Hajj (Pilgrimage to the House of Allah in Makkah) If One is Able (1/3)

Hajj (the Pilgrimage to Makkah) is the fifth pillar of Islam. This final pillar of Islam is obligatory, once in a lifetime, upon all sane Muslims, who reach the age of puberty, and are physically and financially able to make the journey:

 “... And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves (i.e. denies Hajj, then he is a disbeliever of Allah), then Allah stands not in need of any of the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinn).” (Qur’an, Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:97)

Benefits of Hajj:

Forgiveness of Sins:

When we perform the Hajj rites properly we attain tremendous rewards. One of which is Allah’s forgiveness of all our past sins. This means our eternal happiness and success in Paradise. In the following authentic Ahadeeth we learn the following very inspiring teachings from the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam),

“He who came to this House (the Ka’bah) (with the intention in performing Hajj) without speaking or committing indecencies, would return (free from sin) as on the day his mother bore him.” (Reported by Muslim, 2/3129)

 “From one ‘Umrah to another is expiation for what is between them and Hajj Mabrur has no reward except Paradise.” (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

Millions of Muslims Worldwide Perform Hajj

Millions of Muslims, men and women from all races/nationalities and walks of life worldwide, perform Hajj in Makkah to earn Allah’s Mercy and tremendous rewards (i.e., peace, prosperity and success).

By Hajj Mabrur it means the Hajj accepted by Allah for being performed perfectly according to the Prophet’s Sunnah with legally earned money avoiding sinful and evil deeds during Hajj.

Eternal Abode in Paradise:

From the above Ahadeeth we learn that the everlasting reward for Hajj is Paradise, a life that is full of peace, happiness and prosperity. This is because in Hajj mabrur, we perform nothing but deeds of righteousness – deeds that deserve Allah’s Reward of Paradise to all righteous Muslims men and women. Our Creator makes this clear to us when He says:

“But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness. We shall soon admit them to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath, to dwell therein forever. Allah’s promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allah’s?” (Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa’, 4:122)

“Whoever works righteousness man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him We will give a new Life, a life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.” (Qur’an, Surah An-Nahl, 16: 97)

Acceptance of Supplications:

Another tremendous reward for performing Hajj is the acceptance of our supplications. If we ask for Allah’s forgiveness, He the Most Forgiving responds to our prayer as narrated in the following Hadeeth:

Abu Hurayrah (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Those who perform the Hajj and those who perform the umrah are people who have come to visit Allah. If they supplicate Him He will respond to them, and if they ask Him for forgiveness He will forgive them.” (Reported by Tirmidhi 2536 and Ibn Majah)

Opportunity for a Well-Balanced Life:

Since our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) listens to the supplications of those who come to perform Hajj, Muslims are enjoined to ask enormous blessings from Allah. The best supplication is to ask for success both in this world and in the hereafter or a well-balanced life. This can be done especially when doing tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’bah) between the Yamani corner and the black stone:

 ‘Abdullah bin As-Sa’ib (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated: “I heard Allah’s Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) say between the two corners, ‘O Allah, bring us a blessing in this world and a blessing in the next and guard us from punishment of Hell.’”(Reported by Abu Dawud 1887)

Abu Hurairah (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Seventy angels have been put in charge of it (i.e. the Yamani corner), so if anyone says, ’O Allah, I ask You for pardon and well-being in this world and the next. Our Rabb, bring us a blessing in this world and a blessing in the next, and guard us from the punishment of Hell’, they will say ‘Ameen.’” (Reported by Tirmidhi 2590 and Ibn Majah)

Muslims are enjoined not to confine their supplications for success in this world alone but most of all in the eternal world. To ask Allah the Most Merciful of the eternal place in Firdaus is an excellent guidance from the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam):

Abu Hurairah (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, offers prayers perfectly and fasts (the month of) Ramadan then it is incumbent upon Allah to admit him into Paradise, whether he emigrates for Allah’s cause or stays in the land where he was born.” They (the companions of the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Should we not inform the people of that?” He said, “There are one-hundred degrees in Paradise which Allah has prepared for those who carry on Jihad in His Cause. The distance between every two degrees is like the distance between the sky and the Earth. So if you ask Allah for anything, ask Him for the Firdaus, for it is the last part of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and at its top there is the Throne of Beneficent, and from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise.” (Reported by Bukhari 9/519)

Serves as Jihad for Women:

For Muslim women, performance of Hajj serves as the opportunity to do the best deed that deserves Allah’s supreme reward. It raises their level to be among the Mujahideen (those who fight in Allah’s cause):

 ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that she said, “O Allah’s Messenger! We consider Jihad as the best deed. Should we not fight in Allah’s cause?” He said, “The best Jihad (for women) is Hajj-mabrur (i.e. Hajj which is done according to the Prophet’s tradition and is accepted by Allah).” (Reported by Bukhari Vol. 4, Hadeeth 43)

 ‘Abdullah Bin Mas’ud narrated: “I asked the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), which deed is the dearest to Allah?” He replied, “To offer salaat (the prayers) at their early fixed times.” I asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) replied, “To be good and dutiful to your parents.” I again asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To participate in jihad (religious fighting) in Allah’s Cause.” (Reported by Bukhari 1/ 505)

Bin Habashi narrated that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was asked which actions were most excellent and replied, “Faith which contains no doubt, jihad which contains no unfaithfulness regarding spoil, and a pilgrimage which is accepted.” He was asked which prayer was most excellent and replied, “Standing long in devotion.” (Reported by Tirmidhi 3833 and Nasa’i)

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