CSS Special 2023 Solved Islamiyat Past Papers | Hajj and its Significance in Quran and Sunnah
The following question of Islamiat is solved by Miss Ayesha Irfan, the highest scorer in CSS Islamiat. Moreover, the question is attempted on the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
The examiner has asked to describe the obligation of Hajj in light of the Quran and Sunnah and their spiritual and social significance. Basically, this question is divided into two sub-questions, carrying ten marks each. First, you have to describe Hajj’s obligation in light of the Quran and Sunnah. Afterwards, you have to write two arguments for the spiritual significance of Hajj and two for its social significance, all with strong evidence for better explaining them. Finally, end your answer with a critical analysis and a conclusion.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Meaning of the term ‘Hajj’ and its conditions
3-Elucidating the obligation of Hajj in the light of the Quran
- Evidence: “Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all who can afford a way to it.” (Surah Al-Imran, verse 97)
- Evidence: “Call people to the pilgrimage. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel from every distant path, so they may obtain the benefits (in-store) for them.” (Surah Al-Haj, verses 27-28)
4-Delineating the obligation of Hajj in light of the Sunnah
- Evidence: “O people! Allah has prescribed Hajj upon you, so perform it.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Evidence: “Nothing but Heaven is the reward of an approved pilgrimage.” (Sahih Muslim)
5-A glance at the rituals of Hajj in Islam
- ✓Rites of 8th Dhul Hajj
- Making intent and entering Ihram
- Performing Tawaf
- Doing Saey
- Reaching Mina
- ✓Rites of 9th Dhul Hajj
- Spending a day on Arafat
- Heading towards Muzdalifa
- ✓Rites of 10th Dhul Hajj
- Sacrificing animal (Nahr) and stoning the Devil (Rami)
- Shaving (Halq) or trimming hair (Taqsir)
- Performing Tawaf al-Ifadha
- ✓Rites of 11th and 12th Dhul Hajj
- Stoning the Devil (Rami) for the next two days
- Performing the farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wida)
6-Spiritual and social significance of Hajj in Islam
6.1- The spiritual significance of Hajj
- ✓ Deepening God-consciousness and reminding the ultimate purpose of life
- Evidence: “Indeed, (the hills of) Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 158)
- ✓ Cleaning sins and fostering a sense of redemption
- Evidence: “Whoever performs the pilgrimage to this House and does not behave in an immoral manner, he will go back free of sin like the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Sahih Bukhari)
6.2- The social significance of Hajj
- ✓ Fostering unity and brotherhood in the Muslim Ummah
- For instance, millions ofpilgrims from different backgrounds gather to perform Hajj while wearing the same simple attire (Ihram) and performing the same rituals altogether.
- ✓ Promoting cultural exchange and tolerance
- Evidence: “Whoever commits to (performing) pilgrimage, let them stay away from intimate relations, foul language, and arguments during the pilgrimage.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 197)
7-Critical analysis
8-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah, is the fifth pillar of Islam after Shahada, Salat, Zakat, and Sawm. It is the ultimate expression of submission, devotion, and surrender to Allah the Exalted. Basically, Hajj trains Muslims to sacrifice their wealth, time, comfort, and physical and mental energies in the way of Allah. Thus, Allah Almighty has ordained Muslims in various verses of the Holy Quran to perform Hajj and made it obligatory n the ninth year of Hijrah. In Surah Al-Hajj, verse 26, Allah states,
“… purify My House for those who perform Tawaf, who stand (in prayer), and who bow and prostrate.”
Moreover, the Prophet (PBUH) has also been quoted in Tirmidhi, describing Hajj as an obligation
“He who dies without performing Hajj while not being prevented from it by any valid reason, such as an illness or oppression from an unjust ruler, then let him die as a Jew or a Christian.”
The aforementioned Quranic verse and hadith clearly explain Hajj as an obligatory act. As far as its spiritual significance is concerned, it deepens God-consciousness and offers an opportunity for pilgrims to clean their sins and develop a sense of redemption, hence enabling them to live a righteous life. Not only this, Hajj also encompasses various social significance, mainly fostering unity in the Muslim Ummah and promoting tolerance among pilgrims. In short, Hajj is undeniably one of the prime obligatory acts of worship in Islam.
