Register for Hajj 2026

Hajj: Intro for non-muslims

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Islam has two major religious celebrations. The first occurs after the completion of Ramadan, the Islamic month during which Muslims (believers in Islam) fast daily from dawn to sunset as part of an effort towards self-purification and betterment. This holiday is known as Eid ul-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast).

The second major Islamic celebration takes place during the time of the Hajj, or annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca). This week-long event occurs two months and ten days after Ramadan ends, during the Islamic month of DhulHijjah, and its culmination is a holiday known as Eid ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). The Hajj consists of several ceremonies, meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, and to commemorate the trials of prophet Abraham and his family. Over two million Muslims perform the pilgrimage annually, and the rest of the over one billion Muslims worldwide celebrate the Eid holiday in conjunction with the Hajj.

In order to teach about the important holidays of Islam, teachers can photocopy the “Information for Students” pages of this packet and distribute them to their students. After providing 15-20 minutes to read the pages, teachers can use the provided questions to guide discussion and elicit responses from the students. Some suggested activities for students are also included in this packet.

ABRAHAM

Abraham is a figure revered by Muslims, Jews, and Christians alike as a righteous person who lived over four thousand years ago. His story can be found in the Bible as well as the Qur’an (the Muslim holy book). Abraham is considered to be the patriach of monotheism, or “belief in the One God,” who sought a personal relationship with his Creator. He left his native city of Ur in Mesopotamia after voicing opposition to his people’s polytheistic practices,and eventually settled in Egypt with his family. Later, he escorted one of his wives, Hajar, and their infant son IIshmael to a desolate valley in Arabia and left them there, trusting in God’s promise to care for them.

Hajar, concerned about feeding her young baby, began searching the surroundings for food and water. According to the Qur’an, in response to Hajar’s prayers, a spring miraculously gushed forth at Ishma’il’s feet to quench their thirst. Hajar climbed nearby hills searching for food and looking for caravans on the horizon. Eventually, some passing traders stopped in the valley, and asked Hajar’s permission to water their camels. In time, the traders decided to settle in the little valley, and eventually, the settlement grew into the city of Makkah. Abraham returned from time to time to visit, and when Ishma’il was about thirteen years old, he and Ishma’il constructed the Katbah, an empty cube-shaped building, as a place dedicated for the worship of the One God. Eventually, Makkah became an important trading post by the time of Prophet Muhammad, twenty- five hundred years later.

THE HAJJ

In commemoration of the trials of Abraham and his family in Makkah, which included Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in response to God’s command, Muslims make a pilgrimage to the sacred city at least once in their lifetime. The Hajj is one of the “five pillars” of Islam, and thus an essential part of Muslims’ faith and practice. Muslims from all over the world, including the US, travel to Makkah (in modern- day Saudi Arabia). Before arriving in the holy city, Muslims enter a state of consecration (dedication) known as ihram, by removing their worldly dothes and donning the humble attire of pilgrimstwo seamless white sheets for men, and simple white dresses and scarves for women. The white garments are symbolic of human equality and unity before God, since all the pilgrims are dressed similarly. Money and status no longer are a factor for the pilgrims – the equality of each person in the eyes of God becomes paramount.

Upon arriving in Makkah, pilgrims perform the initial tawaf, which is a circular, counter- clockwise procession around the Ka’bah. All the while, they state “Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk,” which means “Here I am at your service, O God, Here I am!” The tawaf is meant to awaken each Muslim’s consciousness that God is the center of their reality and the source of all meaning in life, and that each person’s higher self-identity derives from being part of the community of Muslim believers, known as the ummah. Pilgrims also perform the sa’i, which is hurrying seven times between the small hills named Safa and Marwah, reenacting the Biblical and Qurtanic story of Hajar’s desperate search for lifegiving water and food.

Next, on the first official day of Hajj (8th of Dhul-Hijjah), the two million pilgrims travel a few miles to the plain of Mina and camp there. From Mina, pilgrims travel the following morning to the plain of Arafat where they spend the entire day in earnest supplication and devotion. That evening, the pilgrims move and camp at Muzdalifa, which is a site between Mina and Arafat. Muslims stay overnight and offer various prayers there.

