Reminders for the Hujjaj

Here are some beneficial reminders for our brothers and sisters performing Hajj this year InshaÁllah

1. 1.        Intention:

There is a Hadeeth which states, in the latter days, the people will go for hajj but their object will be four. The rulers will go to increase their power, the rich for trade and commerce, the poor for begging and the learned for name and fame.

These things can be earned but if Hajj is performed with these objects, no reward is acquired for Hajj. Therefore first and foremost we must rectify and polish upon our intentions.

1. 2.       Virtues:

 The prophet (salallahu alaihi wasalam) said, “There is no reward except paradise for an accepted hajj.” He (salallahu alaihi wasalam) also said,

“He whose sins are greatest is a person who thinks at Arafah that Allah has not forgiven his sins.”

Subhanallah these two Ahadith are sufficient to explain the extensive reward and forgiveness Allah offers a sincere Pilgrim.

1. 3.        During hajj:

-Good deeds: One good deed in Makkah brings 100,000 rewards. As for Madinah, the Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasalam) said, one prayer in my mosque brings rewards one thousand times more than the prayer in other mosques except the mosque of Makkah. This is true in the case of all good deeds done here.

-Tawaaf: Rasulullah (salallahu alaihi wasalam) said, “Make much Tawaaf because it is such a great thing that you will find it in your book of deeds on the day of resurrection and for which people will envy you. “

-Sins: Sinning in the blessed lands is far more detrimental then sinning elsewhere thus we should remain extra cautious. Hadhrat Ibn Masud (radhiallahu anhu) said, there is no such city except Makkah wherein the people will be punished for niyyat before actions. Then he read this verse, “If a man wishes therein to do extensive oppression, he will be given grievous punishment.” This is only for the Kaabah.

-Patience:  Bear with pleasure sacrifices of the loss that is caused in the matter of properties or the occurrence of any calamity, because it is a proof of the acceptance of hajj. The troubles and calamities on the way to pilgrimage are like expense in the way of Allah and the expense of a dirham at that time is equal to the expense of 700 dirhams. That is the reward of bearing hardships in the way of jihad.

1. Return:

Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) said, a pilgrim is forgiven and also the man for whom he seeks forgiveness in Dhul Hijjah, Muharram, Safar or the first part of Rabiul-awal. Take advantage of such accepted prayers!

1. Signs of acceptance:

Last but not least…It is said that if one gives up sins and bad company and takes up good company and gives up the assembly of useless talks and takes to the assemblies of zikr, they are the signs of acceptance of hajj.

May Allah accept the Hajj of all the blessed pilgrims and allow them to experience the signs of acceptance immediately upon return. Ameen

(Derived from the teachings of Imam Gazzalis Ihyaa Ulum-ud-Deen)

By: A sister, Uk