Hello, thank you for visiting Huda TV. How may I help you?
Saqib
Hello! Can you tell me the difference between hajj and umrah?
Chrissie
Thank you for the question. I’ll be glad to help
Saqib
Hajj is also known as the Major Pilgrimage. It is a Pillar of Islam, and obligatory once in a lifetime. Umrah is known as the Minor Hajj. It is not a Pillar of islam, and a person can perform it any time of the year. Umrah also is shorter and has less steps.
Saqib
Are there rules for Umrah?
Chrissie
Yes. Umrah is like the beginning half of Hajj. There is Ihram. 7 circuits around the Kabah. 2 Units of Prayer. Then travel 7 times between Safa/Marwa mountains. and finally cut some hair to finish.
Saqib
But it is limited to Muslims. The holy cities are limited anyway, right?
Chrissie
Yes, Makkah is limited to Muslims only. The Hajj imitates the steps taken by Prophet Abraham with his son Ishmael.
Saqib
OK. A gentleman asked me to accompany him, so he expects me to convert first. What about cutting hair?
Chrissie
There is no force in Religion (Quran Chapter 2, verse 256) So a person who is not willing to be a Muslim, there is no point is faking or pretending to be Muslim to make another person happy.
Saqib
Everything has to be a persons own choice.
Saqib
ok
Chrissie
And God will ask us about all our choices in life, on the Day of Judgement (after our death when we are all brought back to life).
Saqib
As for the Hair, then women snip it (about size of part of a finger).
Saqib
OK, that’s not too much.
Chrissie
As for men, they can shorten, but it is better for them to shave the hair of the head. This is because we are told that for every single hair strand that is cut, a sin is wiped away.
Saqib
Oh that’s a nice idea.
Chrissie
It is only the hair cutting at either Hajj or Umrah… not other times.
Saqib
Muslimas let it grow? I mean: without cutting it ever?
Chrissie
Sorry I don’t understand?
Saqib
When there is no hair cutting except for hajj and umrah, are women required to just let their hair grow?
Chrissie
Not exactly. They can if they want to
Saqib
ok
Chrissie
But what they are told is that their hair must be longer than their shoulder length. And men can not have their hair longer than their shoulder length.
Saqib
This is to keep distinction between men and women (we can not copy each other)
Saqib
Oh I see. Yes, and they need to grow a beard, and wear no gold or silk
Chrissie
The beard is a practice of the Prophets of God. Adam, Noah had a beard Abraham had a beard, Prophet Moses and Aron had beard.
Saqib
King Solomon and King David had beards. Jesus had a bread.
Saqib
Oh I love long beards
Chrissie
And the Prophet Muhammad had a beard. So it is highly emphasized practice for men.
Saqib
Well, thank you for the information
Chrissie
The only ruling with beard is that is had to be at least the size of a fist. So the man does NOT need to have a long beard. Fist is a closed hand
Saqib
OK, that’s a good size
Chrissie
However can i ask you why you are not a Muslim? if you dont mind me asking
Saqib
No I don’t . I am Christian already
Chrissie
We believe in Jesus
Saqib
In jesus?
Chrissie
Yes. He is mentioned many places in the Quran And so is his mother.
Saqib
But where is the difference? I know: He’s not son of god, right?
Chrissie
Full Chapter Mary (Chapter 19 of the Quran is named after a Woman)
Saqib
Mary? The Mother of Jesus?
Chrissie
Yes
Saqib
I didn’t know that!
Chrissie
Chapter Mary Mother of Jesus is a Chapter of the Quran
Saqib
So what makes the difference?
Chrissie
And Chapter 3 of the Quran is named after the Grandfather of Jesus
Saqib
The difference is that we are told by the God of Adam and Noah and Abraham, that changes were made to the religion of Jesus
Saqib
Changes by the Christian church?
Chrissie
These were additions and deletions that Jesus is free and innocent from. But people changed words in the Bible.
Saqib
I heard about that. One reason why I don’t attend church service
Chrissie
There could be a number of reasons… but we are told by God that Jesus never said he was God
Saqib
Jesus never said that he was son of God. Jesus never said “worship me”
Saqib
Really?
Chrissie
That we are told that we must follow the religion of Abraham and Noah and Adam. That Jesus called to this way
Saqib
Well, it seems I have to study islam a bit. I used to be a very religious girl, but nowadays there are mostly atheists around me. Which doesn’t feel good. But I am not in to tell you the story of my lifetime
Chrissie
OK, I have the answer to my question. And you just raised some interest in me. I am looking forward to discuss Islam with you in the future.
Chrissie
We believe that the 1st religion was that of Prophet Adam And we was created withOUT a mother or father. This is in the Bible.
Saqib
yes
Chrissie
But does this also make Adam a “son of God” because he had no father?
Saqib
no
Chrissie
I agree with you. So what makes Jesus the “son of God” ?
Saqib
I absolutely don’t know
Chrissie
It is said that he was born miraculously withOUT a father (to a Virgin Mary). So SOMEBODY said that the father must be God.
Saqib
Ok, who said tat?
Chrissie
But the same God tells us in the Quran tells us that this is not correct.
Saqib
That sounds sensible
Chrissie
That is an example of the change in the Bible
Saqib
I see. But I never believed literally in the bible
Chrissie
The Quran tells us about the original true call of Jesus and all the other true Prophets of God.
Saqib
Ok. So it’s a new bible, or maybe better: The real bible This sounds good to me.
Chrissie
What I find difficult in Islam is the role of women They have to obey their husbands, wear headscarfs
Chrissie
We believe that it is a completion of the Torah (Old Testament) and the Gospel (New Testament)… Revealed by the SAME GOD.
Saqib
And in it, God Promised that He will protect this last Book from corruption or change. And God said, if there is a book that claims to be from God… If it is not from God, then you will find many contradictions within it.
Saqib
If Quran is from God, then there will be no contradictions within it.
Saqib
I mean: Girls like to dress sharp, to draw attention. But that isn’t acceptet in Islam
Chrissie
Girls should be dressed up more like Mary (mother of Jesus).
Saqib
ok
Chrissie
And Muslim men in the Middle East dress up like Joseph.
Saqib
Alright
Chrissie
Look at a Christian Nativity play at Christmas…
Saqib
yes
Chrissie
You will see Christians dressed up in Muslim clothes.