناسِ ومِن تَبِعَةِ بني آدمَ وخَرَجتَ مِن الذّنوبِ كما وَلدتكَ أُمُّكَ
�Did you have the intention to cleanse yourself from all pollutions and violations of rights of people and do without wrongdoings as if you were born of your mother when shaving your head in Mina?�3
According to other hadiths, the word 'tafath' means to meet the Imam.
Thareeh asked Imam Sadiq (a.s) about the meaning of the above-mentioned Quranic Verse to which the Imam said: التّفَثُ لِقاءُ الإمامِ
�'tafath' means to meet the Imam.�4
By meeting Imam Mahdi (a.s), darkness of ignorance turns into light of knowledge, virtues replace vices, and an inner purification comes about. About such people the Holy Quran says: اَلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الْصَّاِلحَاتِ طُوبَى لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَآبٍ
�(As for) those who believe and do good, a good final state shall be theirs and a goodly return. (The Holy Quran; 13:29)�
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1 See al-Wafi; vol. 2 Kitab al-Hajj
2 See Misbah ush-Shari'a; chapter 21.
3 See Mustadrak ul-Wasaail; vol. 2
4 See al-Wafi; vol. 2 Ziyarat
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مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحاً مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَو أُنْثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طّيَِبَةً
�Whoever does good whether male or female and he is a believer, We will most certainly make him live a happy life. (The Holy Quran; 16:97)�
Hence, the Imam (a.s) drew people's attention to their duties by saying: اِبدَؤوا بمَكَّةَ واخْتِموا بِنا
�Begin your Hajj from Mecca and complete it with our visitation.�1
By visitation, it is meant to renew one's pledge with the Imam and to follow him. Failing to feel the presence of the Imam, they will look like a flock without shepherd, dispersed and exposed to wolves' attack. Hence, the only benefit to Halq and Taqsir in Mina is a physical purification and nothing more. Even their Eid will lost its true meaning and the sorrows of men of understanding will increase. In this relation, Abdullah ibn Dinar quotes Imam Baqir (a.s) as saying: ما مِنْ عيدٍ للمُسلمِينَ أضحى ولا فِطْرٍ إلاّ وهُو يَتَجدّدُ فيهِ لآلِ محَمَّدٍ صلّى الله عليهِ وآلهِ حُزنٌ... لأِنّهم يَرَونَ حَقَّهم في يدِ غيرِهِم.
�There is no single Eid ul-Fitr or Eid ul-Adha in which Muslims do not renew their sorrows for the household of the Holy Prophet �the Ahl ul-Bayt (a.s)� because they see their rights in the hands of others.�2
On the Eid days when Muslims congregate, the Imam (a.s) as an 'axis' round whom all should turn must be present. The worshippers must perform prayer under his leadership, sermons have to be delivered, and the boundaries of the religion have to be defended by him. Nevertheless, regrettably, they miss the Imam in all these positions. To whatever direction they go, they do not see any sign of their guardian. When they go for Ramy al-Jamarat, they do not have a commander; when they go to the place of sacrifice, they have no leader; when they perform Halq and Taqsir, there is no sign of the true Reformer and Purifier. The Imam, too, is sad about the disorderly situation of his followers. The Shiite Muslims who miss their master start lamenting. It is for this reason that one of the recommended
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1 See al-Wafi; vol. 2 Ziyarat
2 See Ilal ush-Shara'ie; vol. 2
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duties or Shiite Muslims on Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Eid ul-Ghadir, and Fridays is to read Duaa an-Nudba. 'Nudba' means lamenting in separation from an endeared one, relating a beloved's description, and shedding tears for his absence. Hence, as long as the Shiites are separate from their Imam, they keep on lamenting especially on the said occasions when their sorrows are renewed. A part of Duaa un-Nudba says: فَعَلى الأطائِبِ مِن أهلِ بيتِ محمَّدٍوعَلِيٍّ (صَلى اللهُ عَليهِما وآلهِما) فَليَبْكِ الباكونَ، وإيّاهُم فَلينْدِبِ النّادِبونَ، ولِمِثلِهِم فَلتُذرَفِ الدّموعُ ولْيصْرَخِ الصّارِخونَ ويضِجَّ الضّاجُّونَ ويعِجَّ العاجّونَ. أينَ الحسنُ أينَ الحُسينِ، أين أبناءُ الحُسينِ صالحٌ بعدَ صالحٍ وصادِقٌ بعدَ صادِقٍ. أينَ السبيلُ بعدَ السبيل،ِ أين الخِيَرَةُ بعدَ الخِيَرَةِ، أين الشّموسُ الطّالِعَةُ، أين الأقمارُ المُنيرةُ، أين الأنجُمُ الزّاهِرةُ، أين أعلامُ الدّينِ وقَواعِدُ العلمِ، أين بقِيّة ُاللهِ التي لا تخَلو مِن العترة الهادية.
