Islamic marriage advice and family advice

Washing of the Kaa’ba

Hajj

Alhumdolillah, I am SO excited - I just paid my deposit for my trip for hajj 2012, inshAllah and pray that Allah allows me the ability to perfom it. I have been studying all the material I can find and asking family and friends tips about Hajj and umrah so I am well prepared when the BIG day arrives, inshAllah.

However, I am very confused regarding the washing of the Kaa'ba. Is that something that the Prophet (SAW) did? The Saudi Wahabis are so strict and have destroyed so many important Islamic historical structures but I feel that this might be a biddah. When I saw Youtube videos, the way the King etc go in to the Kaa'bah and use little pieces of cloth soaked in Zamzam to clean the walls, it looks so fake and unIslamic behavior. Any thoughts?

~ serendipity


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22 Responses »

  1. May Allah Show You Hajj And perform it Also May
    Allah Accept all Your Prayers & Duas
    please Keep me In your Duas as im Having Problems
    with my Husband Please pray that i Love him and that hate between us
    Remove aplease

  2. Asalaamualaykum Serendipity,

    Congratulations, I know how much you wanted to go for Hajj. I am happy for you and ask you to forgive me if I upset you or caused you offence in our earlier conversations. And may Allah(swt) make your pilgrimage a successful one, aameen.

    With regards to the youtube video, I just watched part of it. It is in Arabic so I don't understand what is being said, but I didnt see anything wrong or biddah in what they were doing. What did you find fake and unislamic? All they were doing was cleaning the Kaabah, what is wrong with that?

    If I were you, I'd begin to prepare myself mentally, physically and spiritually for the beautiful journey ahead. Start reading some books about the Hajj Rites. Also read a good biography of Rasool(sws) because you'll find that many of the reasons behind the Hajj rites are explained there. I did say I would write something about hajj and I still have not done so. Insha'Allah I will try to as the month of Dhul Hijjah will be upon us soon insha'Allah.

    SisterZ
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  3. WSalam, Sr. Z
    No hard feelings, sister, email is black and white and it is easy to judge someone, but we should be open to accepting our mistakes and the other side should be open to forgiving and forgetting. Allah loves this behavior.

    Well, the whole thing is so "staged" with the King (First of all I don't like that concept as that is dictatorship and Islam is not for dictatorship! these kings are not like Hazrat Umar RA who used to dress like an ordinary man and walk around at night looking for how he could help - but that is a different topic!) comes with his entourage and not at all humbly, in my opinion, and then walks into the Kaaba and does a few swipes of the wall with a rag and then walks out! As I have asked, was this prescribed by the Prophet (SAW)? Why does this washing have to be during hajj days - also why not randomly, and allow some pilgrims doing hajj/umrah also have the blessing of entering the Ka'abaa. The Ka'aba should nit just be for dignitaries to enter.

    I have already read everything about Hajj that I could possibly find. Any suggestions what to recite/do in Madina after visiting the Propeht (SAW) rawdah other than the prayers in Riyaz ul Jannah and visiting Jannat ul Baqee?

    • Asalaam alaikum,

      What a privilege you are about to embark on this year! Please keep me in your duas when you make Hajj, Insha'allah!

      A word of advice that a friend gave me: When you perform the pilgrimage, don't get caught up in "doing everything." Instead, focus on connecting with our Creator. Use the time to put yourself into His Vicinity through purification of intentions, duas and complete humility. Some people sit there trying to get "everything" done and physically exhaust themselves while not attaining the spiritual rewards. Make your focus with being abased before Allah (swt) and this will be the most significant part of your journey.

      Also, keep in mind that many people may afterwards think, "what next," after returning. So keep an idea in your heart for Allah (swt) to inspire you to make the most of your journey and upon your return to inspire and reignite your passion for "doing" good work in your life and helping others through the grace of Allah (swt).

    • Yes, the "washing" of the Ka'bah by the king or other so-called dignitaries or "important people" is fake. It's what they call nowadays a "photo opportunity". It's a staged act, meant to impress people with how humble the king is, and remind them that he is the "custodian" of the two mosques.