Then the pilgrims return to Mina on the 10th, and throw seven pebbles at a stone pillar that represents the devil. This symbolizes Abraham’s throwing stones at Satan when he tried to dissuade Abraham from sacrificing his son. Then the pilgrims sacrifice a sheep, reenacting the story of Abraham,who, in place of his son, sacrificed a sheep that God had provided as a substitute. The meat from the slaughtered sheep is distributed for consumption to family, friends, and poor and needy people in the community. After the sacrifice, the pilgrims return to Makkah to end the formal rites of Hajj by performing a final tawaf and sa’i.

Muslims believe the rites of the Hajj were designed by God and taught through prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that since the time of Adam, there have been thousands of prophets, including such well-known figures as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and David, and that Muhammad was the final prophet of God.

The Hajj is designed to develop God consciousness and a sense of spiritual upliftment. It is also believed to be an opportunity to seek forgiveness of sins accumulated thoughout life. Prophet Muhammad had said that a person who performs Hajj properly “will return as a newly born baby [free of all sins].” The pilgrimage also enables Muslims from all around the world, of different colors, languages, races, and ethnicities, to come together in a spirit of universal brotherhood and sisterhood to worship the One God together.

EID-UL-ADHA

Although only the pilgrims in Makkah can participate in the Hajj fully, all the other Muslims in the world join with them by celebrating the Eid ul Adha [eed ul ud-ha], or Festival of Sacrifice. On the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, Muslims around the world wear their nicest clothing and attend a special prayer gathering in the morning. This is followed by a short sermon, after which everyone stands up to hug and greet one another. The traditional Eid greeting is “Eid Mubarak,” which means “Holiday Blessings.” Next, people visit each other’s homes and partake in festive meals with special dishes, beverages, and desserts. Children receive gifts and sweets on this joyous occasion. In addition, like the pilgrims in Makkah, those Muslims who can afford to do so offer domestic animals, usually sheep, as a symbol of Abraham’s sacrifice. The meat is distributed for consumption to family, friends, and to the poor and needy.

The Eid ul-Adha is a major religious event in the lives of Muslims. Usually, communities celebrate tnis occasion over a period of several days.

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Preparations before leaving for Hajj

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General

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. All Muslims who fulfill certain conditions must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. What are these conditions? Are there any prerequisites of Hajj? The answers to these and many other similar questions can help you in making decisions, and in planning for Hajj in a better and more efficient fashion.

Who Must Perform Hajj

Every Muslim who fulfills the following conditions must perform Hajj at least once in his lifetime:

He must be of sound mind, and in full control of his mental faculties.
He must be old enough, and mature enough to understand the full import, and significance of what he is setting out to do.
He must be financially sound enough to be able not only to bear all of his expenses for Hajj but also to provide adequately for his dependents during his absence and until his return.

Prerequisites Of Hajj

Since Hajj is an act of worship, it must be performed in peace, and with single-minded devotion. There are a number of simple, yet important, things you can do to get in the right frame of mind for this unique experience. All of these are self-evident and are based on common sense. They are reiterated below for completeness of the discussion and as a reminder:

Your intention must be to perform Hajj solely for the sake of Allah. Considerations of pleasing or impressing others with your show of piety should never be a factor.
All Hajj expenses must be paid out of money obtained through legitimate (Halal) means. Money obtained through illegitimate or doubtful means is not acceptable.
All of your debts and financial obligations must be fully discharged before you start your journey and, where necessary, a written acknowledgment of the transaction obtained for future use.
You must make an honest effort to resolve your outstanding differences with others and seek forgiveness from those you may have hurt in any way in the past. This is based on specific instructions of Rasool Allah (PBUH) and must be followed for the Hajj to be meaningful.

Preparations For Hajj

Since Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most people, the importance of early and adequate preparation cannot be over-emphasized. There is a considerable investment of money, time, and physical effort required for the Pilgrimage to be fulfilling and meaningful. Information has to be collected, itineraries must be worked out, and documents have to be ready. The purpose of these preparations is not only to minimize physical discomfort, emotional aggravation, and monetary expenses but also to enable you to perform Hajj in the relative peace of heart and mind. Therefore, it makes sense to be as ready as possible for this momentous journey of self-discovery, self-appraisal, and spiritual enlightenment.