Meaning of Hajj
While understanding the meaning of Hajj, it is actually the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lifetime. Basically, the word Hajj is an Arabic word that means ‘to intend a journey.’ In Islamic jurisprudence, it means ‘to set out for the Holy Kaabah,’ which is referred to as pilgrimage. Moreover, Hajj takes place during the Dhu-al-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar. More specifically, the rites of Hajj are performed from the 8th to the 12th of Dhu-al-Hijjah. As far as conditions of Hajj are considered, it must be performed by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, and they can support their family during their absence. Hence, Hajj is a sacred journey towards the House of Allah Almighty for performing obligatory acts on specific dates.
Elucidating the obligation of Hajj in the light of the Quran
Furthermore, Allah Almighty has made the performance of Hajj an obligation for Muslims in many places in the Holy Quran. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 97, Allah Almighty states,
“Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all who can afford a way to it.”
This verse explains that Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for all eligible Muslims. Moreover, in Surah Al-Haj, verses 27-28, Allah Almighty says,
“Call people to the pilgrimage. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel from every distant path, so they may obtain the benefits (in-store) for them.”
This verse depicts that there is a big reward for performing Hajj. Thus, in many verses of the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has described Hajj as an obligation for Muslims.
Delineating the obligation of Hajj in the light of the Sunnah
Additionally, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has also described Hajj as an obligation by Allah Almighty for his Ummah. In Sahih Muslim, it has been quoted that the Prophet (PBUH) said,
“O people! Allah has prescribed Hajj upon you, so perform it.”
This hadith shows the importance of Hajj, which Allah Almighty has ordained Muslims to perform. Moreover, in the same book, the Prophet (PBUH) said,
“Nothing but Heaven is the reward of an approved pilgrimage.”
In this hadith, approved pilgrimage is actually known as Al-Hajja al-Mabrur, during which a Muslim neither commits any sin nor anything that is forbidden in the state of Ihram, thus, being approved by Allah Almighty. Hence, the Prophet (PBUH) has undoubtedly described Hajj as an obligation for Muslims in his numerous hadiths.
A glance at the rituals of Hajj in Islam
Now, it is imperative to have a glance over the obligatory acts of Hajj in Islam.
- Making intent and entering Ihram
On the first day of Hajj, 8th Dhu-al-Hijjah, pilgrims are required to make a pure intention of Hajj and enter Ihram, a pilgrim’s sacred state, when crossing Miqat, the outer boundaries of Makkah. Basically, entering Ihram means wearing plain garments–two unstitched pieces of cloth for men and loose-fitting clothing for women–and following rules, such as abstaining from anger and sexual activity.
- Performing Tawaf
Afterwards, pilgrims have to perform Tawaf–circling the Holy Kaaba in an anticlockwise direction seven times–while reciting Talbiyah.
- Doing Saey
After that, pilgrims are required to do Saey–running between the Safa and Marwah hills seven times.
- Reaching Mina
Subsequently, the pilgrims are required to travel for 8 km (or 5 miles) towards Mina, the city of tents just outside of Makkah. On reaching, pilgrims offer Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers. They spend the whole night at Mina in supplications and remembering Allah Almighty.
- Spending a day on Arafat
On the second day of Hajj, the 9th Dhul Hajj, pilgrims are required to depart from Mina after offering the Fajr prayer. They make the 15 km (or 9 miles) journey from Mina to Mount Arafat, the Mount of Mercy, and stand there before Allah from noon to sunset; this act is known as Wuquf. While standing, they offer supplications and listen to the sermon given by Islamic scholars from Masjid al-Nimra. Actually, Wuquf at Arafat is one of the most significant rites of Hajj because Mount Arafat is revered as the place where the Prophet (PBUH) delivered his (PBUH) last sermon. Therefore, the 9th Dhul Hajj, actually known as the Day of Arafat, is considered one of the most important days of the Islamic calendar.
- Heading towards Muzdalifa
After sunset, pilgrims are ordained to travel 11 km (or 7 miles) to reach Muzdalifa. After reaching, pilgrims spend the night under the stars. Moreover, most of the pilgrims start collecting 49 pebbles from Muzdalifa for the rites of the upcoming days, for which they depart from here just after offering the Fajr prayer.
