Chapter on the Reasons Behind Hajj

The author of this book, Shaykh (may Allah (swt) have mercy on him), states: "I have compiled the chains of transmission for the causes (and wisdoms) of Hajj, which I will mention here, as narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and the Imams (as), in my book titled Jami‘ ‘Ilal al-Hajj (The Compilation of the Causes of Hajj)."

Hadith.2109 - The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: "The Ka'bah was named 'Ka'bah' because it is the center of the world."

Hadith.2110 - It is narrated: "The Ka'bah was named 'Ka'bah' because it is cubical in shape. It became cubical because it is directly beneath the Bayt al-Ma‘mur, which is also cubical. The Bayt al-Ma‘mur became cubical because it is directly beneath the Throne (‘Arsh), which is cubical as well. The Throne is cubical because the foundational words upon which Islam is built are four: Subhan Allah (swt) (Glory be to Allah (swt)), Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah (swt)), La ilaha illa Allah (swt) (There is no god but Allah (swt)), and Allahu Akbar (Allah (swt) is the Greatest)."

Hadith.2111 - The House of Allah (swt), the Sacred (Bayt Allah (swt) al-Haram), was so named because it was made forbidden (haram) for the polytheists to enter it.

Hadith.2112 - The House (Ka'bah) was named al-Bayt al-Atiq (The Ancient House) because it was saved (freed) from being submerged in the flood.

Hadith.2113 - It is narrated: "It was named al-Atiq (the Ancient) because it is a house independent of people and has never been owned by anyone."

Hadith.2114 - The House (Ka'bah) was placed in the center of the Earth because it is the spot from beneath which the Earth was spread out, and so that its obligation could be equal for the people of both the East and the West.

Hadith.2115 - The area known as al-Hatim was named as such because people crowd and jostle each other there, "crushing" (yahtim) one another in that space.

Hadith.2118 - It is named Bakkah because people crowd against one another there, pressing with their hands.

Hadith.2119 - It is narrated that it was named Bakkah because of the weeping of people around and within it.

Hadith.2120 - And it is narrated: "Indeed, Quraysh demolished the Kaaba because floods would come from the higher regions of Mecca, entering it and causing it to crack."

Hadith.2121 - And it is narrated: Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) was asked about the saying of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Glorious: “...wherein the residents and the visitors are equal...” (Surah Al-Hajj 22:25). Imam (as) replied: "It was not appropriate to construct doors on the houses of Mecca because the pilgrims had the right to stay with the residents in their courtyards until they completed their rituals. The first to place doors on the houses of Mecca was Muawiyah."

Hadith.2122 - "The mosque was made sacred because of the Kaaba, the sanctuary was made sacred because of the mosque, and Ihram became obligatory because of the sanctuary."

"I asked Abu Al-Hasan (as) about the Talbiyah and its reason. Imam (as) said: 'Indeed, when people enter Ihram, Allah (swt), Mighty and Majestic, calls out to them, saying, "My servants and handmaids, I will make you forbidden upon the Fire just as you have entered Ihram for Me." Thus, their saying, 'Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik' (Here I am, O Allah (swt), Here I am) is a response to Allah (swt), Mighty and Majestic, for His call to them.'

Hadith.2125 - The Day of Tarwiyah (8th of Dhul-Hijjah) was named so because there was no water in Arafat, and people would bring water from Makkah to quench their thirst. They would say to one another, 'Have you provided water for yourselves? Have you provided water for yourselves?' Thus, it was named the Day of Tarwiyah for this reason.

Hadith.2128 - "It was named Al-Khaif because it is elevated above the valley, and everything that rises above the valley is called 'Khaif.'"

Hadith.2129 - The standing was appointed at Al-Mash'ar and not within the Haram because the Kaaba is the House of Allah (swt), the Haram is its veil, and Al-Mash'ar is its door. When the visitors sought to approach, He made them stand at the door, pleading until He permitted them to enter. Then He made them stand at the second veil, which is Muzdalifah. When He observed their prolonged supplications, He commanded them to bring their sacrifices. Once they had offered their sacrifices, completed their rituals, and cleansed themselves of the sins that had served as barriers between them and Him, He commanded them to visit Him in a state of purity.

Hadith.2130 - It has been narrated: 'These are days of eating, drinking, and marital relations.'

Hadith.2131 - Sitting with one's knees drawn up (ihtiba') in the Sacred Mosque is disliked out of reverence for the Kaaba.

Hadith.2132 - The Hajj was called 'Al-Hajj Al-Akbar' (the Greater Pilgrimage) because it was the year in which both Muslims and polytheists performed the pilgrimage, and the polytheists did not perform Hajj after that year.

Hadith.2133 - The Takbir in Mina after fifteen prayers and in the towns after ten prayers was instituted because when people depart during the first departure (on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah), the people of the towns cease the Takbir, while the people of Mina continue to say Takbir as long as they remain in Mina until the final departure (on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah).

Hadith.2136 - The Messenger of Allah (swt), peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said: "Allah (swt) made this sacrifice (Adha) so that your needy may be satisfied with meat, so feed them."