Chapter 7 CONCLUSION
2.4 PRE-HAJJ RITES
2.4.2 HAJJ CLASSES
2.4.2.2 FORMALISED HAJJ CLASSES
Shaakier (Shakir) Gamieldien and had purchased a hajj book which was written by Shaykh Abdullah Gamieldien, the grandfather of Shaykh Faaik Gamieldien.7
from the works of Shaykh IsmavIl Hanlf (Edwards), Shaykh Abu Bakr Najjaar (Najjar), Shaykh Abduraghiem fAbd al-Rahlm) Sallie and Shaykh Armien Fakier (FaqTr). The imam teaches approximately 100 students. Currently, the hajj classes commence in April and end in August with a "farewell party" for the prospective hajjis.
In the early 1960s, the late Shaykh Muhammad Ganief Booley had started teaching//<?/z classes on Tuesday evenings at the Dar al-Falah Study Group, at the Schotcheskloof Hall in Bo-Kaap. After completing his hajj in 1968, he started conducting hajj classes on a Thursday evening at the same premises (now known as the Boorhaanul Hall). He also taught hajj classes at Masjidus Salaam (Masjid al-Saldm) in St. Athans Road, situated in Athlone as well as at the Grassy Park masjid for some time.7 Many of his past students that I have interviewed mentioned that Shaykh Muhammad Ganief Booley was very concerned about the hajji's behaviour after they returned from Mecca. He believed that hajjis should demonstrate the qualities they had derived from the hajj in their daily lives and to maintain their spirituality after they had performed their hajj. If not, then they had wasted their time and money. 77
According to Shaykh Muhammad Ganief Booley's son Yusuf:
"Approximately 75 people attended my father's hajj classes, which was a lot during this period. My father had a huge collection of classical Arabic books on the subject of hajj, which he used to teach the people. He taught his students everything pertaining to hajj. He was quite an outspoken person and eventually drew large crowds after he had started a travel agent business".78
Imam Abubakr Simons and Imam Ismail Johnstone (also known as Imam konfyt), who had been students of the late Shaykh Ismail Hanif (Edwards), and Imam Ebrahim Davids (Dawud) (better known as Sep or Boeta Hiema), who was a student of the late Imam Muhammad Haron (Harun), who in turn was also a student of Shaykh Ismail Hanif held hajj classes in the late 1960s and early 1970s respectively. Imam Abubakr Simons held his hajj classes at the Khalil al-Rahmdn Masjid where he was the officiating imam.
Ghalib, his son, said that the classes were well attended because his hajj lectures were conducted in such a manner that every person who attended these classes could understand his lessons which were conducted in the Afrikaans language. He basically concentrated on the spiritual dimension of hajj. He extracted sections from the works of his mentor, Shaykh Ismavil Hanif (Edwards), and prepared his own notes as well.
Imam Ismavil Johnstone was also very active in serving the Surrey Estate community. In 1964, after he was officially appointed as a permanent imam at the Dor al-Isldm Masjid in Surrey Estate, he started teaching basic Islamic courses to beginners at his residence in Sherwood Park. His ustddh (teacher), Shaykh IsmaMl Hanif (Edwards), had influenced him in many ways, such as conducting hajj classes at his residence where students could feel comfortable and be part of the family. However, after some time, he moved his students to the masjid where many more people began to attend his classes. The imam used to emphasise the rituals as well as the invocations connected to hajj to his students.
In 1975 he wrote books on topics that were previously covered by his ustddh as well, such as "Die Gajj en die Oemroh" (The Hajj and'Umrah (lesser hajj), part one and two.
This was written in Afrikaans and in the Arabic script, which he had used as a guide for his students. These books are still utilised by many Islamic scholars in Cape Town
Imam Ismail Johnstone's students included Irfaan Abrahams (Irfan), Ebrahim Abrahams, Abu Bakr Gabriels (JibrivTl), Abdurahman Ariefdien fAnf al-Dln), who are all prominent shaykhs today and are currently also teaching hajj rites to their respective communities. However, in the 1960s, Imam Ebrahim Davids, had also made invaluable contributions as a hajj teacher. The late Imam Haron, as a political figure, impacted on Imam Ebrahim David's way of thinking. This is evident from the method Imam Ebrahim Davids used to teach hajj to his students.
