HAJJ – THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL

The importance of this acts of worship is as in the title – Hajj is really the journey of a lifetime. More importantly, it is a means to assist a believer for an even longer journey – the journey in the Hereafter – a journey which has to be treaded alone in which none will be able to assist us in this arduous journey. How can Hajj assist us? It is because when one goes to Hajj with full of sincerity, his/her whole life flashes in front of his/her eyes in various parts of the Hajj ritual:

• When the pilgrim sees the Ka’bah for the first time;
• When the pilgrim does the tawaf around the Ka’bah (circumbulation);
• When the pilgrim goes to Arafah, which is the climax of Hajj;
• When the pilgrim throws the stones at the jamarat;
• When the pilgrim stays in Mina as part of the Hajj ritual;
• When the pilgrim does the farewell tawaf.

There is a lot of reflections of our relationship with Allah and of our purpose in this life. This usually leads to a commitment to improve oneself inshaAllah when one returns to his/her country, and that is usually how this important journey which we called Hajj would usually help one to prepare ourselves better for our journey in the Hereafter.

However, this journey (Hajj) depends on one important matter – whether we are invited by Allah to perform this great act of worship. It does not depend on the wealth that you have because we know of many people who are wealthy, and worse still, living in the Arabian peninsula, but have not been Invited by Allah to perform Hajj. I also know of a few of my students with no financial means to perform Hajj but have been Invited by Allah to perform Hajj when some organisations sponsor them to go to Hajj.

The key ingredient to note is  –  Perform Hajj at the earliest opportunity inshaAllah, regardless of age. That will help to prioritise the things we do in this very short life.

IMPORTANCE OF HAJJ

1. It is the 5^th pillar of Islam
2. It is obligatory for those who can afford it
3. It allows one be united with Muslims around the world as one ummah
4. Answering the call of Allah
5. It disregards race or culture
6. The pilgrims learns about humility and being a slave of Allah
7. The pilgrim is following the footsteps of previous prophets, especially Ibrahim (AS);
8. The pilgrim has been Invited by Allah
9. The pilgrim leads the life of constant worship of Allah during the whole journey, just like the angels
10. The pilgrim is given the experience on how the Day of Judgement will be like
11. The reward if forgiveness of all sins – just like a baby
12. It should eventually lead to a commitment to be more focus on the preparations of the Hereafter. Therefore, the younger and fitter a person is inshaAllah the more time he/she has to prioritise his/her life when he/she return to his/her own country after Hajj.
13. Develop good characters such as patience

1. HAJJ AS THE 5^TH PILLAR OF ISLAM

The performance of Hajj completes the 5 pillars of Islam.

Ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with them both, said: “The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Islaam is built upon five (pillars): testifying that there is no god worthy of worship but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, establishing regular prayer, paying Zakaah, Hajj and fasting Ramadhaan.” (Reported by Al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16).

The 5 Pillars of Islam completes the obligation of a Muslim to Allah.

• It begins with the attestation that None has the right to be worship except Allah and Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) is His slave and Messenger.
• After this important shahadah, then the prayer must be established in order to communicate with Allah and seek His Guidance to be able to fulfil ALL the 5 pillars of Islam.
• Then it is a purification of our wealth so that we are able to help the poor and those in need by giving zakat.
• Fourthly is the command to fast for one whole month. In all the rest of the 11 months, we can eat and drink whenever we want, but this special month of Ramadan, Allah commanded us to refrain from doing so in the day. That’s why, on the basis that we obey Allah by fasting in Ramadan simply because He Ordered us to do, the reward of fasting is immense – that Allah Himself will Reward us accordingly.
• The 5^th Pillar recharges our faith and iman, and hopefully inshaAllah allows us to prioritise our life according to what pleases The AlMighty, and also as a reward, all previous shortcomings and sins are forgive, if the Hajj is Accepted by Allah.

• HAJJ IS OBLIGATORY

Has was prescribed in the 9^th year after Hijrah, when Allah Revealed in surah 3 verse 97:

“…And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses …”

It is important that you and I fulfil the obligatory duties in order to gain Allah’s Love:

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) said:

Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said: Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him. It was related by al-Bukhari.

