First of all, let’s agree that every religion in the world has its special place which it considers as the cradle, or the launching point from which it spread in the world, or that witnessed very special moments of some great figures of that religion. Therefore, the fact that every religion has a special place that is seen to be holy and sacred is always there. Even on a personal level, there are places that we love more than others because of the memories and the experiences we had in them. Bearing this in mind, we can say Makkah and Madinah are holy places for all Muslims all over the world, and not only for Arab Muslims. Makkah and Madinah are two sanctuaries of Islam. These cities are the most holy cities for all Muslims. Unfortunately, due to ignorance or just plain carelessness, many Muslims visiting the sacred cities do not observe proper manners. Excellent manners are an essential part of the Islamic Faith. A great number of books and booklets exist, in nearly all languages of the world, about the rituals to be performed in Makkah and Madinah. Some of these books describe in detail the various tasks and activities of Hajj and Umrah. Many others outline countless Du’a (supplications) and Qur’anic verses suitable during Tawaf (circumambulation) of Ka’ba. Many media outlets such as television and radio programs provide information for pilgrims but again the focus is on the acts that must be performed and the readings to accompany them. Very little is said about the etiquette required in Makkah and Madinah. There is a great need for educating Muslims visiting Makkah and Medina to behave in a respectful manner. Furthermore, the unfortunate truth is that an overwhelming majority of Muslim countries are under developed. The literacy rate in most of the Muslim countries is very low. The civic propriety in poor Muslim countries is often non existent. Therefore, when pilgrims come to Makkah and Madinah, they bring with them the same unrefined manner of behaviour so common in such countries. Regrettably, pilgrims have missed the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as well. The Prophet has said very clearly, “Cleanliness (hygiene) is half of all Faith” He has also said, “Cleanliness (hygiene) are a part of Faith”. In another place, He (peace be upon him) has said, “The best among you is the one who is best in manners”. prayers to be accepted by Allah, it is Islam’s requirement that the body, the dress and the place must be clean (TAHARAH). Similarly, good behaviour is an essential requirement if our prayers are to be accepted. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) forbade pushing or jumping over people in order to make room for another person to pray. He also forbade praying in pathways or walkways in order to avoid inconvenience for people. Narrated by Abu Shuraih (May Allah be pleased with him), The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!” It was said, “Who is that, O Allah’s Apostle?” He said, “That person whose neighbour does not feel safe from his evil.” (Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 4). This Hadith clearly describes the civic responsibility of a believer. In the holy cities of Makkah or Madinah we have temporary neighbours and these temporary neighbours have greater rights on us (the pilgrims) than do our regular neighbours at home.
The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka: Full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings. In it are Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security. Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures. (Aal `Imran 3:96-97)
In the true values of Islam, treating people with respect is a prerequisite to Allah’s acceptance of our good deeds. However, many Muslims ignore this critical aspect of the religion. If a Haji (pilgrim) believes that kissing Hajr-e-Aswad (or the black stone mounted on one of the corners of Ka’ba) will bring him/her the blessings of Allah but he/she does not care how much pain and inconvenience they cause to other people in order to get to the Hajr-e-Aswad on a crowded day, then this person must reconsider seriously. What use does Allah have for his good deeds if his creation is harmed unnecessarily by his seemingly “good” actions? Instead of receiving blessings from Allah for his/her deed, there may only be the displeasure and wrath of Allah waiting for those who misbehave in the most holy places on Earth. Similarly, in Madinah many people seek to pray in Riyadh-ul-Jannah (an area between the grave and the pulpit of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and they push and jump over the other people in order to make room for themselves. Some people wish to remain in this area for as long as they can thinking that the longer they sit, the greater the reward. These pilgrims selfishly forget that other pilgrims too have the desire to spend a few minutes in this special place. Such behaviour may not bring blessings but anger of