Sharifa Davids, wife of the late Imam Ebrahim Davids, informed me that in 1963 when she met Ebrahim, he was already teaching Islamic Studies at Tafalah Primary School, situated in Draper Street, Claremont. When she married him in 1965, he had taught hajj classes in Devon Street, Lansdowne on a Wednesday evening, and at the Garlandale Madrasah on a Tuesday evening. Special hajj classes were also conducted for professional people such as doctors and teachers.
Photo: Imam Ismail Davids 'Sep' Davids taught hajj from a young age
At the end of every hajj module, Imam Ebrahim Davids used to organise "farewell gatherings" to the prospective hajjis. At this function Islamic scholars would address the hajjis on matters concerning their journey. He never had less than 150 hajj students at a time. Though, he had been conducting hajj classes since 1965, he only had the opportunity to perform hajj in 1980. This was due to the fact that government authorities, would not grant him a passport because of his political opposition to "Apartheid". In
1986 Imam Ebrahim Davids was invited to the "International Hajj Conference" which was held in Iran. He was known during this period as the "political imam". He was pro- Iran, because he believed that Imam Khumaini stood for "adl (justice). He also asserted that amongst the people in Cape Town, there was no change of attitude concerning the political condition. His khutab (sermons) on Fridays especially appealed to the youth.
It is perhaps necessary to mention here that Imam Ebrahim Davids and Imam Achmat Cassiem (Qasim), were amongst the few Islamic scholars in Cape Town who publicly supported Imam Khumaini's stand for justice in 1979. In fact today, many scholars brand Imam Achmat Cassiem as a Shivite. Nevertheless, Imam Ebrahim Davids' political views impacted on his teaching. He made extensive use of Dr vAli Shariati's book "Hajj and Freedom". The hajj text/guide that he had prepared for his students was mainly extracted from Dr vAlI Shariati's book. He used to quote the following passage from Shariati to his students:
"Hajj is the direct antithesis of aimlessness. It is the rebel against a damned fate guided by evil forces. The fulfilment of Hajj will enable you to escape from the complex network of puzzles. This revolutionary act will reveal to you the clear horizon and free way to migration to eternity towards the Almighty Allah". 82
From 1994 until 1996, Imam Ebrahim Davids had regular hajj programmes on Radio 786. Various aspects of hajj were discussed such as the procedure when leaving one's residence, arrival in Mecca, and the rituals associated with hajj as well as returning to one's residence. Imam Ebrahim Davids taught hajj until December 1997, and after a short illness he died in early 1998.83
Presently, many Islamic scholars in the Western Cape are conducting hajj classes at various masjids to which they are affiliated. Others are teaching hajj rites at schools and in community halls in order to accommodate large numbers of students. It is my observation that since the establishment of the formalised hajj classes, the shaykhs made no attempt to introduce a unified curriculum on hajj. It is evident that many shaykhs have adopted the texts and teaching methodology of their teachers. Consequently, what we have today is a diversity of texts and teaching. This confuses the hajjis when they observe diverse rituals being practised during hajj.
In quite a few cases we have Islamic scholars who are conducting hajj classes and are also directly involved with hajj agents/operators. They would recommend their students to the relevant travel agents or hajj operators. We will now look at some of these Islamic scholars who have been active in not only teaching hajj, but who have been accompanying hajjis to Mecca and serving the hajjis as spiritual guides on behalf of the hajj operators.
Imam Abdullah Gameeldien joined the Sorayah Hajj Jama^ah in 1983.84 Currently, his hajj classes start immediately after hajj and end before Ramadan. He utilises the books of Shaykh Armien Fakier, Imam Ismavil Johnstone as well as his own compilation of notes.
He remembers that in 1984, he had approximately 150 students and in 1985 approximately 240. However, from 1994 the attendance had dropped considerably. This, he asserts is because of the amount of hajj operators that have emerged since then. In 2004 only 85 students were attending his hajj classes. His classes are conducted at the residence of Armien Davids who is the chairman of the Sorayah Hajj Jama ah.