For the purified ones of the progeny of Mohammad and Ali (may peace be upon both of them and their progeny); the bewailers should cry and the wailers should wail. And for their likes tears should be shed and clamorers should clamor and mourners should mourn in a heart-rending manner: where is Hasan? Where is Hussein? Where are the children of Hussein� the whole righteous and whole truthful? Where is the path after the path of righteousness? Where are the virtuous people after virtuous people? Where are the rising suns? Where are the luminous moons? Where are the emblems of faith and basis of knowledge? Where is Baqiyyatullah that the world cannot be devoid from the presence of guided progeny?�
The Eid of Shiite Muslims will come a day when they see on their heads the shade of the Imam (a.s) who will hoist the banner of monotheism, will put the world on the path of God under the light of his guidance, and will fill the world with security. اَللّهُمَ أرِني الطّلعَةَ الرّشيدَةَ والغِرَّةَ الحَميدَةَ وأَكْحِل ناظِري بِنظرَةٍ مِني إلَيهِ وعَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُ وَسَهِّلْ مَخْرَجَهُ وَأَوْسِعْ مَنْهَجَهُ وَاسْلُكْ بي مَحَجَّتَهُ وأَنفِذْ أَمْرَهُ وَاشْدُدْ أَزْرَهُ
�O Allah, show me that illustrious countenance, and that illuminated forehead, enlighten my eyes with his visit, hasten his reappearance, facilitate his exit, widen his path,
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take me on his path, make his influence pervasive, and support him.�1
SUMMARY
Both Halq and Taqsir in Mina have hygienic as well as spiritual benefits, a symbol of moral purification from arrogance, jealousy, avarice, and egotism. They have social implications; that is, the meeting of the ummah with their Imam and leader. Unity is the outcome of such meeting, which in its turn leads to the removal of vices and corruption from the society.STAYING OVERNIGHT IN MINA
Staying overnight in Mina is obligatory upon pilgrims. Staying in Mina on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhu'l-Hijja is also obligatory upon those pilgrims who, in the state of Ihram, have not abstained from hunting or having intercourse with women and for those who have delayed their departure from Mina in the afternoon of the 12th of Dhu'l-Hijja until night. During Tashriq period�the three days following Eid ul-Adha, Ramy ul-Jamarat is obligatory. This topic has been mentioned in the Holy Quran: وَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللهَ في أَيَّامٍ مَعْدُودَاتٍ فَمَنْ تَعَجَّلَ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ فَلا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ وَمَنْ َتأَخَّرَ فَلا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ لِمَنِ اتَّقَى�And laud Allah during the numbered days; then whoever hastens off in two days, there is no blame on him and whoever remains behind, there is no blame on him, this is for him who guards against evil. (2:203)�
Imam Sadiq (a.s) is quoted as saying that the 'numbered days' are the same as Tashriq period. During these days, pilgrims who have performed the major parts of the Hajj acts have more free time for becoming familiar with Muslims from other countries.
UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE UMMAH IN MINA
One of the important duties of pilgrims in Mina is to create understanding with brethren in faith from other Islamic sects and to remove any misunderstanding, which has been created among Muslims as a result of negative propaganda by the aliens. يُخْرِبُونَ بُيُوتَهُمْ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ فَاعْتَبِرُوا يَا أُولِي الأَبْصَارِ____________
1 This statement is a part of Duaa al-Ahd
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�They demolished their houses with their own hands. (The Holy Quran; 58:2)�
The enemy is looking for every chance to create division among Muslims and by using the policy of 'divide to rule' strengthens its own power. The enemy knows that a nation that says 'there is no god but Allah and Mohammad is His Messenger', that is neither attracted by the ornaments of the world nor fears death (martyrdom), that, according to the Holy Quran, is �ranks as if they were a firm and compact wall,�1 will foil the enemy's plot with its individuals' unity and solidarity.
Unfortunately, one billion Muslims believing in One God, one prophet, one Book, and Kiblah and standing side by side in congregational prayer and Hajj ranks are poled apart. This is the same danger the Holy Prophet (saw) expressed in his Farewell Hajj: فلا تَرجِعُنَّ بعدي كُفّاراً يضرِبُ بَعضُكُم رِقابَ بعضٍ، فإنّي قد تَركتُ فيكُم ما إنْ أخَذتم بهِ لن تَضِلوا: كتابَ اللهِ وعِترتي أهلَ بَيتي. ألا هَل بلّغتُ؟ اللّهُمَّ فَاشْهَدْ.
�O Muslims, do not convert to atheism after me by killing each other, for I have left with you two things�if you resort to them you will never go astray; the Book of Allah and my household. Have I conveyed? O Allah, be the witness.�2
To sum it up, Islam has set the grounds for gathering of Muslims under various situations so as to bring their hearts together in a bid to foil the aliens' conspiracies. Staying in Mina makes Muslims from all over the world get to know one another, to feel that they are brethren: وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللهِ جَمِيعاً وَلا تَفَرَّقُوا، وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَاناً وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَى شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ فَأَنْقَذَكُمْ مِنْهَا، كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ.
�And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited, and remember the favor of Allah on you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts so by His favor you became brethren; and you were on the brink
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1 The Holy Quran; 61:4
2 See Tuhaf al-Uqoul; p. 30
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of a pit of fire, then He saved you from it, thus does Allah make clear to you His communications that you may follow the right way. (The Holy Quran; 3:103)� وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ، لَو أَنْفَقْتَ مَا فِي الأَرْضِ جَمِيعاً مَا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِنَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
��And united their hearts; had you spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah united them; surely He is Mighty, Wise. (The Holy Quran; 8:63)�
Perhaps, the philosophy of staying overnight in Mina and engaging in Ramy al-Jamarat during the day is that the hands of the Islamic states should consult and exchange views and struggle against the agents of Satan.