• UNITY OF MUSLIMS WORLDWIDE

Pilgrims around the world congregate in this Holy place for the sake of Allah and stands united side by side to worship Allah.

“The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion)…” 49: 10

Hajj makes all people the same in their clothing, deeds, rituals, qiblah and the places they visit. So no one is better than anyone else, king or slave, rich or poor, are all the same. 

So the people are equal in terms of rights and duties. They are equal in this sacred place, and differences in colour and nationality do not matter; no one has the right to differentiate between them.  

Unity of feelings, unity of rituals.

Unity in purpose, unity in action. 

Unity in words. “People come from Adam, and Adam came from dust. No Arab is superior to a non-Arab and no white man is superior to a black man, except in terms of piety (taqwa).” 

More than two million Muslims all standing in one place, wearing the same clothes, sharing one aim, with one slogan, calling upon one Lord and following one Prophet… what unity can be greater than this? 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Verily, those who disbelieved and hinder (men) from the path of Allaah, and from Al‑Masjid Al‑Haraam (at Makkah) which We have made (open) to (all) men, the dweller in it and the visitor from the country are equal there [as regards its sanctity and pilgrimage (Hajj and ‘Umrah)] — and whoever inclines to evil actions therein or to do wrong (i.e. practise polytheism and leave Islamic Monotheism), him We shall cause to taste from a painful torment” [22:25]

• ANSWERING THE CALL OF ALLAH

When Ibrahim (AS) built the Ka’bah, Allah Commanded him to call all mankind to visit this Holy place.

“And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj).” 22: 27

That is why when we pass by the Miqat, the place where we do the intention to perform Hajj or Umrah, immediately we declare the talbiyah:

Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah said, describing the Hajj of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Then he started to say the words of Tawheed, ‘“Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak  (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner).’”   

Narrated by Muslim, 2137; see question no. 21617 

The pilgrims are answering the call from Allah to perform the pilgrimage.

• RACE AND CULTURE ARE NOT IMPORTANT WHEN YOU WORSHIP ALLAH

“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaqun (pious – see V.2:2)]. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” 49: 13

The pilgrims will be standing next to people of various nationalities. Race and culture are completely irrelevant. The only thing that may separate one pilgrim to another in the eyes of Allah is Taqwa.

• THE PILRIMS LEARN ABOUT HUMILITY AND BEING ONLY A SLAVE OF ALLAH

For the men, whether they are rich or poor, having a job as a CEO or a domestic worker, living in Chelsea or in the poor borough of London, everyone has to wear the same 2-piece of white clothes, with no threads. Whether you are called Jamal, Ahmad, Aishah, James, Daisy…. But when you are in the state of ihram (purity), you are just a slave of Allah without any names. Allah will only recognise you by your taqwa. Everyone will hv to go through the same procedure of Hajj, and no one can skip any rituals or ask someone else to do, except perhaps if you are ill then you may appoint someone to throw the stones at the jamarat.

Many will share toilet facilities with others, do the tawaf with everyone else, shave/cut the hair like everyone else. There is no special treatment of special procedures for the over privileged people.

• THE PILGRIMS FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF VARIOUS PROPHETS

There is a sense of connection with the Prophets (peace be upon them) from our father Ibraaheem who built the House, to our Prophet Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his respect for the sanctity of Makkah. When the pilgrim visits the sacred places and performs the rituals, he remembers the visist of those pure Prophets to this sacred place. 

Muslim (241) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: We traveled with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) between Makkah and Madeenah, and we passed by a valley. He said, “What valley is this?” They said, “The valley of al-Azraq.” He said, “It is as if I can see Moosa the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) putting his fingers in his ears beseeching Allaah, reciting the Talbiyah and passing through this valley.” 

Then we traveled on until we came to a mountain pass. He said, “What mountain pass is this?” They said, “Harsha or Lift.” He said, “It is as if I can see Yoonus on a red camel, wearing a woollen cloak, the reins of his camel made from fibres of date-palm, passing through this valley reciting the Talbiyah.”  

• THE PILGRIMS HAVE BEEN INVITED BY ALLAH

Only those whom Allah Invites will be able to visit the Holy city. It simply means that the pilgrims have been chosen by Allah to recharge their iman and Allah Wishes to Forgive their sins and set their affairs correctly especially on their purpose of life. The pilgrims must therefore made adequate preparations, especially on the Hajj Manasik, in order to to waste this invitation.