According to Imam Abdullah Gameeldien, it is convenient and easier to handle the hajjis if they are in contact with the jamaTah (group/congregation). After finishing the hajj
classes, a meeting is held with the hajjis concerning other matters relevant to hajj such as travel and accommodation arrangements. "
Photo: M H Ebrahiin Imam Abdullah Gameeldien
The majority of Islamic scholars who have been teaching hajj in Cape Town, are not affiliated to any hajj operators. However, when they decide to perform the hajj, they would assist their students by accompanying them to Mecca and they would also act as spiritual guides on their students' behalf such as in the case of Imam Fareed Manie.
Photo: M H Ebrahim Imam Fareed Manie
Imam Fareed Manie has been conducting hajj classes since 1969 at his residence on Stone Street, District Six. He started teaching two students only and in 1970 he had 20 students. Thereafter, when the "Group Areas Act"86 came into effect in 1970, he moved to Hanover Park where he taught hajj until 1979. From 1979 until 1984 he conducted classes once again at his residence, and since 1985 he has been teaching approximately 50 students at Masjid al-Nur, which is situated in Parkwood Estate, Grassy Park. Imam
Fareed Manie has been using hajj books and notes that were issued to him when he was a student of the late Shaykh Mahdi Hendricks who was imam of the al-Zawiyah Masjid. In 1995, Imam Fareed Manie wrote a 134 page hajj book in Afrikaans, entitled 'Die Boek oor die Gaf (The Book concerning the Pilgrimage) which was published the same year.
In teaching the performance of hajj, he emphasises the acts that aicfard (obligatory) and that which are sunnah (optional), but not specifically the ad^iyah (supplications
87
/invocations) relevant to the hajj.
Professor Yusuf Da Costa attended the hajj classes conducted by his brother, Sulayman Da Costa88 on Dorp Street, Bo-Kaap before he performed his first hajj in 1969.
Thereafter, he attended the hajj classes of Shaykh Mahdi Hendricks for two years at his residence before he and his wife performed their second hajj in 1977. Professor Yusuf Da Costa said that:
"The first year I went to take notes and the second year I went to check my notes.
Then at the end of the second year when I was leaving, he told me as I greeted him: "Ek gee vir you die ijdza (certificate I permission) om mense hajj te leer". I did not realize the full impact of his words to me at the time - that he has given me permission to teach people the hajj. And as part of my preparation to leave for our hajj about a year after that, there were some neighbours of mine up the road, Fuad Booley and his wife Faridah and my sister Wardiyah, as well as my wife, Wardiyah. So we formed a little group and I revised the hajj with them. So my school started with that little group in my kitchen in fact".89
Photto: M H Ebrahim Professor Yusuf Da Costa
Professor Yusuf Da Costa used the notes, which he had copied when he was in Shaykh Mahdi's class and gave it to his students. When he returned from Mecca he decided to start a hajj class at his residence. He advertised his intention in the area (of Maitland) as well as in the masjid of the area. People sat in the lounge, the passage-way as well as in the kitchen. After the lectures were completed, tea, cake and samosas were served; this was also a social event. The class had grown to approximately 60 people at the time.
When the class became bigger, Professor Yusuf Da Costa moved his class to the Kensington mosque where approximately 100 people attended his hajj classes. After teaching hajj rites for four years at the Kensington mosque, he assisted Imam Abdullah of the Qulub al-Mu'minun Masjid situated in Goodwood, with the weekly Friday Khutab (sermons). He then started a hajj class at this masjid as well as the Habibiyah Masjid in Rylands Estate. By this time, the number of his students had increased to 500. There were no fees attached to these classes and notes were also issued free. According to Professor Yusuf Da Costa:
"It is a great honour to teach people and also hujjdj being important people and I wanted to make a contribution to their journey. I think if I had to charge them it would have degraded the class. I felt that this was such an important task that I was performing, that to have put a monetary value to that job, I think would have degraded the importance of that class. I also did not want people to stay away from the class if they could not pay"?0
Professor Yusuf Da Costa did not only issue notes to his students concerning the procedure of hajj, but would also spend time in teaching all the nafl salah (optional prayer) that the hajjis can perform during the day as well as adhkar (praises of Allah) while in Mecca. This he has extracted from the works of Imam Ghazali (d.505 AH /1111 CE), Shaykh Amien Fakier's Al-Moefiedah (Al-Mufidah) and also notes taken from his late brother Abdurahman Da Costa who was a highly spiritual figure. This he compiled into a little booklet, which he also issued to his students. His classes are divided into three sections namely the teaching of the nafl salah and adhkar, then the fiqh and finally all the students will engage in adhkar and Professor Yusuf Da Costa would end the class with a
i v - > 9 1
du a .