      Insha'Allah one day we'll be free of all these kings, dictators and tyrants.

      However, that should not be your concern as you do your Hajj, Insha'Allah. Focus on your journey to Allah and the purification of your soul. Think about obtaining forgiveness for your sins. Remember that you are walking ground where the Prophets and the Sahabah walked.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

    • Dear Sis,

      Yes, I guess it does look staged and yes I am sure Rasool(sws) never walked around like a king with his entoutorage. When he(sws) was asked what he would rather be: King on earth, or Slave of Allah, he(sws) chose the latter as that is the highest position anyone can ever attain. Kingship will diminish on earth, whereas the Slave of Allah will continue to gain good in the Hereafter. With regards to washing the Kaabah, I don't think that is a Hajj ritual. And if we were all allowed inside the Kaabah, I imagine it would be quite difficult to manage.

      As the other's said, put your focus on perfecting your Hajj. As far as In know there is nothing to pray when you visit Madina, just send Salaams upon Rasool(sws), his family and companions and cherish the moment. Just imagine, you'll be walking in the footsteps of Rasool(sws), Ibrahim(as) and Isma'el(as) - I'm getting shivers just thinking about it now and I crave to go again soon insha'Allah!

      Each rock, every mountain, even some trees you walk by will have witnessed amazing things Sister. If they could speak, I'd want to sit by them listening to their accounts all day and night. You'll be circling the Kaabah, walking between Mounts Safa and Marwa (sad that they are no longer mountains though), and you'll be staying in Mina, Arafah, you'll see Masjid e Namirah where Rasool(sws) made his famous last sermon. You'll be stoning the shaytan away in the footsteps of Ibrahim(as) - a story 1000's of years old - but it happened for real. And then theres Muzdalifah - subhaanAllah...you will see people for as far as your eyes can see, mountains all around and you'll be sleeping under an open sky. Its as though Allah stretches the land to fit all the pilgrims. It is the most beautiful and amazing sight ever. You'll know what I mean once you've been.

      I could write for ages, but I'm running late for work! Happy thoughts though...and I'm shivering all over : ) x

      SisterZ
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  4. PL TAKE OUT FULL SET FO THE PAGES AND KEEP IN YOUR SUTICASE USE ONE SHEET REFERD FOR THAT PARTICULAR DAY YOU WILL BE FREE FROM ASKING ANYINE WHET WHAT NEXT WHAT NEXT HOW AND WHEN TO DO PL CIRCULATE TO OTHERS FOR FECILITY

    http://api.ning.com/files/6e6Bbf45BgqRNkl2HY2s4RTYXrTGz5IKqww-vxD--0WHZx3Butir*YW-zrHnSaTRDHN-r*UXuSMo5AZu5xl8HJgkAtpI5JM0/HajjStep_by_step__pictures.pdf

    • Please, I hope I won't insult you, but could you please not write in capslock? I don't know the correct English word for it, but t's look "blatant".
      You write wise words, but I don't like to read your answers, because you often write in capslock without interpunction.

      Astaghfirullah.

      • It is hard to read, but Ali has said before that he writes like that because his eyesight is poor and he cannot see the small letters. So I've made an exception and allowed it for him.

        Wael
        IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  5. Asalaam alaikum Sister,

    Mashallah Allah bless you on your journey and may he accept your pilgrimage inshallah and forgive all your sins. Ameen.

    Don't forget to pray for the ummah too and for us to all be on the right path to please him (swt).

    I feel so happy when someone says their going hajj or umra. I wish I get to experience this too soon inshallah.

    Allah bless all my brothers & sisters in Islam,

    Allah have mercy on us and our families, Ameen,

    Salamat,

    Sister R 🙂

    • Keep praying with sincere heart - I last went for ramadhan umrah 10 years ago with my parents even to this day "shiver" like Sr. Z when I am reminded of the beautiful experience

  6. May Allah accept your hajj.

    As everyone have suggested above, the important thing is to start learning about hajj and make a plan so that you can make the most of your journey.