Allah. It is observed many ill-mannered people talk very loudly in front of the Muwajeh Sharif (the grave of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)) and many Muslims of today seem to regard Makkah and Madinah as casual tourist places OR their focus is to complete certain tasks and rituals as quickly as possible to achieve the most reward in the shortest period of time. Do we really know what Makkah and Madinah are? I believe that most visiting Muslims do not even begin to understand the superior sacredness of Makkah and Madinah. Makkah is that city about which almighty Allah says; “Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (former name of Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for al-Alameen (the mankind and Jinns). In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqaam (place) of Ibraheem (Abraham); whosoever enters it, he attains security.” (Surah al-Imran (3): 96-97) Almighty Allah swears by the city of Makkah and provides us with the reason thereof; this is the city where the blessed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born and He (peace be upon him) used to walk. The feet of our beloved Muhammad (peace be upon him) have touched the land of this city. When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was migrating from Makkah and going to Madinah, he turned his face towards Makkah and said, “ Makkah I love you and I know you love me but your people have forced me to leave you”. In this city Allah ordered Prophets Abraham and Ishmael (A.S.) to build the Ka’ba, the house of Allah, and invite the entire mankind to come for Hajj of Bait Al Ateeq. Since then countless humans have visited this blessed city and performed their pilgrimage. This is the city where our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was born and raised. This is the city where he first declared that Allah has made him the last messenger and prophet for entire mankind. Some of the important virtues of Makkah are: (i) Al-Masjid al-Haraam was the first house of worship ordained for mankind on Earth. Allah has placed several blessings in it, for e.g., the Salaat in al-Masjid al-Haraam has multiplied rewards when compared to the Salaat performed elsewhere. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “One Salaat in my Masjid is better than 10,000 Salaat anywhere else except in al-Masjid al-Haraam.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim] (ii) “One Salaat in al-Masjid al-Haraam is better than 100 Salaat in my Masjid.” [Musnad Ahmad] (iii) Zam-Zam is the name of the famous well inside al-Masjid al-Haraam. This well sprung up when Prophet Ishmael (Isma’eel) (peace be upon him) as an infant struck the earth with his heels struggling in thirst. His mother Hazrat Hajrah (Hager) looked for water, but could not find any. She climbed to the top of Mount Safa and prayed to Allah for help, and then she climbed Mount Marwa and did the same. Allah responded to her supplication and sent Jibreel (peace be upon him) to dig out the well of Zam-Zam. It is Allah’s special blessing and miracle that the well of Zam-Zam gushes fresh and strong in a desert land like Makkah; a place where even today’s advanced scientific technologies can create no wells (iv) Another Blessing of Masjid al-Haraam is the al-Hajar al-Aswad (the Black Stone), from where the Tawaaf (circumambulation) initiates and ends. Hajar al-Aswad is a stone of Paradise and it was as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The black stone descended from Paradise whiter than milk, but the sins of the descendants of Adam made it black.” (Musnad Ahmad and at-Tirmidhee no: 2577) (v) The virtues of al-Hajar al-Aswad is that touching it causes the (minor) sins to be forgiven, Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: “Touching them both [the Black Stone and al-Rukn al-Yamani] is an expiation for sins.” [(Hasan) by at-Tirmidhee, no: 959 and (Saheeh) by al-Haakim, vol: 1, no: 664] (vi) The city of Makkah was declared a sanctuary by Allah (vii) Most of the Messengers and Prophets of Allah visited this city including Prophet Abraham (Ibraheem) and Prophet Ishmael (Ismaeel). (viii) This is the city where Hazrat Hajrah (Hager) lived and raised her son Prophet Ishmael (Ismaeel). Prophet Ismaeel spent most of his life in Makkah (ix) This city is truly cradle of Islam (x) The miraculous journey of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) towards the Heavens, Al Asra wal Me’raj, started and ended in this city (xi) Within the sanctuary of Makkah, there are so many signs of Allah (Sha’a-ir-Allah) and the historical sites such as the fields of Mina, Muzdhalifah, Arafat, the cave of Thore, the graveyard of Jannatul Mu’alla, the hills of Safa and Marwah, the house where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born, etc. and (xii) Prophet Abraham prayed for Makkah to be a safe place. This is mentioned in the Quran, as Almighty Allah says what means: {And remember Abraham said: “My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and feed its people with fruits,-such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day.” He said: “(Yea), and such as reject Faith,-for a while will I grant them their pleasure, but will soon drive them to the torment of Fire,- an evil destination (indeed)!”