About Haj and the Baweanese

(Jabal Rahmah, the Mount Mercy, at Arafah - Haj 2005
Muslims believe that Prophet Adam a.s. and mother Eve met for the first time at Jabal Rahmah after the expulsion from Heaven)

Haj is a set of religious and devotional rites performed in Makkah that can only be done during the months of Haj. It is compulsory once in a lifetime to all Muslims, male and female who had attained the age of puberty and of sound mind, whose health and means permit to perform it.

(During Wuquf at Arafah -Haj 2005)

Having the means to perform Haj does not only confine to economical means but physical abilities too. Muslims with physical disabilities are not obliged to perform it unless they have the financial means to pay others to carry them. Throughout the pilgrimage trip, Muslims should have financial means, physical abilities, peaceful journey, travelling transportations, as well as the availability of food and water.

(At Jabal Thor -Umrah 1997

The Mount that Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and Abu Bakr r.a. took refuge from their enemies)

To perform Haj is not to worship Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.. Neither it is for worshipping Prophet Abraham a.s., even though some of the rites are in part, in memory of the trials and tribulations of Prophet Abraham a.s., his wife, Siti Hajar and his son, Prophet Ishmael a.s.. Instead, to perform Haj is an act of obedience in submitting to the command of Allah, the Most High. The Qur'aan revealed;

''And Allah has made it wajib for mankind, for those who have the means, to perform the Haj to the House''

(Translation of Suraah Al-Imran 3:39)

''And complete Haj and Umrah as a duty to Allah''

(Translation of Suraah Al-Baqarah, 2:196)

The first Haj of a Muslim is the compulsory Haj, the one that is counted as the fulfillment of the duty to perform it. All the other Haj performances after the first one are voluntary and cannot replace the compulsory Haj. The Haj Mabroor is the Haj that is graced by Almighty Allah's acceptance. It is the kind of Haj that has a lasting effect on the pilgrims who experience a deep spiritual transformation within themselves reconstructing their lives in the path of Allah, the Most High. Indeed Haj has been designed and ordained by Allah, the All-Wise, for Muslims to reform and earn high level spiritual reward.
 

(Haj Jema'ah or Haj Pilgrims in 2005)

Being Muslims, the Baweanese understand very well that Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Most of the Singaporean Baweanese whom I met, were very ambitious, having high hopes to perform Haj. To most of them, their lives will not be completed unless Haj is performed, fulfilling their obligation as the servant of Almighty Allah. Sincerely they strived very hard to save money for Haj pilgrimage package for the sake of Allah, the Most High.

(A Hajah from an older generation of Singaporean Baweanese. 

In the past, Singaporean Baweanese women who previously did not observe Hijab before performing Haj, continued to cover their head as Hajah, after they returned from Makkah.)

 

Even though most of the Singaporean Baweanese in the past did not come from affluent background, working as horse-trainers and drivers, they were given the opportunity to be the special guests of Almighty Allah in Baitullah at Makkah by Allah, the Most High. This is due to the constant supplications and strong faith in Allah, the All-Wise, placing firmly in their hearts the niyah to perform Haj for Almighty Allah's sake.

 

(Granddad Haji Siddik, a Haji from an older generation of the Singaporean Baweanese. 

Generally, the Singaporean Baweanese men of the past, normally put on the white Haji cap after performing Haj)

 

Like any other Muslims, the Baweanese believe that after the performance of Haj, their previous sins are erased and their hearts are purified. They believe that they are clean and pure once the Haj is completed, just like a new born baby without sin.

It was in the culture of most Singaporean Baweanese in the past, to change their names after the Haj pilgrimage. They believed that in doing so, it would help them to reform so as to become better Muslims with fine qualities. They wanted to start anew and believed that by having a new name would help them to have a new beginning of life as good Muslims. Indeed, they were strong Muslims, holding on firmly to their faith.