- Sacrificing animal (Nahr) and stoning the Devil (Rami)
On the third day of Hajj, the 10th Dhul Hajj, the whole Muslim Ummah celebrates Eid al-Adha. And pilgrims leave Muzdalifa and arrive back in Mina before dawn to perform the first Rami–throwing seven pebbles at the largest of three columns known as Jamarat Al-Aqaba. Subsequently, pilgrims are required to sacrifice an animal, either a camel or a lamb, and this act is known as Nahr, and the 10th Dhul Hajj is known as Yowm-ul-Nahr.
- Shaving (Halq) or trimming hair (Taqsir)
After the sacrifice, pilgrims must proceed to shave or trim their hair. Male pilgrims should shave their hair (halq) as it is Sunnah, and female pilgrims should trim their hair (Taqsir) by the length of a fingertip. Afterwards, pilgrims are allowed to leave the state of Ihram. They are also allowed to do everything that was unlawful during the state of Ihram, except engaging in sexual intimacy. At this point, it is Sunnah who applies perfume.
- Performing Tawaf al-Ifadha
After shaving or trimming the head, pilgrims go to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadha and Saey, as these are the obligatory parts of Hajj rituals. Basically, these two acts can be performed between the 10th and 12th Dhul Hajj. On completing the Tawaf and Saey, pilgrims then relax and are allowed to do all the activities that were lawful before Ihram, including engaging in martial relations. Afterwards, pilgrims are required to return to their tents in Mina and perform the remaining rites of Hajj.
- Stoning the Devil (Rami) for the next two days
The fourth and fifth days of Hajj, the 11th and 12th of Dhul Hajj, are known as Ayyam al-Tashreeq, the days of drying meat. During the Prophet’s (PBUH) time, pilgrims preserved the sacrificial meat from rotting by seasoning and drying it under the sun. In Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (PBUH) has been quoted as saying, “The days of Tashreeq are the days of eating and drinking.” Moreover, pilgrims are required to stay in Mina and repeat two more Rami rites on these days. Pilgrims pelt the three pillars while reciting Takbeer and using seven pebbles each in sequence by starting with Jamarat al-Ula (the smallest/first pillar), then Jamarat al-Wusta (the middle/second pillar), and finally, Jamarat al-Aqaba (the tallest/third pillar). After this, all the rites of Hajj are completed, and pilgrims should now depart to Makkah.
- Performing the farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wida)
Finally, the farewell Tawaf is the last rite that must be performed before departing from Makkah. It is an obligatory act. There is no Saey and shaving/trimming of the head after this Tawaf.
The spiritual and social significance of Hajj in Islam
Moving further, every pilgrim who has performed the Hajj correctly and understood the meaning of its rites returns with a reformed personality, and its influence is depicted in his spiritual, moral, and social life. In the following section, the spiritual and social significance of Hajj is discussed in detail.
A- The spiritual significance of Hajj
- Deepening God-consciousness and reminding the ultimate purpose of life
To begin with, the most prominent spiritual significance of Hajj is that it undoubtedly brings pilgrims closer to Allah Almighty. The rites performed during Hajj, such as circumambulating the Kaaba, standing at Arafat, and stoning the Jamarat, serve to deepen the consciousness of Allah’s presence. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 158, Allah Almighty states,
“Indeed, (the hills of) Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.”
This verse signifies that pilgrims see the symbols of Allah Almighty during Hajj, making them experience a profound sense of spiritual purification. Therefore, this journey undoubtedly reminds pilgrims of their ultimate purpose and the transient nature of worldly life, thereby reinforcing their devotion to Islamic teachings. In short, Hajj certainly deepens the consciousness of Allah in pilgrims and reminds them of the real purpose of worldly life.
- Cleaning sins and fostering a sense of redemption
Additionally, another central spiritual significance of Hajj is that it provides the opportunity to repent and seek forgiveness for past sins. In Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet (PBUH) has been quoted as saying,
“Whoever performs the pilgrimage to this House and does not behave in an immoral manner, he will go back free of sin like the day his mother gave birth to him.”
This hadith highlights that a sincere pilgrimage can cleanse a pilgrim of their sins, allowing them to start afresh with a purified soul. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 96, Allah says,
“Surely, the first House (of worship) established for humanity is the one at Bakkah-a blessed sanctuary and a centre of guidance for the whole world.”
Hence, Hajj frees pilgrims from sins and guides them to lead a righteous life.
