Inside the Grand Mosque Kaaba there is a direction of the Qibla of Muslims during prayer times. The mosque was first built by the Caliph Omar permanently bin Al-Khattab in the year 638 AD In the reign of Abdurrahman bin Zubair who ruled the Hijaz region, building the Kaaba made as the hadith of the Prophet peace be upon him about the foundation of Prophet Ibrahim. But because there were wars with Abdul Malik bin Marwan, ruler of Syria, the Kaaba on fire due to fire thrower (Manjaniq) owned Syrian troops. So Abdul-Malik ibn Marwan who later became caliph, the renovation of the building back to the Kaaba by the renovation of the Holy Prophet at the age of 30 years, not based on the foundation that built Prophet Ibrahim. In its history the Kaaba several times been damaged by war and age of the building.

In the reign of Caliph Harun al-Rashid, Abbasid ruler Daula, he plans to renovate the back Kaaba in accordance with the foundation of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet desired. But the intention is prevented by Imam Malik, one of the leading scholars, because it feared it would become a holy building khilafiyah problem by ruling later and could result in unloading pairs of the Kaaba. So until now the Kaaba building renovation and equipment in accordance with the Caliph Abdul Malik bin Marwan.

From time to time-Haram always experience the renewal and expansion, initiated by the Muslim caliphs who gives attention to the Grand Mosque. Large-scale development in the history initiated by King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, who holds a "waiter Two Holy City of Makkah and Madinah."

At present Haram area 366 000 square meters and can accommodate 914,000 pilgrims in a time of prayer in congregation. The mosque is circling the Kaaba, the door a lot. There are 4 main doors and 45 normal door that is usually open 24 hours a day.

In this modern era, the Holy City of Mecca continued to clean up. Similarly, conditions in the vicinity of the Grand Mosque today. So many skyscraper buildings that surround the Grand Mosque. And now, the Grand Mosque was like a concrete jungle surrounded by challenging the sky. Makkah Construction seems to speed up in anticipation of increasingly pilgrims, both Hajj or Umrah, who came to Mecca each year. Now estimated at 2.5 million people have attended these holy rituals.

Because of the rapid development around the Grand Mosque, pilgrims sometimes wonder and awe. Fact, not rare or Umrah pilgrims who are confused and get lost looking for the road to the Grand Mosque and when returning to the inn.

However, modernity and the rapid development of the Grand Mosque and its surroundings, do not reduce the primacy of worship in this holy place. Haram has so many features, among other prayers at the main mosque more than a hundred thousand times prayers in other mosques. Likewise dhikr, prayer, charity and other good works.

From Abu Hurairah ra, he said, "Of the Prophet, he said, 'They should not bother to travel, except to three mosques, (namely) the Grand Mosque, Masjid Nabawi Prophet, and the Aqsa Mosque." (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Inside the Grand Mosque are the Black Stone, the black stone in the religion of Islam is believed to come from heaven. The first to put the Black Stone at the Kaaba is the Prophet Ibrahim. This stone has a unique scent, natural aroma which has since the beginning of its existence. Currently, Black Stone placed on the outside of the Kaaba making it easy for pilgrims who wanted to kiss her.

At the Grand Mosque complex also contained Maqam Ibrahim. This place is not the tomb of Prophet Abraham as told by some people. Maqam Ibrahim is a small building located in the east of the Kaaba. Inside the building there is a rock where the Prophet Ibrahim when he built the Kaaba stand together as his son Prophet Ismail.

In addition, in the Grand Mosque are also Multazam, which lies between the Black Stone and the door of the Kaaba, a distance of approximately two meters. Named Multazam because dilazimkan for every Muslim to pray in this place. Each prayer is recited in Multazam, Insha Allah, will diijabah or granted.

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Bambang also justify, any bilateral agreement for flights with any country, usually must be reciprocal. "If Indonesia proposed the addition of more than one transport operator Hajj, then Saudi Arabia had the right party to represent more than one airline operators as well," he said. Bambang said Indonesia would choose the flesh, the airline has been flying regularly into Arabic of Lion Air and Batavia Air. "Are they going to be organizer of pilgrim transport, it depends on them," he asserted. Saudi Arabia also will choose other airlines to assist the Saudi Arabian Airlines. According to him, permission from the Arab governments are very important to remember when the pilgrimage season has become more solid. "Arab governments are very selective when giving out 'landing permit' (permission to land) at King Abdul Aziz Airport, Jeddah," he said.