Shaykh Ebrahim Abrahams who started hajj classes at the Eastridge Mosque in 1992, and is currently continuing with his teaching at Madrasah al-Isldmiah on 4th Avenue, Sherwood Park, has established an Islamic institution known as "Al-Uthmaan leanatut Talibeen (sic)". His hajj class is well advertised in many masjids at the Cape. He uses eye-catching headings on his posters such as, "learn hajj with a difference".
Photo: M H Ebrahim Shaykh Ebrahim Abrahams
Of the approximately 50 students that have been attending Shaykh Ebrahim's hajj classes annually, for the past two years, the majority are males. The classes are held once a week and commence at 7.00 p.m. and end at 9.30 p.m.92 Shaykh Ebrahim uses his own compiled notes extracted from various classical sources. The students make notes while
Shaykh Ebrahim lectures. The students receive the complete set of notes from Shaykh Ebrahim, only after they had completed a module. An overhead projector is used. In his lectures, he emphasises the Qur'anic perspective on hajj. He teaches six modules. The first module deals with the conscious of Allah and the relation of hajj with the other arkan (pillars of Islam). The second module explores references to the hajj in the sacred Qur'an. The third module focuses on hajj in the time of the Prophetic tradition; module number four, discusses the fiqh of hajj. The history of hajj and akhlaq (behaviour) of the hajji are covered in the remainder of the modules.
There are four approaches to these modules, which are transmission, workshop, projects and excursion.93 Transmission refers to the actual lectures given by Shaykh Ebrahim to his students. According to Shaykh Ebrahim, having workshops give the students the opportunity to interact with one another and with himself. In terms of projects, students are required to submit assignments. As for excursions, the students (prospective hajjis) are expected to demonstrate the hajj by physically participating in excursions usually about 40 kilometers from central Cape Town. For the spiritual benefits and experience, the students also spend a few hours at the masjid that is based in Simonstown.94
"Abdul Gamiet Jacobs fAbd al-Hamid Yaqub), better known as 'Boeta Dollie' of Bridgetown, started to teach the hajj in 1990. Before he had performed his first hajj,
N Abdul Gamiet was a student of the late Imam Abu Bakr Simons, Shaykh Hanlf Booley and Imam Fareed Manie. When he arrived from Mecca in 1984 many people came to visit him at his residence. He impressed his visitors when he narrated his experience of the hajj to them. Subsequently, Abu al-Razaq, an employee of The South African National Zakah Fund, suggested that he should start a hajj class. 'Boeta Dollie' approached his 'ustddh, Imam Abu Bakr Simons for his approval and blessing.
Photo: M H Ebrahim
" Abdul Gamiet Jacobs
Currently, he is the only Islamic scholar who has been teaching hajj to more than a 1000 people every week at various centres in the Cape. In the very first year when Boeta DoUie started teaching the hajj, he had 300 students who attended his classes at Bridgetown Welfare Community Centre. In 1991 approximately 500 students attended his classes at the Tawffq Ma 'ruf Islamic Centre. By 1992 he moved to the Lentegeur Civic Centre where he taught 1000 students. Then people of Bonteheuwel also approached him to begin classes at the Bonteheuwel Civic Centre where he has approximately 700 students.
Every Sunday morning he travels to Bo-Kaap where he teaches adults at the ShafVi Masjid. 'Boeta Dollie' uses his own hajj kitab (book) to teach students which he had extracted from his notes that were issued to him when he was a student. At the end of each session, a farewell is given to the students. In 1996 as well as in the year 2000, 'Boeta Dollie' voluntarily accompanied quite a number of his students to Mecca. When I asked him why so many people attend his hajj classes every week from Mondays to Thursdays as well as on Sundays, he aptly replied:
"A person must teach the hajj in the language that a man in the street will be able to understand. I think this has been the key to my success ",95
According to his son Abdul Wahab (vAbd al-Wahhab):
"It is the quality of wisdom he brings out while dealing with people. He is always diplomatic and applies his knowledge to practical situations".96