SO THAT OUR HAJJ MAY BE ACCEPTED (HAJJ MABRUR) – I

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has assigned a great reward for Hajj mabrur, as evidenced by the saying of the Messenger, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ” … There is no reward for Hajj Mabrur except Paradise.” [Al-Bukhari: 1773]

The meaning of birr (from which the word “mabrur” is derived (Lat’aif al Ma’arif. p.410)) involves the following two:

1. Good behaviour towards people, fulfilling ones duties towards others and giving them their rights. In the hadith, “Al-Birr is good behaviour.”[Muslim: 2553] In the Musnad, from Jabir, a marfu’ naration states, “They said: ‘What makes Hajj mabrur, O Rasulullah – sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam?’ He said, ‘Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salam.’ “ [Fath al-Bari; 4/446]
2. Doing much worship and the trait of taqwa, as opposed to sinfulness. Allah ta’ala says, “Do you order people towards al-birr(righteousness) while you forget (it) yourselves?” [Al-Qur’an 2:44] Al-Qurtubi said, “Sayings mentioned in tafsir of this verse are close in meaning, that is, (birr is) performance of Hajj in which its rules are fulfilled and which is done in the most complete manner.” [Fath al-Bari; 3/446]

Not everyone who makes Hajj will have his Hajj accepted. As Ibn ‘Umar, radhiallahu ‘anhu, said to Mujahid, when he said, “How manyHujjaj“, “How few. Rather say, how many riders.” [Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaq: 8836]

I will highlight here some matters that help one ensure that his or her Hajj will be accepted, insha’Allah.

Sincerity and Following of the Sunnah

Sincerity to Allah and seeking His reward and pleasure alone. Allah says in the hadith qudsi, “Whoever does an action for other than me, I will leave him and his shirk.” [Muslim: 2985] The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, supplicated, “Allahumma hajjatan la riya’a fiha wa la sum’a.” (“O Allah, enable me to make hajj with no riya’ (show-off in the sense of desire that others witness one’s good acts) or sum’a (show-off related to desire that others hear about one’s good acts) in it.”) [Ibn Majah: 2890]

Following of the Messenger, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in all matters. He said, “Whoever does an action not in accordance with our matter (Din), it will be rejected.” [Muslim: 1718] Also, “Take your rituals (from me), for I do not know whether I will perform Hajj after this one.” [Muslim: 1297] The Sahabah,radhiallahu ‘anhum, comprehended this matter well. ‘Umar said when he kissed the black stone, “By Allah, I know that you are a stone, you neither bring harm nor benefit, and if I had not seen the Messenger of Allah – sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, kiss you, I would not have kissed you.” [Al-Bukhari: 1610]

Preparation for Hajj

A servant’s preparation for Hajj is from the most important matters that helps in performing the pilgrimage in the legislated manner and ensuring that one’s Hajj is insha’Allah accepted. From matters that require emphasis in preparation for Hajj are the following:

• Examining and rectifying one’s relationship with Allah ta’ala, by sincerely repenting and fulfilling the well-known conditions of repentance.
• Seeking His help and guidance, manifesting one’s need of Him, fear of Him and hope in His reward. This is from the most important matters, for it is not permissible for a person to rely solely on his material means.
• Relieving oneself of one’s obligations towards others, one’s trusts and debts.
• Writing of one’s will, as travel exposes one to various dangers.
• Preparation of provisions for those the pilgrim is responsible for until he returns, advising them with good and appointing someone to take care of their matters, so that his concern and attention be devoted to performance of the pilgrimage.
• Taking a convenient journey and good, halal provision. For provision obtained through haram is from matters that cause one’s worship not to be accepted. It is related from At-Tabarani in a marfu’ tradition, “When a person leaves for Hajj with good provision, places his foot in the stirrup, he is called from the heavens: ‘Labbayka wa’s-sa’dayk [may your call be replied and happiness be your reward], your sustenance is halal, your journeying is halal, and your Hajj is accepted.’ And when he leaves with corrupt provisions and places his foot in the stirrup (of his mount) and says, ‘Labbayk’, he is called from the heavens, ‘La labbayka wa la sa’dayk dayk [may your call not be responded to and happiness not be your reward], your provision is haram, your sustenance is haram and your Hajj is not accepted.’ “ Today we live at a time when haram earnings have become widespread, and when questionable wealth has increased, except for those that Allah has mercy upon. So let every servant fear His Lord and remember his saying, “Allah is Good (Tayyib) and does not accept except what is good.” [Muslim: 2/703] It is recommended for a servant to increase one’s halal provisions according to his abilities, so that one does not depend on others and in order to show kindness to the weak (by giving money in charity).
• Selection of a righteous company that will help one in moments of weakness, remind him when he forgets, teach him when he does not know, order him to good and forbid him from evil. So let the servant beware of the following two types of companies: a corrupt company that leads to sinfulness
• Learning the rules of Hajj and its manners, as well as rules related to travel, including al-qasr (shortening prayers), al-jam’ (joining prayers), at-tayammum, al-mash (wiping) etc. The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, “Whoever Allah wishes good, He gives him understanding of the Din.” [Al-Bukhari: 71] What helps a person in this is obtaining books and tapes by people of knowledge, and accompanying them while performing pilgrimage. Likewise, accompanying people who are familiar with places and times of different Hajj rituals.