SECRETS OF THE HAJJ

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SECRETS OF THE HAJJ
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SECRETS OF THE HAJJ
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SECRETS
OF THE HAJJ
WRITTEN BY
Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Haii ash-Shaikh Husain Mazaheri
TRANSLATED BY
Saleem Bhimii
SECRETS OF THE HAJJ
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SECRETS OF THE HAJJ
&& UWf?gj?''
JRITTEN BY Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Haii ash-Shaykh Husain Mazaheri
TRANSLATED BY Saleem Bhimii
EDITED BY Arifa Hudda
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION DATA
Mazaheri, Husain, 1934-
Secrets of the Haii
Translation of : Israr-e-Haii.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 1-894701-14-3
1. Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimages Saudi arabia Mecca.
I. Islamic Humanitarian Service. II. Title
BP187.3.M39 2002 297.3`52 C2002-900161-7
DISTRIBUTED BY
ISLAMIC HUMANITARIAN SERJICE
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Kitchener. Ontario. Canada. N2K-2Y8
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Copyright 2002 Al-Fath Al-Mubin Publications
Eirst Edition 1422 / 2002 | All Rights Reserved
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Those wishing to re-publish this work as a waqf proiect
or for any other purpose are humbly requested to contact
the publishers.
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Table of Contents
[
7
Biography of the Author
9
Introduction

The First Stage of the Haii

21
The Second Stage of the Haii
51
The Third Stage of the Haii
59
Talbiyyah upon Wearing the Ihram
61
Sketch of the Kabah and Sections Related to the Haiii
67
Sketch of Jannatul Baqi and the Graves of the Members of the Family
of the Prophet as well as Renowned and Revered Companions
69
Sketch of Makkah, Masiid al-Haram and some of the Surrounding Area
SECRETS OF THE HAJJ
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The author of this work. Secrets ot the Laii. is the grand Ayatullah al-
lzna al-Haii al-Shaikh Husain Mazaheri. Born into a religious fanily in
1934 in the city of Isfahan. Iran. Ayatullah Mazaheri was a nere 15 years
old when he began his Islanic studies in the Hawza Ilniyyah of Isfahan.
He conpleted his Arabic studies under the guidance of the late Haii Agha
Janal Khansari and Haii Agha Ahnad Muqaddas. His higher studies were
conducted under the guidance of Ayatullah Khadini. and Ayatullah
Fayyad.
Four years later. he noved to Qun to continue his studies under the
supervision of the late scholar Ayatullah Haii Shaikh Abd al-Jawad Jabal
al-Anuli. the late Maria Ayatullah al-lzna al-Sayyid Shahab al-Din
Marashi Naiafi. and the late Ayatullah Shaikh Murtada Haeri.
For nore than eight years. he studied Dars-e-Kharii under Ayatullah al-
lzna al-Haii al-Sayyid Husain Buruierdi. and then ten years under
Ayatullah al-lzna al-Hai al-Sayyid Ruhullah Musawi Khunayni. and
twelve years under Ayatullah al-lzna al-Haii al-Sayyid Muhannad
Muhaqqiq Danad. He also studied the book Jl-Jstr written by Mullah
Sadra and ash-Shit of Abu Ali Sina under the late Allanah al-Sayyid
Muhannad Husain Taba`taba`i - author of Jl-Mizn F Tatsr al-Qur'n.
Since 1980. he has been teaching the higher classes of Fiqh and lsul. and
he recently noved back to Isfahan to take over the responsibility of
naintaining the Hawza Ilniyyah there.
This great teacher of Islanic Fthics has lectured extensively in Iran on
ethics and spirituality. In addition to speaking and offering advice to the
Muslins. nany of his speeches have been conpiled into books such as.
Jihad B Nats (Struggle with the Soul - tour volures). Upbringing ot
Children. Correntarv on Du al-Luravl. Control ot One's Sexual Urges.
Mad (Resurrection) in the Qur'n. and countless others.
SECRETS OF THE HAJJ
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hat follows in this short book is a glance at the secrets of the
Haii. as expounded by the great scholar and teacher of Akhlaq
(Islanic Ftiquette) and Irfan (Mysticisn) - Ayatullah al-lzna
al-Haii al-Shaikh Husayn Mazaheri. presently living in Isfahan. Iran.
Haii is one of the obligatory acts in Islan. which nust be perforned by
each and every Muslin who is able to at least once in his or her lifetine if
certain conditions are fulfilled. The books of ahadith are replete with
wisdon fron the Prophet of Islan and his twelve Successors (peace be
upon all of then) concerning Haii and the philosophical and nystical
aspects behind the various acts perforned. In the writing attributed to the
sixth Inan. Jafar ibn Muhannad al-Sadiq (peace be upon hin) contained
in Iantern ot the Path