B- The social significance of Hajj
- Fostering unity and brotherhood in the Muslim Ummah
First, the most crucial social significance of Hajj is that it brings together Muslims from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, etc. It, therefore, serves as a powerful force in uniting the global Muslim Ummah by transcending linguistic, cultural, geographical, and financial boundaries. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 103, Allah states,
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”
Hajj is the glorious testament of this verse, in which all the pilgrims gather for the single purpose of seeking the same spiritual connection with the Creator by wearing the same simple attire (Ihram) and performing the same rituals altogether. Moreover, this unity helps pilgrims overcome the challenges faced during Hajj by supporting one another, thus strengthening social bonds and fostering brotherhood. Hence, the most important social significance of Hajj is that it fosters unity and brotherhood among the Muslim Ummah.
- Promoting cultural exchange and tolerance
Second, another noteworthy social significance of Hajj is it promotes cultural exchange and tolerance. Basically, Hajj facilitates cultural exchange among Muslims coming from different countries, thereby promoting cross-cultural understanding and tolerance. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 197, Allah says,
“Whoever commits to (performing) pilgrimage, let them stay away from intimate relations, foul language, and arguments during pilgrimage.”
This verse demonstrates that Allah Almighty has ordained pilgrims to refrain from arguments and quarreling, thus, fostering tolerance for one another. Hence, the promotion of cultural exchange and tolerance is indeed the prime social significance of Hajj.
Critical analysis
Critically, despite being one of the holiest and most anticipated events in a pilgrim’s life, the Hajj, in the current era, fails to instil the desired spiritual and social transformation in most pilgrims. The prime reason for this lagging is their lack of spiritual preparation. Some pilgrims focus on the rites superficially, neglecting the purpose of performing the sacred Hajj. For instance, during the 2024 Hajj, a video of a South African woman dancing in front of the Holy Kaaba went viral. This incident depicts that in today’s era, some pilgrims are unaware of the significance of the holy journey. Moreover, some pilgrims unfortunately lack a true understanding of the purpose of Hajj rituals. For example, some pilgrims, out of madness and frustration, throw empty bottles, slippers, shoes, and other hard materials on Jamarat. However, the pelting of stones is not as if the Devil is present at the place; rather, it is the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.), whom the Devil repeatedly tried to dissuade from sacrificing his son as ordained by Allah. Unfortunately, most of the pilgrims are unaware of this history and throw everything they can, thinking they are pelting the Devil trapped on Jamarat. Hence, a lack of spiritual preparation and knowledge hinders pilgrims from achieving the true benefits of Hajj.
Conclusion
Conclusively, just like Allah Almighty has made certain worships, such as Salat, Zakat, Sawm, etc., obligatory for Muslims, He has also made Hajj obligatory for physically and financially capable adult Muslims. Actually, Allah Almighty has described it as an obligation for Muslims in various verses of the Holy Quran. Not only this, but the last Prophet (PBUH) also explained its obligation and its benefits in numerous hadiths. As far as its spiritual significance is concerned, it deepens God-consciousness and reminds pilgrims of the ultimate purpose of life. Additionally, it also becomes an opportunity for pilgrims to clean their sins and develop a sense of redemption, hence enabling them to spend a righteous life. Not only this, but Hajj also encompasses various social significance. Mainly, it fosters unity and brotherhood in the Muslim Ummah and promotes cultural exchange and tolerance among pilgrims. Hence, Hajj is undeniably one of Allah Almighty’s prime obligations.
CSS Solved Past Papers’ Essays
Looking for the last ten years of CSS and PMS Solved Essays and want to know how Sir Kazim’s students write and score the highest marks in the essays’ papers? Then, click on the CSS Solved Essays to start reading them.
CSS Solved Essays
CSS Solved Islamiyat Past Papers
Want to read the last ten years’ Islamiyat Solved Past Papers to learn how to attempt them and to score high? Let’s click on the link below to read them all freely. All past papers have been solved by Pakistan’s top CSS Islamiyat coach having the highest score of their students.
CSS Solved Islamiyat
CSS Solved General Science & Ability Past Papers
Want to read the last ten years’ General Science & Ability Solved Past Papers to learn how to attempt them and to score high? Let’s click on the link below to read them all freely. All past papers have been solved by Pakistan’s top CSS GSA coach having the highest score of their students.
CSS Solved General Science & Ability