Ministry of Religious Affairs was trying to convince the Government of Saudi Arabia to increase the quota of pilgrims 2011 for Indonesia as much as 12.60 percent to 237,600 people than the number of pilgrims in 2010 as many as 211,000 people.

In addition, the average cost of organizing the Hajj is assumed not to change, that is 3342 U.S. dollars or equivalent to Rp30, 04 million pilgrims including flight costs Rp15, 52 million rupiah per congregation.

In 2010, the government and the House of Representatives agreed to lower the cost of the pilgrimage by 80 dollars to 3342 dollars by lowering the cost of lodging of the proposed 3000 to 2850 riyals riyals, as well as airlines cut margin of the proposed 10 to only 4 percent.

Source:www.republika.co.id

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This year the Hajj sermon was given by the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh. During the hour-long sermon, he made the usual call for unity and piety among Muslims, reminding them about the significance of being God-conscious, adhering to monotheism and living a life cognizant of the Day of Judgment. The Grand Mufti also called for environmental protection. He talked about Islamic values which promote security for the ecosystem and mandate frugal and wise use of natural resources. In addition, part of the sermon was devoted to security issues. The mufti emphasized the necessity of security for the well-being of Muslim communities, and called for the punishment of criminals as well as obedience to rulers, although he did not specify which, as he was vague on political issues.

He spoke about the consequences when human security is absent: the suffering of women and children, chaos and an absence of peace and prosperity. Islam is a religion of mercy and moderation. Spreading violence, hatred and extremism, Sheikh Abdul Aziz said, is against the ethics of Islam. Islam's goal is to spread peace and security in all its forms, and he called on Muslim communities to uphold the ethics and teachings of Islam.

He then proceeded to talk about the concept of security in Islamic law, saying that security permeates all aspects of life and encompasses economic, social, political, intellectual, media, environmental and spiritual dimensions.

It is while explaining intellectual security that the mufti called on Muslim communities to guard against deviancy, especially extremism and fanaticism. He warned that recent advancements in media and technology have led to the spread of dangerous ideologies and cyber terrorism. He called on Muslim teachers, imams, scholars, think tanks and professors to spread the true message of Islam and combat the spread of extremism.

Not everyone considers the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia an enlightened intellectual. Last year, a child marriage controversy erupted in the country when a judge refused to annul the marriage of an eight-year-old girl to a 47-year-old man. At the time Sheikh Abdul Aziz insisted that ten-year-old girls were ready for marriage and to claim otherwise was being unfair to the girls. A compassionate and prudent statement from him then could have done much for the protection and emancipation of young Muslim girls, and for women everywhere.

However, it is precisely because he comes from the hardcore Wahhabi tradition, which is very strictly traditionalist and not very open to progressive change, that his sermon calling for moderation and condemning violence and terrorism gains tremendous significance. As such, it has the potential to reach those segments of Muslim society that liberal Muslims scholars who have routinely condemned violence cannot influence.

This condemnation of violence and extremism, from the most sacred of Muslim places and during the most sacred of Muslim moments, will hopefully reach the darkest of Muslim places and the most intransigent of Muslim groups. I hope that like Malcolm X, whose extremism was cured by the Hajj, Muslim youth who are engaged in radical politics too will be inspired by this sermon, and find balance and moderation in their lives.

Source: Dr. Muqtedar Khan for the Common Ground News Service. Dr. Khan is Associate Professor of Islam and Global Affairs at the University of Delaware and a Fellow of the Institute for Social Policy and Understating.

Source:www.islamicity.com

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A proof at once of pride and gratitude that he has perfected the five pillars of Islam. For the first pilgrimage of course.

Formally, the pilgrimage circuits ranging from Ihram till tahalul already perfectly done. But, the real pilgrimage is not only formal compliance with it. In the above hadith, the Prophet suggested the informal side of the pilgrimage that also must be met, namely the prohibition to not say anything dirty or a sin. This informal side effect, or things to be included in each set of formal religious pilgrimage. If the two sides was performed, as mentioned by him, the person will be returned without sin, like a new born baby. That's called the hajj Mabrur, which in return is a paradise. "Haji Mabrur there is no other replies, except paradise." (HR Nasai from Abu Hurairah). There are no by-the most valuable of the Holy Land, in addition to pilgrimage Mabrur. These are assets that will be exchanged with heaven, as well as the most valuable investment in the afterlife. And, indeed only surgalah prepared by God for people who Hajj Mabrur.