. this noble personality explains Haii in the

following words:
'It vou intend to go on pilgrirage. betore resolving on it devote
vour heart to Jllh L. stripping it ot everv preoccupation and
everv barrier between vou and Jllh L. Lntrust all vour attairs to
vour Creator and relv on Lir in all vour actions and rorents ot
stillness. Surrender to Lis decree. decision and iudgerent.
Jbandon this world. repose. and all creation. Pertorr those
duties which vou are bound to tultil tor other people.
Do not relv on vour provisions. the aniral vou will ride. vour
corpanions. vour tood. vour vouth nor vour wealth. tor tear that
thev will becore vour eneries and be harrtul to vou. in this wav
vou will realize that there is no power. no strength. no right
1
This book has been translated into English by Fadlullah Haeri, and was
originally published by Zahra Publications. The original title of the book
in Arabic is Misbh al-Sharivah wa Mifth al-Haqiqah.
SECRETS OF THE HAJJ
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except bv the guardianship ot Jllh L and Lis granting ot
success.
Prepare tor the pilgrirage as soreone who does not hope to
return. Leep good corpanv. and be diligent in observing all
vour obligations to Jllh L and the Lolv Prophet. Take care to
show courtesv. endurance. patience. thanktulness. corpassion.
and generositv - alwavs putting others betore vourselt - even those
who reiect vou. Then pertorr an ablution with the water ot
sincere repentance tor wrong actions. and put on the robe ot
truthtulness. puritv. hurilitv and tear. Bv donning the garrents ot
pilgrirage. withhold vourselt tror evervthing which hinders vou
tror rererbering Jllh L. or that rav irpede vou tror showing
obedience to Lir.
Fultill Lis call with an answer whose reaning is clear. pure
and sincere when vou call on Lir. holding on tirrlv to vour
beliet in Lir. Circurarbulate with vour heart along with the
angels who circurarbulate the Throne. iust as vou
circurarbulate with the Muslirs who go around the Labah.
Lasten as vou run in tlight tror vour passion. treeing vourselt ot
all vour personal assurptions ot strength and power. Ieave vour
heedlessness and errors behind when vou go out to Mina. do not
desire what is unlawtul tor vou and what vou do not deserve.
Contess vour errors at Jratt - set out vour contract with Jllh L
bv Lis Oneness. draw near to Lir and tear Lir at Muzdalitah.
Clirb with vour soul to the highest asserblv when vou clirb the
rountain ot Jratt. Slit the throat ot passion and
greed in the sacritice. Stone vour appetites. baseness. vileness.
and blareworthv actions when vou stone the Pillar ot Jqabah.
Shave ott vour outward and inward taults when vou shave vour
hair. Lnter into the securitv ot Jllh L. Lis protection. Lis veil.
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Lis shelter and Lis watchtulness and abandon the pursuit ot
vour desires bv entering the Sacred Precinct. Jisit the Louse.
and walk around it to gloritv the Master. Lis wisdor. Lis raiestv
and Lis power.
Lrbrace the Stone. being content with Lis
decree and hurble betore Lis right. Ieave evervthing that is
other-than-Lir in the valedictorv circurarbulating. Puritv
vour soul and vour innerrost being tor the reeting with
Jllh L. on the dav when vou will reet Lir when standing on al-
Sat'. Take on valour and courtesv tror Jllh L bv annihilating
vour attributes at al-Marwah. Be consistent in the conditions ot
vour pilgrirage and tultil the contract vou have rade with vour
Iord. bv which vou will have obliged vourselt to Lir on the Dav
ot Judgerent.
Lnow that Jllh L rade the pilgrirage obligatorv. and singled it
out tror all the acts ot worship in respect ot Lirselt when Le
said.
`' =` .` ''-- ' '
'Pilgrirage to the Louse is incurbent upon ren
tor the sake ot Jllh. and [upon[ evervone who is
able to undertake the iournev to it...' (3.97)
