The Prophet's acts of worship during Hajj -II
4- Heeding Allaah's hudood (limits)
Heeding Allaah's limits is the highest degree of piety. It is an indication of true belief, and a sign of perfect submission to Allaah. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, more than anyone else, was a strict observant of Allaah's limits. He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, was the most devout of all, and used to glorify Allaah's sanctities more than any one else, as was seen on many occasions during Hajj. For example, when he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, offered Hady, out of consideration for his companions he did not end his Ihraam, although he ordered those who did not offer Hady to end theirs, and to perform Umrah simultaneously with the Hajj. However, having interpreted his order merely as a non-obligatory permission, they kept their Ihraam. Expressing their desire to stay in the state of Ihraam, some of them said "Do we come to 'Arafah after having sex with our wives?" Upon hearing this, the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, responded: "You know for sure that I am more devout, more truthful, and more righteous than any of you. Yet, had I not offered Hady, I would have ended my state of Ihraam. You, therefore, should end your state of Ihraam." [Al-Bukhaari]
5- His tranquility and submission to Allaah
Presence of the heart, and submissiveness to Allaah, Almighty, can be attained only through tranquility and strict discipline of the senses. The outer appearance in this regard, is an indication of the inner reality. In his Hajj, the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, combined both elements: Firstly, he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, attained a presence of the heart. Nothing could divert his attention away from his rituals, or from showing submission and humility to Allaah. Standing with his hands raised close to his chest, he privately offered his supplication for extended periods of time. Secondly, all of the Prophet's, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, senses were full of submission and surrender to Allaah, Almighty. He would walk quietly in reverence and tranquility going about his rituals. Jaabir, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported: "The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, performed Al-Ifaadhah in tranquility." [Al-Bukhaari] Ibn 'Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that as he and the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, were moving together on the Day of 'Arafah, they heard loud noises, clattering and roars of camels. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, then pointed his whip at the people and said: "Be quiet; haste is no indication of righteousness!" [At-Tirmithi]
6- Doing plenty of good deeds
Not only did the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, enjoined good, he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, was also keen on doing the same during the Hajj. This is manifest in his performance of all the favorable Hajj rituals. He performed Ghusl (ritual body wash) before assuming Ihraam, wore perfume upon assuming and ending it, [Al-Bukhaari], marked and garlanded the sacrificial animal, and frequently recited talbiyah aloud until he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, had cast the Jamaratul-'Aqabah ('Aqabah Stone). [Al-Bukhaari] He also started Tawaaf as soon as he entered the House, [Al-Bukhaari], walked briskly in Tawaaf, touched the two corners of the Ka'bah, offered two Rak'ahs of Tawaaf behind Maqaam Ibraaheem (Ibraaheem's station), [Muslim], supplicated Allaah on the hills of Safaa and Marwah, ran in the middle of the valley, supplicated upon touching the two corners and while throwing the jamaraat [Al-Bukhaari]. There are many other acts that he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, performed.
7- His moderation and equanimity
Islam encourages moderation and censures exaggeration. In fact equanimity was the most significant attitude of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, in the Hajj. He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, abhorred exaggeration—he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, did neither too much nor too little. Two acts of worship can be stressed in this regard. Firstly, he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, adopted a happy medium between his acts of worship [Al-Bukhaari], and his responsibility as a leader of the Muslims. However, he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, did not neglect his duty to his wives and his household who needed care and affection. Secondly, he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, also took equal care of his body and soul. This is a very important point, as the awe-inspiring surroundings of the Hajj may compel many people to observe the spiritual and entirely forget the physical side of their being. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, however, took very good care of his body. For example, on Tarwyah Day he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, moved closer to Mina in order to be near 'Arafah [Muslim]; slept during the nights of 'Arafah and Muzdalifah [Al-Bukhaari]; took breakfast on the Day of 'Arafah [Al-Bukhaari]; but did not offer supererogatory prayers [Muslim]. He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, took shelter in a dome made from camel hair erected especially for him, moved between the sacred sites [Al-Bukhaari], and performed some of the Hajj rituals riding on camelback [Muslim]. Furthermore, he even had someone who served and helped him. [Ibn Maajah]
8- Renouncement of the present life
The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, renounced the present life and rejected all that was not vital for the Hereafter. There are countless examples of his denunciatory attitude towards the present life. Listed are but a few:
He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, used an old, shabby camel saddled with a piece of velvet hardly worth four Dirhams (silver currency). He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, allowed Usaamah Ibn Zayd, may Allaah be pleased with him, to ride behind him on his camel back from 'Arafah to Muzdalifah, and allowed Al-Fadhl Ibn 'Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, to ride behind him from Muzdalifah to Mina. [Al-Bukhaari]
Source: Al-Jumuah