As an asset, the people who Hajj Mabrur obliged to guard it carefully so as not to dirty, or even damaged. Not a few people carrying hajj pilgrimage and go home Mabrur. But after the pilgrimage, he returned to speak dirty and sin.

Hajj or Hajah label pinned on the front of the names of people who return from the pilgrimage is actually a label a reminder that he was on pilgrimage and are required to maintain or kehajahannya kehajian until the end of life by keeping the oral or keep themselves from sin.

Formally, the pilgrimage time is limited, manasiknya forms have also been determined. But, informally, the values will continue to accompany the Hajj pilgrimage of people who, even when it is over a formal pilgrimage.

None other than Dzulhijah pilgrimage in the month, but the values contained in the entire series that the pilgrimage will continue to be with people who have been on pilgrimage, anytime and anywhere. People who have been on pilgrimage required to implement these values throughout life. And Allaah knows best.

Source:www.republika.co.id
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The pillars are constructed by exemplary family is revealed by God Almighty is detailed in Surat ash-Shaffat [37]: 99-112. First, have a clear vision and mission, namely to maintain each other and keep each other in obedience to Allah SWT. Prophet Abraham as the father to go preach to the various corners to spread the message of Allah SWT. Siti Hajar, the wife, with the sincere support of these activities as well as providing encouragement and prayer of blessing for her husband's trip to get blessing of Allah SWT. Second, always pray and ask God Almighty to get the children and descendants of the pious and salehah as heir and successor to his parents' struggle. Sure, they are expected to also able to establish the prayer with the best. Third, build confidence on the decline help of Allah Almighty who is based with persistence to try and seek. For example, when looking for water to meet the needs of his young son (Ismail), Siti Hajar jogged between Mount Safa and Mount Marwa. With his permission, at last spring forth who never suspected before, that is Zamzam water.

Fourth, cultivate discussion and deliberation among fellow members of the family which raised the understanding and good sense. For example, when a dream to sacrifice his son (which he believed as the commands of Allah SWT), Prophet Ibrahim in their implementation remains a dialogue and communicate with their children. Then, they implement the provisions of Allah is with full consciousness and sincerity.

Fifth, build a spirit of sacrifice to foster a love to God and love of fellow human beings. Here's some of the major pillars in building a strong family that has been exemplified by the family of the Prophet Abraham to be a lesson and a good example of the believers who want a happy and prosperous families on the basis of submission and obedience to Allah SWT.

Allah says in Surah al-Mumtahanah [60]: 4, "Indeed there has been a good role model for you in Abraham and those who shared with him." And Allaah knows best.

Source:www.republika.co.id
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Makkah City is located in a valley so that the Kaaba can be seen from the surrounding hills. Now with the Mecca-altitude Royal Clock Tower which was built 601 yards from behind the hill, helping pilgrims to Mecca watch from a distance. Skyscraper buildings that seemed crammed in around the Grand Mosque was reminiscent of the condition of buildings in Manhattan, the United States. Jamaat may be amazed at the rapid construction of these buildings. In fact it can be, pilgrims also were puzzled to find the way to the Grand Mosque and when returning to the inn. Moreover, around the Grand Mosque there are so many five star hotels are equipped with various malls. The buildings were also filled with a variety of billboards. ''The buildings of this skyscraper should not be built near the Grand Mosque,''said the pilgrims from Pakistan, Aqil Malik. ''This makes it difficult to reach the Grand Mosque. In the vicinity of the Grand Mosque should be left open space.''

The area around the Grand Mosque has been expanded with a large-scale development plans to increase the capacity of mosques. Haram now and the future will be far different from the conditions in the past. Fifty years ago for example, seems so simple Kaaba surrounded by old buildings.

Grand Mosque plan will be further developed so that one day be able to accommodate about 700 thousand pilgrims spread over several floors. Plaza or open space around the Grand Mosque will also be expanded. Development Haram expansion seemed under way after a decline in orders from King Abdullah.

Source:www.republika.co.id
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The first opinion: we fasted together with Saudi Arabia and also for days with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Second opinion: we fasted together our country to live and also spend a holiday together with our country. Third Opinion: Our country fasted Ramadan with our stay, but for fasting Arofah we follow Saudi Arabia. We expect a satisfactory answer regarding the fasting month of Ramadan and fasting Arofah Day. We give little information that five years, we never in conjunction with Saudi Arabia when implementing the fast of Ramadan and fasting Arofah. Normally we in this country start fasting Ramadan and fasting Arofah after the announcement in Saudi Arabia. We used to be late a day or two from the Saudis, even sometimes up to three days. May God always keep you yourselves.