The Lolv Prophet 11established the organization ot the rituals ot
pilgrirage. as preparation tor and an indication ot death. the
grave. the resurrection and the Dav ot Judgerent. In this lesson
tor rankind he discririnates between those who will enter the
Carden and those who will enter the Fire. through his
SECRETS OF THE HAJJ
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deronstrating the pilgrirage rites tror beginning to end. to those
with intelligence and prudence.
It is hoped that this short booklet which elucidates on sone of the subtle
points of the Haii will be of benefit to the brothers and sisters who are
naking this once in a lifetine iourney to the holy cities of Makkah and
Madinah. We pray that this snall work is accepted by Allah L. our
Prophet Muhannad 11. his close friend. brother. and innediate successor
Anir al-Mo`ninin Ali ibn Abi Talib. and the 11 Inans fron his fanily
...
May this trip not only be a physical iourney. but rather a iourney of the
inner soul towards self-purification and finally to the final abode nearness
to Allah (SWT) in every way.
May Allah hasten the return of our Mawla and Master. Sahib al-Asr wa al-
Zanan (nay our souls be sacrificed for the dirt under his feet).
Saleem Bhimii
Translator
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9W)
The entire iourney of Haii is a spirituality excursion that covers three
stages:
7KH )LUVW6WDJH Cutting off affinity from all things with the exception
of Allah L in order to reach to Allah L(,-,-).
7KH 6HFRQG6WDJH Continuing towards Allah Land strengthening the
alliance (with Him), until one reaches to Allah Land (the true) essence
of worship (`,- `,-).
7KH 7KLUG 6WDJH Once a person has reached to the level of perfection
and has arrived at the stage of (true) worship, he then returns (to the
people) to guide the creations of Allah Ltowards Him: (`,-
,-).
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[
The First Stage of the Haii
In the ILUVW VWDJH , above all other things, that which is the most
important is repentance (tawbah) and to be vigilant. The meaning of
repentance is to shun all devils and all forms of despotism, and turn
back towards Allah L. It means to disregard one`s wishes, low desires
and the lower soul (al-Nafs al-Ammrah) and proceed towards
spirituality and the (higher) qualities (of a human being).
Completing all that was performed in the past such that there is no
responsibility or obligation between Allah Land His creations on the
person`s shoulders, the person leaves his city in such a state that not a
single person is upset with him - except of course the Devil (Shaitn).
The meaning of being vigilant is that one focuses his attention on the
grandeur and maiesty of the House of Allah L.
He focuses on the fact that it is the Creator and Maintainer of the
Universe that has given him this opportunity (to perform the Haii). He
focuses on the fact that on this iourney, he must not allow anyone or
anything to aggravate him. He focuses on the fact that if he performs a
Haii that is accepted, then without doubt, he has reached to that level
which mankind was created to reach to (the level of meeting Allah L
and the level of true worship). He focuses on the importance of
performing all those things, which are obligatory to perform, such as
the Salat, etc.
SECRETS OF THE HAJJ
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A woman performing the Haii safeguards her modesty and her Islamic
attire (hiib). She focuses on the importance of refraining from all sins,
and she knows and understands that Allah Ldoes not accept the deeds
of those who commit sins. The acceptance of all actions is connected
to one`s piety (taqw). Thus, Allah Ldoes not accept the Haii from
those people who commit sins:
^ ` ' `
'Jerilv Allh onlv accepts from those who guard (against evil).'

