The Preparation for Hajj

1. Fear (taqwa) Allah

Taqwa is a level of fear where the believer knows Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is aware of all he does, even if concealed from the eyes of fellow men.

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

 “O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared… and die not except as a Muslim (in a state of Islam)” [Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:102]

And the Messenger (Peace be upon him) said “Fear Allah where ever you are” [Reported by Tirmidhi]

Having awareness of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) should cause a person to have piety regardless of where they are and more so whilst on hajj where many actions are prohibited.

2. Study the Rulings (ahkam) related to Hajj

Studying the Islamic rulings related to hajj. This will cause greater awareness and thereby increase ones taqwa. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“Those who truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge.” [Surah Fatir, 35:28]

It will also ensure that a person is not ignorant with regards when to perform a particular action whilst on Hajj and thereby avoid making any errors or bidah (innovation)

3. Give people their Rights (haqouq)

Give back what was given to you in trust (amanah) by others, as you do not know whether you will return from Hajj. It may be that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) has decreed that your lifespan (ajal) ends whilst you are there.

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“And if you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then let there be a pledge taken (mortgaging); then if one of you entrust the other, let the one who is entrusted discharge his trust (faithfully), and let him be afraid of Allah, his Lord. And conceal not the evidence for he, who hides it, surely his heart is sinful. And Allah is All-Knower of what you do.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:283]

4. Leave worldly matters (dunyaa) behind you

The hajj has hardship associated with it, which will test each and every one of our limits. We should be concerned with performing all the hajj rites correctly. Avoid taking more than what is necessary as it will only become a distraction, this could be even in the case of mobile phones, laptops, cameras, camcorders, etc.

Imam Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said “The hour of your life is three, the first hour passed and you don’t know if Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) accepted it. The hour you are in now invest with good deeds. The hour coming you don’t know if you going to reach it”

5. Clear your debts (adyaan) if you have any

The one in debt must always have intention to pay back the creditor.

The Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: “Whosoever takes money of the people and has the intention to give it back Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) will pay it back on his behalf, and whosoever takes it without the intention to pay it back, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) will waste it.” [Reported by Sahih Muslim]

You need to ensure all halal debts are paid back. This excludes, loans from the Bank, student loans, credit card bills and mortgages, all of which are prohibited forms of transaction as they all have riba (usury) associated with them.

6. Remove the diseases (amraad) of the heart

Get rid of diseases such as nationalism, arrogance, backbiting, hatred, partisanship and showing off.  Grouping the Muslims on hajj based upon tribalistic lines is clearly forbidden.

The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said, "He is not one of us who calls for `Asabiyyah, (nationalism/tribalism) or who fights for `Asabiyyah or who dies for `Asabiyyah." [Reported by Abu Dawud]

And in another hadith, the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) referring to nationalism, racism, and patriotism said: "Leave it, it is rotten." [Reported by Muslim and Bukhari]

7. The funding for Hajj should be lawful (halal)

Do not use money from riba (usury), gambling, alcohol sale or any other means of fasad (corruption).

The Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: “Verily Allah is pure and accepts only what is pure.” [Reported by Muslim]

The Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: “The halal (lawful) is clear and the haram (unlawful) is clear.” [Reported by Bukhari]

And Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

  “O you who believe! Fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:278]

8. Be careful of oppression (zhulm)

Stop oppression such as to prevent your wife from going to hajj or not to leave enough provision for the wife is she is left behind. Even to leave the cat alone at home without making provisions for it is dhulm.