Answer:

Please note that scholars disagree on the issue ru'yah moon in a country where the Muslims have seen the moon while another country has not seen it. Are the Muslims in other countries also follow the new moon or new moon is only valid for the country and the country saw that one matholi '(where the rising moon) with him.

Stronger opinion is back on ru'yah moon in the local country. If the two countries is still one matholi 'moon, they are considered equal in the moon. If in one country is one matholi 'had already seen the new moon, the neighboring country hilalnya apply to earlier. As if the difference matholi 'moon, then every country has laws respectively. This is an opinion chosen by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullah. This opinion is more consistent with the Qur'an, Sunnah and qiyas.

Theorem of the Qur'an is the word of Allah, the Exalted,

فمن شهد منكم الشهر فليصمه ومن كان مريضا أو على سفر فعدة من أيام أخر يريد الله بكم اليسر ولا يريد بكم العسر ولتكملوا العدة ولتكبروا الله على ما هداكم ولعلكم تشكرون

"Therefore, whosoever of you is present (in the land where he lived) in the month, then let him fast the month, and any one is ill or on a journey (and then he broke), then (wajiblah for him to fast), as many days had left it, on the other days. Allah intends for you ease, and does not want hardship for you. And ye shall suffice number is and let you glorify God for His guidance given to you, that ye may be grateful. "(Surat al-Baqara: 185). Understood from this verse, he who does not see the moon, so he is not required to fast.

As for the argument from the Sunnah, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam,

إذا رأيتموه فصوموا, وإذا رأيتموه فأفطروا

"If you look at the new moon of Ramadan, then fasted. If you see the new moon of Shawwal, the days and rayalah. "(Narrated by Bukhari no. 1900 and Muslim no. 1080). Understood from this hadith, anyone who did not witness the new moon, so he did not have the obligation of fasting and have no obligation to spend a holiday.

As for the argument qiyas, began fasting and breaking the fast is only valid for the country itself and the country that same sun rises and sets. It is agreed. You can see that the Muslims in the country east-Asia-ie, start fasting before the Muslims residing in the western world, as well as open his fast. This happens because the dawn in the land rises in advance of the west country. Similarly, the first sunset in the east than the west country. If the differences can occur everyday in terms of start fasting and breaking fast, so will this happen in the case began fasting at the beginning of the month and begin to spend a holiday. Both make no difference.

However, that need to be a concern, if the two countries that are similar in matholi '(where the rising moon), was decided by the respective authorities to start the fast or feast days and then must follow the decision of authorities in each country. This problem is a problem khilafiyah, so the decision which will resolve disputes penguasalah existing.

Based on this, you should fast and feast days and holidays as fasting and conducted in your country (ie following the decision of the ruler). Though they start fasting or fasting is different from any other country. Similarly, in the fasting Arofah problem, you should follow the determination of the new moon in your country.

[Majmu 'Fataawa wa-il Rosa Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih Al' Uthaymeen, 19/24-25, Darul Wathon - Darul Tsaroya, last printed, 1413 H]

Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih Al 'Uthaymeen also received the following question, "If there are differences regarding the determination day due to the difference Arofah mathla' (where the rising moon) moon due to the influence of regional differences. Are we fast follow ru'yah country we lived or follow ru'yah Haromain (two holy land)? "

Rahimahullah Shaykh replied, "This problem is an instance of scholars dispute whether the new moon for the entire world was a different or follow different regions. The correct, that the new moon following the differences in different regions.

For example, in Makkah seen the new moon, so today is the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah. While in other countries, Dhu al-Hijjah moon has been seen the day before ru'yah Makkah so that the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah in Makkah is the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the country. It should not be for the people of that State to fast Arofah on this day because today is the day of Adha Iedul in their country.

Similarly, if the emergence of Dhu al-Hijjah moon in that country one day after ru'yah in Makkah so that the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah in Makkah was only the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the country. Residents country Arofah fasting on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah according to them even if the day coincides with the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah in Mecca.

This is the most powerful opinion in this matter because the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "If you let you guys see the new moon of Ramadan fasting, and if you look at the new moon of Shawwal should you spend a highway" (Bukhari and Muslim).

