INTRODUCTION:
Hajj (the Pilgrimage to Makkah) is the fifth pillar of Islam. The Prophet (s.a.w., sallallahu’ alayhi wa sallam meaning: may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Islam has been built upon five things: declaring that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; the establishment of salaah (five compulsory daily prayers; the payment of zakaah (obligatory charity); sawm of Ramadan (fasting in the month of Ramadan); and the Hajj (pilgrimage to the House of Allah, if one is able); ”
[Bukhari 1/ 7]
This final pillar of Islam is obligatory, at least once in a lifetime, upon all sane Muslims, who reach the age of puberty, and are physically and financially able to make the journey. Allah the Almighty tells us in His Book:
“… 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 ‘Alâmin (mankind and jinn).” (Qur’an 3:97)
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 Ahâdîth 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.”
[Muslim, 2/3129]
“From one ‘Umrah to another is expiation for what is between them and Hajj Mabrûr has no reward except Paradise.”
[Bukhari and Muslim]
By Hajj Mabrûr 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.
PARADISE:
From the above Ahadith 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. Allâh’s promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allâh’s?”
(Qur’an 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 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 Hadith:
Abu Hurayrah (r.a., radhiallahu anhu, meaning: may Allah be pleased with him) 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.”
[Tirmidhi 2536 and Ibn Majah]
WELL BALANCED LIFE:
Since our Rabb listens to the supplications of those who come to perform Hajj, let us 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. We can do this especially when we are doing our tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’bah) when we are between the Yamani corner and the black stone based on the following Ahâdîth:
‘Abdullah bin As-Sa’ib (RA) 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.’”
[Abu Dawud 1887]
Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu 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.’”
[Tirmidhi 2590 and Ibn Majah]
Let us not confine our supplications for our success in this world alone but most of all 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). He has encouraged his Companions to ask for the highest place in Paradise, which is the Firdaus. We read in the following authentic Hâdîth:
Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu 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 (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) 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.”
[Bukhari 9/519]
SERVES AS JIHAD FOR WOMEN:
For us women, performance of Hajj serves as the opportunity for us to do the best deed that deserves Allah’s supreme reward. It raises our level to be among the Mujahideen (those who fight in Allah’s cause):
‘Aishah (r.a., radhiallahu anha, meaning: 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).”
[Bukhari Vol. 4, Hadith 43]
‘Abdullah Bin Mas’ud (r.a.) narrated: “I asked the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam), which deed is the dearest to Allah?”
He (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) 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 (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) replied:
“To participate in jihad (religious fighting) in Allah’s Cause.”
[Bukhari 1/ 505]
Bin Habashi (r.a.) 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.”
[Tirmidhi 3833 and Nasa’i]
ECONOMIC BENEFITS:
Aside from the above eternal benefits, by performing Hajj we also enjoy worldly benefits. Furthermore, Hajj increases our economic well-being. Performance of Hajj does not prevent us 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, 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, 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, 62:10)
RIGHT CONDUCT:
Hajj, therefore gives, us opportunity to enjoy a well-balanced life. We also attain success in this world by developing our personality for Hajj trains us Muslims 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 any one 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 that are wise.”
(Qur’an 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 as the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) taught us in the following authentic Ahâdîth:
Abu Hurayra (RadiyAllahu Anhu) 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.”
[Bukhari 8/ 137]
Abu Huraira (RadiyAllahu Anhu) 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.”
[Bukhari 8/ 135 and Muslim 4/6311-6314]
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