    Allah previliged me to perform hajj in 2011 and it was indeed the journey of my life. I wrote about my experience in my blog. You may read it and may find it beneficial:

    My Hajj Diary: Random Reflections, Discrete Memories, and Practical Advice
    Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

    • Br. Stranger
      Thanks for sharing the links of your blog with us all. I started reading it last night and could not wait to get home from work to finish the last part! The photos helped put so many things into perspective. In my mind things were as I last saw them in 1997 with my parents at the ramadhan umrah. My parents have been to hajj mashallah 3 times and have performed numerous umrahs, and they would always say on their return of how "things have changed so much since the past 2 years (or 1 or whatever many years later when they would go) we were there". This would be mind blowing to them as they last went about 5 years ago.
      BTW, I did not see anything on Madinah in your blog. These days I am trying to focus on my readings for Masjid e Nabawi and trying to learn the location of the various pillars and riyaz ul jaanah. My last experience in the riyaz ul jannah was pretty scary - a woman of considerable size almost killed me when I was in sujood there as she almost sat on me! LOL!! As a result I am learning patience for the trip so that I don't come back with PTSD!!
      Also, I am finding fascinating histories about the Kaaba and masjid a nabawi and both the holy cities in my readings and wish I could share them with all of you.

  7. Congratulations sister.. May Allah make your hajj mabroor. Please send my salam to rasul Allah s.a.w. When Arafah is at its hottest, you try put your hand out of the tent above your head. Your may feel cool out there. Also, in that heat, the sand is cool. No mattress. Just the carpet is enough. Part of my experience in 2010.

  8. Thanks to all brothers and sisters for their suggestions and links. Like Sr. Z, I am all excited and "shivering" LOL!!

    I have been going for umrahs with my parents since I was 16 (not telling you my current age!!), so Alhumdolillah, I have experienced this all that has been suggested, and know all about the spiritual benefits but the hajj is fardh on me and now the moment I could afford it, I wanted to take care of it ASAP as one dose not know when we take our last breath...everyone keeps telling me to wait until you are married and go with your husband, but I don't know if Allah has written that for me or not, and if I can go with a group, I'd rather do it while I am young and alhumdolillah able bodied. If I die single, I will be able to answer my Allah that I did what was fardh on me - I will not be able to put it on a non-existent husband! LOL

    I hope that the 140+ days left for the trip from today will go well and inshAllah there will come no barriers b/w me and the pilgrimage.

    Br. Wael has answered what I was looking for - that I am not the only one thinking this washing does not seem right.

    May Allah bless you and our ummah, inshAllah

    • Walaikum salaam,

      The advice I gave above was from an older brother who had also suggested that going on Hajj was best when single. So you're definitely on the right track.

      I strongly concur with Br.Wael and yourself about the washing on the Kaa'ba. It's always important to note that whoever 'thinks' they are caretaker of the place should lower their self and remember that it is none other than Allah (swt) who protects and cares for it. What's even more pathetic is that this same 'royal' family publishes books about how the house of Saud is the protector the the holy place. It would make me laugh if I could get past the indignation of their conceit.

  9. ASSALAMALAIKUM
    THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR CO-OPERATING WITH MY CAPS LOCK WRITTING REALLY I MAKE MANY MISTAKES IF I DONT USE BLCOK LETTERS-
    JAZAKALLAH-

  10. ASSALAMALAIKUM
    THANKS A LOT MADAM FOR YOUR KIND CONSIDERATION AND MAY ALLAH SHOWER HSI CHOICEST BLESSING ON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY -
    jUSR LET ME KNOW IF I HAVE TO WRITE SOME SUGGESTION TO YOU ON WHICH MAIL I MUST WRITE SOMETIMES IT WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT ONE WHICH IS NOT RIGHT TO BE ON THIS PUBLIC FORUM

    REGARDS
    ALI YOUSUFF.

  11. Marsallah I'm so happy for you, is going to be a wonderful year for you, insallah Allah make all your dreams/ hopes come true.

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