The people who in their area the new moon is not visible then they do not include people who see it.

As human beings agree that the rise of the dawn and sunset that followed their respective regions, as well as the determination determination that month daily time (ie follow the their respective regions). "

[Majmu 'Fataawa wa-il Rosa Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih Al' Uthaymeen, 20/47-48, Darul Wathon - Darul Tsaroya, last printed, 1413 H]

Thus the explanation of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih Al 'Uthaymeen rahimahullah. In essence, we are still fasting Ramadan, and fasting for days Arofah highway in accordance with the determination of the new moon in this country, although the later is different from fasting, the feast or standing at Saudi Arabia.

Only God who gave taufik.

Author: Muhammad Abduh Tuasikal

Source:www.muslim.or.id

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By Ali Khalil - MECCA

The annual hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, predates the faith by centuries, tracing its roots to the biblical patriarch Abraham -- revered by Muslims as a prophet and the first preacher of their religion.

And as some 2.5 million people gather in this western Saudi city for the hajj, a must for every capable Muslim at least once in a lifetime, they begin rituals said to follow millennium-old instructions by Abraham, or Ibrahim, as he is known in the Muslim holy book, the Koran.

Muslims believe that a "sacred house" was built in Mecca by Adam, the father of the human race, in the same spot where Ibrahim and his son Ishmael are said to have rebuilt it and where the Kaaba, a massive cubic structure, lies. The Koranic version of the story is that Ibrahim travelled with Hagar, the mother of their infant son Ishmael, to a barren valley and left both of them near the sacred house with some food and water that soon ran out. Hagar's desperate runs between the two hills of Safa and Marwa in search of sustenance have been imitated by pilgrims ever since the prophet of Islam, Mohammed, ordered his followers to perform the hajj to Mecca.

Islamic tradition says God answered Ibrahim's prayer to look after his family by sending the angel Gabriel, who scratched the dry soil under the infant, triggering a sudden and continuous gush of water.

The resulting Zamzam Well is believed to have brought life into the area, bringing nomad Arabs to settle around it. Ishmael learned Arabic and married into Arab tribes. For Muslims, Mohammed is an offspring of Ishmael.

Ibrahim is said to have reconstructed the house of worship with Ishmael on returning to the area years later. The Koran speaks of Ibrahim as building the structure as the first house for worship on earth.

But the Kaaba was demolished and rebuilt several times, the last believed to be after floods in 1630.

As an indication of worshipping activities at the "sacred house," the Koran cites God's order to Ibrahim to rid the house of idols and purify it for pilgrims. He was also ordered to call people to hajj.

Mohammed did the same in 630 AD when he conquered Mecca with his followers as he entered the Kaaba and destroyed all idols placed there by Arabs to represent their pagan gods.

Islamic tradition says the meaning of Ibrahim's hajj was distorted over time, with the belief in one God that he preached losing ground to polytheism, and Arabs worshipping idols as proxies to God and filling the Kaaba with them.

It also says that, over the centuries before Islam, it turned into something resembling a fun-fair and lost its spirituality, with some pilgrims replacing prayers with clapping and whistling, and others even circling the Kaaba naked.

And just as Muslim pilgrims stand on Mount Arafat at the peak of every hajj, pre-Islamic pilgrims used to spend a day in the barren plain outside Mecca and return to the city circumambulating the Kaaba.

Arab tribes of Mecca, notably Mohammed's Quraysh, used the hajj to bring prosperity to their town, and the hajj became an occasion for several festivities, including poetry competitions. The Kaaba walls for a long time were used as notice boards for the most famous pre-Islamic Arab poems.

Pre-Islamic Arabs also used to perform the ritual of slaughtering animals as a sacrifice to God. That tradition is carried on by Muslims on their most important feast, the Eid al-Adha or feast of sacrifice, the day after pilgrims descend from Mount Arafat.

It is in honour of Ibrahim's obedience to God in preparing to sacrifice Ishmael, which God forestalled by providing the patriarch at the last minute with a lamb to kill instead. That contradicts the Old Testament's story of Abraham, which says he was about to slay his other son, Isaac.

But Islam stopped the Arab practice of splattering the blood of the sacrificed animals on the walls of the Kaaba.

Mohammed ordered his followers to perform the hajj on the ninth year of the Islamic calendar, the first year after he conquered Mecca.

Source:islamonline.com
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