• THE PILGRIMS WILL SPEND THE TIME DURING HAJJ CONSTANTLY WORSHIPPING ALLAH JUST LIKE THE ANGELS

This is truly the Blessings of Allah that He chose the pilgrims to worship Him constantly throughout the pilgrimage. Every hour is spent waiting for the next prayer. Even those sisters who are not wearing Hijab will wear Hijab constantly. Pilgrims will therefore be like the angels. That is why especially in Arafah on 9^th Dhulhijjah, Allah is especially proud of the pilgrims and show them off to the angels.

When Allah (swt) created Adam `alayhi assalaam (peace be upon him), the angels were baffled. They asked Allah (swt), “Are You going to create a creation that will spread corruption and spill blood!? While here we are, worshipping you and praising you” (2:30). They could not understand the wisdom behind a creation that is inclined toward sin, while they are worshipping and praising Allah (swt) all the time. The angels do not eat, they do not sleep, and they do not sin. Allah (swt) replied, “I know what you do not know” (2:30). During Hajj, on the day of Arafah, Allah (swt) calls out to the angels, and points to the pilgrims saying, “(Look,) my slaves have come to Me, looking rough, from every deep valley hoping for My mercy, so if their sins are equivalent to the amount of sand or the drops of rain or like the foam on the sea I will forgive them. So go forth My slaves! Having forgiveness and for what or who you have interceded for” (At-Tabarani). Subhan Allah (glory be to God). Allah (swt) is self-subsisting and needs not the worship, nor the praise, nor the sacrifice of us measly human beings, yet one cannot help but feel overwhelmed by emotion at the fact that our Lord is so proud that the pilgrims left their homes, their belongings, their families, and everything for His sake; so proud that He (swt) even boasts and shows them off to the angels. Allah knew what they did not know.

In tawaf, you will be mirroring the worship of the angels, the mala’ikah, those heavenly creatures created of pure light and enveloped in the worship of Allah. Texts teach that the Ka‘bah is connected in an imperceptible way to the Bayt al-Ma‘mur, the heavenly Ka‘bah of the angels, around which they are constantly in tawaf. Seventy thousand angels perform tawaf around this house and are replaced with others, never to return.

1. THE PILGRIMS ARE GIVEN A TASTE WHAT THE DAY OF JUDGMENT WOULD BE LIKE

The whole experience of Hajj will be like the Day of Judgment. There will be a sea of crowd. When you do tawaf or sa’i between Safa and Marwa, it is literally body to body of people that sometimes you cannot move. The Day of Judgement is similar. You are only concerned about your deeds.

1. FORGIVENESS OF SINS

The Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever does Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not have sexual relations (with his wife), commit sin, or dispute unjustly during the Hajj, will come back like the day his mother gave birth to him” (Bukhari, Muslim).

This is the ultimate goal of the pilgrims. As long as we have a single atom of sin, we cannot enter Paradise.

1. EVENTUALLY THOSE PILGRIMS RETURNING FROM HAJJ SHOULD SEE LIFE IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT – AS A MEANS TO PREPARE FOR THE HEREAFTER

As the pilgrims return home inshaAllah with sins forgiven, inshaAllah the slate is wiped clean and they would know how to plan their lives. Nothing is more important than prioritising Allah and our Purpose of Life – which is to worship Him. Our goals in life should be clearer inshaAllah.

The whole purpose of life itself is to worship Allah:

“And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).” 51: 56

1. DEVEOP GOOD CHARASTERS SUCH AS PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE

Good characteristics such as forbearance and putting up with annoyance from people, because the pilgrim will inevitably be exposed to crowding and arguments, etc. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihraam), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj.” (2:197)

1. THE PILGRIMS ARE GUESTS OF ALLAH

The pilgrim remembers that in doing these rituals he is the guest of the most Merciful. The gathering of Hajj is not at the invitation of any government or organization or king or president, rather it is the invitation of the Lord of the Worlds Who has made it an occasion on which the Muslims meet on a footing of equality in which no one is superior to anyone else. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj). That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade)” (22:27-28)

Al-Nasaa’i (2578) narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The guests of Allaah are three: the warrior for the sake of Allaah, the pilgrim performing Hajj and the pilgrim performing ‘Umrah.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i, 2464.    

