Hajj (Pilgrimage to the House of Allah in Makkah) If One is Able (2/3)

Has Economic Benefits:

Aside from the above eternal benefits, by performing Hajj Muslims also enjoy worldly benefits. Hajj increases pilgrims’ economic well-being. Performance of Hajj does not prevent anyone to do legal business.  Those who engage in buying and selling can do it after the performance of prayers and Hajj rituals. Our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) says:

“It is no crime in you if you seek of the bounty of your Rabb (during pilgrimage).  Then when you pour down from (Mount) Arafat, celebrate the praises of Allah at the Sacred Monument, and celebrate His praises as He has directed you even though before this you went astray.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:198)

“But seek the wealth which Allah has bestowed on you, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget your portion in this World. But do good, as Allah has been good to you, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land; for Allah loves not those who do mischief.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Qasas, 28:77)

“And when the prayer is finished, then may you disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah: and remember Allah frequently that you may prosper.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Jumu'ah, 62:10)

Teaches Right Conduct:

Hajj, therefore, gives us Muslims the opportunity to enjoy a well-balanced life. We also attain success in this world by developing our personality for Hajj trains us to develop right conduct. Allah the Exalted has enjoined upon us to take right conduct as the best provision in our Hajj journey:

 “For Hajj are the months well known. If anyone undertakes that duty therein, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it and take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear Me, O you who are wise.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:197)

Muslims who go to Hajj are expected to observe discipline, patience, kindness, tolerance and above all, peace.  They ought to observe peace not only among themselves but also with animals and other living creatures including insects. This means that they are expected to control anger. Controlling anger is a virtue which we Muslims are supposed to develop even if we are not on pilgrimage:

Abu Hurayra narrated that a man said to the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) “Advise me!” The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Do not be angry and furious.” The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said in each case, “Do not be angry and furious.” (Reported by Bukhari 8/ 137)

Abu Huraira narrated Allah’s Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by  his strength,  but the strong  is the  one who  controls himself while in anger.” (Reported by Bukhari 8/ 135 and Muslim 4/6311-6314)

Increases Iman (Faith):

Furthermore performance of Hajj increases our Iman (Faith).  It makes us realize Allah’s justice and equal treatment of all people who believe in Him. Muslims from different parts of the world, irrespective of race and socio-economic status in life wear the same prescribed simple clothing, utter the same supplications and perform the same religious rituals during Hajj for the same purpose of pleasing the Creator. Muslims who go to Hajj experience the largest congregation of different nations, which no other peoples from other religions have ever experienced. When we see people from different countries doing all the rituals of Hajj for Allah’s pleasure, we witness the universality of Islam. Indeed, Islam is for all mankind and that Allah Alone is the God of all mankind.

When we join the world’s largest annual congregation, which is Hajj, we actually improve our socio-cultural perspectives. Hajj gives opportunity for us to travel and meet our fellow Muslims from various countries to know and help one another. This shows the universal brotherhood of all Muslims; and hence the universality of Islam. Islam teaches us to promote brotherhood and righteousness among ourselves:

 “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other) Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Hujuraat, 49: 13)

 “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which you have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:177)

 “...Help one another in righteousness and piety but help not one another in sin and rancor. Fear Allah or Allah is strict in punishment.” (Qur’an, Suarh Al-Ma'idah, 5:2)

Improves Physical Fitness:

In addition, Hajj trains us to be physically strong – a treat that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) strongly encourages saying that “A strong Muslim is better than a weak Muslim.” The seven times circumambulation around the Ka’bah, the walking and running (back and forth) from Safa to Marwa, the travel from Makkah Haram mosque to Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, the throwing of stones, and of course the daily prayers, all these give us opportunities to be physically strong. We have to be strong, to prepare ourselves to carry out the task of fighting Satan and his allies and those who follow their footsteps. Allah reminds us that Satan is (dreadful) evil (Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa’, 4:38).  He makes it clear that Satan is our enemy, an enemy avowed (Qur’an, Surah Ya-Sin, 36:60) who deceives (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:48) and suggests vanity (Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj, 22:52-53). Satan descends on every lying, wicked person (Qur’an, Surah Ash-Shu'ara', 26:221-222). He commands us to do what is evil and shameful (Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:168-169). He only invites his adherents that they may become companions of the Blazing Fire. Therefore, we have to treat him as our enemy (Qur’an, Surah Al-Fatir, 35: 6).

We have to be strong so that we can worship Allah to the best of our abilities in the best manner so we earn His tremendous Rewards. We have to be strong in enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong so that we will be among those who in the sight of Allah are the best among mankind:

“You (Muslims) are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind. You enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allah...” (Qur’an, Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:110)

Develops Mental and Spiritual Consciousness:

Coupled with physical strength is for us to be mentally alert and spiritually conscious because as Muslims we are obliged to dedicate everything to Allah. For everything that we do we have to have the pure intention of dedicating it to Allah the Almighty:

 “And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being True (in Faith); establish regular prayer; and to give Zakat. And that is the Religion Right and Straight.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Baiyyinah, 98:5)

“Say: ‘Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Rabb (Only Cherisher and Sustainer) of the Worlds.’”(Qur’an, Surah Al- An'am, 6:162)

‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) said: I heard Allah’s Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended....” (Reported by Bukhari, 1/1 and Muslim 3/ 4692)

For our Hajj to be accepted we must first and foremost purify our intention to do it for the pleasure of Allah. This we should do sincerely so that we will be among those who will return to our respective homes, Insha Allah (By Allah’s Will), free from all sins as if we are newly born:

Abu Hurairah (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.” (Reported by Bukhari Vol. 2, Hadeeth 596 and Vol 3, Hadeeth 345)

(Continued)