} (Al-Baqarah 2:126) Almighty Allah also says in the Quran: {Remember Abraham said: “O my Lord! make this city one of peace and security: and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols.} (Ibrahim 14:35) (xiii) This is the city where millions of Muslims yearn to go and millions more visit each year. Madinah, the second holiest city in Islam lies 447 kilometers north of the holy city Makkah. The citizens of Madinah invited Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers to live among them when they were facing hostility and persecution of the Makkah people. The support given by the people of Madinah to Prophet (peace be upon him) and his supporters is written in golden words in the history of Islam. It was Madinah from where Islamic era began. It was the seat of the first Islamic state, spreading the word of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to Egypt, Persia and Syria. It is the place in which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was buried. Some virtues of Madinah Munawwarah are: Narrated by Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) : The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ” Medina is a sanctuary from that place to that. Its trees should not be cut and no heresy should be innovated nor any sin should be committed in it, and whoever innovates in it a heresy or commits sins (bad deeds), then he will incur the curse of Allah, the angels, and all the people.” (Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 30, Number 91) In another Hadith: Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) said, “I was ordered to migrate to a town which will swallow (conquer) other towns and is called Yathrib and that is Medina , and it turns out (bad) persons as a furnace removes the impurities of iron. (Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 30, Number 95). Narrated Sa’d (May Allah be pleased with him): I heard the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saying, “None plots against the people of Medina but that he will be dissolved (destroyed) like the salt is dissolved in water.” (Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 30, Number 101). Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There will be no town which Ad-Dajjal will not enter except Makkah and Medina, and there will be no entrance (road) (of both Makkah and Medina) but the angels will be standing in rows guarding it against him, and then Medina will shake with its inhabitants thrice (i.e. three earth-quakes will take place) and Allah will expel all the non-believers and the hypocrites from it.” (Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 30, Number 105) Narrated Anas (May Allah be pleased with him), Whenever the Prophet (Peace be upon him) returned from a journey and observed the walls of Medina , he would make his Mount go fast, and if he was on an animal (i.e. a horse), he would make it gallop because of his love for Medina . (Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 30, Number 110) Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “There is a garden from the gardens of Paradise between my house and my pulpit, and my pulpit is on my Lake Fount (Al-Kauthar).” (Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Number 112) Narrated by Zaid bin Aslam from his father (May Allah be pleased with them), Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, O Allah! Grant me martyrdom in Your cause, and let my death be in the city of Your Apostle (peace be upon him).” (Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 30, Number 114)
The pilgrims are now aware of these important honours and virtues of Makkah and Madinah; they must now be extra careful in the City of Makkah and Madinah particularly in the vicinity of Masjid Al Haram and Masjid Al Nabawi Sharif. If they do not take care in these sacred places, then they risk loosing the benefit of their good deeds and prospect the reward from Allah. Let us learn the best manners and behaviour to conduct ourselves with great dignity in Makkah and Madinah. We must look to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for true guidance, outling excellent etiquette for Allah’s and the Prophet’s own city. In addition, we must try to bring these refined manners back home with us.
May Allah give us all the chance to visit the beautiful city of Makkah and Madinah Munawwarah accept our Hajj and Umra. Ameen
——-( The author at teacher at S K University of Agriculture Sciences & Technology (SKUAST) Srinagar writes on Islamic topics exclusively for “Kashmir Horizon”. However the views expressed by the author are his personal but not of “Kashmir Horizon”)