THE BIG HOWEVER

The BIG DISAPPOINTMENT to me is that, knowing than multi millions of Muslims have completed this beautiful journey, and yet, the Muslim world now is worse than it has ever been. Poverty, corruption, and war are rampant in Muslim countries. In fact, the young generation in Muslim countries are looking into the western world as an ideal example on how to lead a fruitful life in this 21^st century. Therefore something must be wrong somewhere among these pilgrims who are supposed to return to their country a better person spiritually.

Allah Reminded us on these 2 important verses regarding Hajj:

“….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 one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns).” 3: 97

“….And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). So fear Me, O men of understanding!” 2: 197

So, firstly Allah has mentioned that it is an obligation for those who can afford. Many people can afford to travel but they rather travel to America, Europe, Dubai, etc for holidays. BUT Allah Reminded us He does NOT need us to perform Hajj – Hajj is for our own good to affirm our spiritual values and boost our iman. Even if the number going to Hajj declines, Allah is still the Greatest.

Then He reminded us that the best provision for Hajj is Taqwa, which many people are not adhering to during Hajj. Hence NOT ALL pilgrims return to their countries after Hajj a better person spiritually because they have not brought with them sufficient Taqwa as a provision.

So, what are the common mistakes of the pilgrims in order for us to avoid inshaAllah?

COMMON MISTAKES ON THE PILGRIMS

1. Intention
2. Failed to have Taqwa as a provision of Hajj (2: 197) – Not preparing yourself spiritually before the journey – so a person is still not praying on time and never strive to correct himself/herself, or a person is still talking and gossiping.
3. Having an intention to perform Hajj only when a person gets old
4. Fail to seek knowledge, and follow the leaders/imams blindly
5. Not understanding the manasik (rituals of Hajj) – very mechanical
6. Fail to be patient
7. Think that this is a holiday – spent too much time shopping.
8. It is now a multi million £ industry, and people are focussed on staying in 5 star hotels rather than performing a 5 star quality type of Hajj
9. Lack of preparations – lastminute.com
10. Innovations
11. Clinging to the ka’bah
12. Saying specific du’a for each round of tawaf

11. Fail to continue with righteous good deeds when they return from Hajj
12. Fail to be grateful to Allah for Inviting him/her to perform Hajj
13. Performing Hajj when pilgrims are so old that it may affect the acceptance of Hajj.

Do remember that ONLY those who has been invited by Allah will perform Hajj AND only those whose Hajj are Accepted by Allah will be Rewarded for the performance of Hajj – which is forgiveness of all the sins.

Ibn al-Jawzi (rahimah al-Allah) relates a story of an old, blind woman who was journeying to Hajj years ago with a caravan. Throughout the journey, she keeps asking: “Are we at the house of my Lord?” Time and again, she is told, “No, mother, we are not there yet.” As the caravan nears Makkah, she is informed that they are almost there. Finally, they enter Masjid al-Haram. She is led to the Ka’bah. Touching the Ka’bah, she cries, “Baytu rabbi? The House of my Lord?” Weeping, she clings to the cloth of the Ka’bah – and dies.

The woman realized with her heart (qalb) the true significance of visiting the House of her Lord.

Allah has invited you to His House, which He has called the al-Bayt al-‘Atiq – the ancient, liberated and liberating house. Your journey is one of freedom and liberation. For as your body leaves its material house to journey to Allah’s House, your heart is meant to disengage from the lower self (nafs), the shaytan, and the world (dunya) and journey to Allah.

The ultimate reward for a Hajj mabrur is to return home with the purity of a newborn child. What could be a greater incentive! But beware, for Hajj is a selective process. Only a few will attain a Hajj mabrur, which is a Hajj performed correctly, without any disobedience to Allah and without indulging in any argumentation. Be prepared. Be vigilant. Be focused. This will be one of the greatest – and sweetest – struggles of your life. And though you will long and dream for the rest of your life to come back, you may never return again.

May Allah allow our bodies to journey to His House; may He permit our hearts to find Him, the Lord of the House. Ameen.