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DITORIAL
At the start of this holy month, I got many messages saying that this Hajj will
beHajj-e-Akbar as it is comingonFriday. I think there isagreatmisconception
lies regarding the term Hajj-e-Akbar. On whatever day the Wuquf-e-’Arafah
may fall, the Hajj will remain Hajj-e-Akbar not ‘Umrah which is called Hajj-
e-Asghar. But if, by luck, the 9th of Zilhijj falls on a Friday, it is, indeed, good
fortune as it will enhance the dignity of the Hajj. Besides, it will also provide
an opportunity to the pilgrims to earn even more blessings by observing yet
another Sunnat of the Holy Prophet as his “Hajjatul Wada” (last/farewell
Hajj) took place on Friday. There is in a narrative that the Hajj which takes
place on Friday carries the reward equivalent to seventy Hajjs. This is also
a great excellence. Friday is the day of ‘Eid for Muslims and ‘Arafah is also
‘Eid day. If two ‘Eids fall on a day that is, undoubtedly, a wonderful thing and
blessing upon blessing. Once a jew said to Hadrat Ibne ‘Abbaas (may Allah
be pleased with him) that if the Quranic verse: “Al-yauma Akmaltu Lakum
Deenakum wa Atmamtu ‘Alaiekum Ne’matee wa Radeetu Lakumul Islaama
Deenaa” (I have, this day, perfected your religion for you and completed My
favour upon you and have chosen Islaam as religion for you) had been
sent down for us, we would have celebrated ‘Eid on that day. Hadrat Ibne
‘Abbaas told the jew that two Eids were combined on the day this verse
descended i.e. Jumu’ah and ‘Arafah. So we did not need celebrate ‘Eid on
that day. Friday and ‘Arafah (9th of Zilhijj) are the days of Eid for believers
and the day the Quranic verse in question was sent down was Friday as
well as ‘Arafah (meaning Friday and ‘Arafah were combined on a day).
May Allah bless you Hajj-e-Akbar and Hajj-e-Asghar every year.
Your Well Wisher!