The person must keep in mind the importance of performing the

recommended (mustahab) acts, most importantly of which is serving
the creations of Allah L, which is one of the ways that the obligatory
(wiib) acts are accepted.
The person must keep in mind that especially during this iourney,
wherever he may be and in whatever state he is, he is constantly in the
presence of Allah L, the Noble Prophet 00, and the Pure A`immah ..
(such as we are told in the Qur`an):
^ .,`,`' `',` . .,, , `
'Sav. Work' Allh will see vour work and (so will) His Messenger and
the believers.'

The person must keep in mind that using any forbidden (harm) wealth
or property on this trip rather in any act of worship, will not lead to

Surah al-Maidah (5), Verse 27

3
Surah al-Tawbah (9), Verse 105
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anything except the accumulation of sins, transgression and misfortune
in this world and in the next life.
After repentance and being vigilant, the person must also reach to a
stage of emptiness and annihilation, such that if he can not reach to the
level where he is able to remove all the detestable characteristics such
as iealousv. miserliness. pride. greatness. worship of the world. etc.
then he should at least try to acquire the praiseworthy characteristics
such as mercv. generositv. humilitv. asceticism. and freeing the soul
from all that it is attached to within himself.
A person should try to at least control those detestable attributes that he
possesses and not allow them to take power over him.
Similarly, one must try to allow iustice, equity and the fear of Allah L
to rule over himself such that unknowingly and on its own, the soul
gains control in a way that all the obligatory (wiib) actions are
performed and all sins are refrained from. This should be
accomplished at least to the extent that these (positive traits) take
control over one`s al-Nafs al-Ammrah and over one`s own wishes and
desires, and do not drag the person towards sin.
Once this has been accomplished, then one, through the pleasures of the
religion (Salat, fasting, recitation of Qur`an, supplication, humility and
humbleness while in the presence of Allah L, pleasing the creations of
Allah L, etc.) and through seeking help by way of Tawassul to the
Ahl al-Bait ..(it is better to go to Madinah after performing the Haii, if
one is able to), especially seeking help from Imm Wali al-Asr (may
Allah hasten his noble return and may my soul and the souls of all of
those of the universe be sacrificed for the dirt under his feet) and by the
continuous recitation of Zivrat Jmiah al-Kabirah which is one of the
SECRETS OF THE HAJJ
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best forms of Tawassul to the 12
th
Imam, one will reach to the level of
glory and praise meaning that our soul will become illuminated by
the light (Nr) of Allah L.
^ ' ,` `' - `
'And we placed for him. a light (Nr) bv which he walks amongst the
people.'

In this blessed iourney, while in the security of the Truth, one should be
able to reach to a level of true servitude, where one can distinguish
between good and bad, friend and enemy, and what Allah L wants,
from what one`s own evil soul wants.
^ , . ' - , . `
'If vou are careful of (vour dutv to) Allah. then He will grant vou a
distinction.`

What is more important than which has been mentioned is at this stage,
one must attain sincerity (khuls). This means that in one`s heart and
thoughts during this iourney, nothing should remain except Allah L,
and the performance of the Haii exactly as the way Prophet Ibrahim D
performed it.
' ,- . . ' , .' ,- `.,- `
^ ,`'
4
Surah al-An`am (6), Verse 122

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Surah al-Anfal (7), Verse 29
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'Surelv I have turned mvself. being upright. whollv to Him Who
originated the heavens and the earth. and I am not of the polvtheists.'

The person should not perform Haii simply for people to congratulate
him; or, may Allah L protect us, to make other people work hard and
go through troubles, meaning his Haii is not simply to use other people.
In fact, his Haii should not even be for Allah Lto bestow upon him,
both in this world and in the next, blessings and bounties. Rather, all of
his attention and focus on this iourney must be for Allah L, the goal of
reaching to Him and to the true worship, such that no one else or
anything will be in his sight except the pleasure of Allah L.
^ . ` - . . .,-` -. `
'And no one has with him anv blessing for which he should be
rewarded. except the seeking of the pleasure of his Lord. the Most
High.'

In summary, at this stage, one`s intention must be sincere and there

must not be anything of the worldly pleasure, in fact not even the
pleasures of the next life should be in his sight. Just as the Qur`an
mentions, the best colour is the colour of Allah L:
^ . `- . `
'(Receive) the colour of Allah. and who is better than Allah in
colouring?'

Surah al-An`am (6), Verse 79

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Surah al-Lail (92), Verses 19-20
8
Surah al-Baqarah (2), Verses 138
SECRETS OF THE HAJJ
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The worst of colours is the colour of conceit, and it is clear that if Allah
L forbid, through one`s actions, speech, or if in one`s heart or soul this
trait is already there, then he has reached to the stage of disbelief (kufr).
.,,` .` ' .,` . ,. .` ' .` ' , `
^ .,`' .,`
'So woe to the praving ones. those who are unmindful of their pravers.
Who do (good) to be seen. And withhold the necessities of life.'

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Surah al-Ma`un (107), Verses 4-7