Arrangements must be started early enough so that you are not rushed for time in the few days before your voyage commences. The paperwork, shopping, finalizing your travel and residential arrangements inside Saudi Arabia etc., consume a great deal of time. Three to four months ahead of your actual date of departure is a good estimate for starting your preparations. Your travel agent, or a knowledgeable friend who has performed Hajj recently, can also guide you in your preparations. Be sure to apply a “factor of safety” to their recommendations and allow yourself a somewhat greater period of preparation than they advise!

The following guidelines are intended to get you started in the right direction. Since individual needs and preferences vary widely you will, in all probability, add to the list as you prepare for the journey:

Travel Agent

Choose a travel agent who offers a wide selection of “hajj packages” for Hajj. There are a large number of travel agencies all over the country that offer Hajj services, and not all of their products are of equal quality and value. Choosing the right agent is of crucial importance. Hopefully, a representative of your travel agent will be your constant guide and trouble shooter during Hajj. Invest time and effort in this essential phase of your preparation.

Talk to friends and acquaintances who may have recently used the services of various companies and ask them for recommendations. The quality of service and commitment to the comfort and well-being of the pilgrims vary significantly among travel agents. Whereas a good and responsible agent can “make” your Hajj, a bad one can just as easily “break” it.

Be sure to ask the travel agent specific questions and have him give you specific answers:

What will be the duration of your stay in Mecca and Medina? What dates? Is the program flexible or will it allow no changes once it is made? Is there any additional cost to such changes? If so, what is it?
How far away will you be staying from Haram ash Shareef, both in Mecca and in Medina? If your place of residence is not within easy walking distance (10-15 minutes), what type of transportation to and from Haram ash Shareef will be made available? How often during the day will it be available?
Will a representative of the travel agent who is fully conversant with the rites of Hajj, and Saudi rules and procedures for customs, immigration, and travel be with you at all times? Will he stay in Saudi Arabia for the duration of your visit? You do not want to be left in Saudi Arabia without adequate guidance and assistance. The laws and procedures there can be very difficult, frustrating, and time-consuming.
Will the representative of the agent be conversant with the Arabic language? If not, will an interpreter be provided in Saudi Arabia? Most Saudi authorities do not speak English, and your command of Arabic is likely to be limited.

Will you have the option of traveling within Saudi Arabia, (for example from Mecca to Medina), in a taxi hired by you at your own expense instead of the prepaid bus provided by your Muslim How about a possible return by air from Medina to Jeddah on your way out of the country instead of the usual prepaid bus? Get a good idea of this additional expense.

You may want to use the above options in view of the fact that the bus journeys during Hajj season can be nerve-racking. For example, a bus journey from Mecca to Medina (approximately 400 km or 250 miles) can take as long as twenty to thirty hours, whereas a taxi will cover the same distance in three to four hours. The small additional cost you will incur is well worth the money in terms of time saved and physical discomfort avoided.

If you choose to use any of the alternate travel options (and it is highly recommend that you give them very serious consideration), be sure to redeem your unused bus coupons at Jeddah airport on your way out. Your travel agent should be able to help you in this.
What kind of arrangements will be made for your stay in Mina and Arafat? How about the food arrangements in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah?
Does the price of your package include meals? See if the agents make an effort to vary the menu. You may have to supplement your meals with milk, fruits etc. Food supplied by the agents tends to be monotonous, and the lack of variety is likely to kill your appetite after a couple of days!
Will the agent arrange for a sacrifice on your behalf on the 10th of Zul Hijjah? This is a common service agents often provide for a small fee. They will inform you of the time of the sacrifice so that you may perform other rites accordingly.

Vaccinations

You will need certain vaccinations for the issuance of a Hajj visa. The World Health Organization (WHO) issues annual guidelines and requirements concerning vaccinations for travel to various countries including Saudi Arabia. Your physician will have the necessary information or will be able to access it readily.

Check either with your travel agent or the Saudi Arabian Embassy for additional requirements. The Saudi Government requirements are usually stricter than the WHO recommendations. For instance, whereas the WHO recommended immunization against only meningococcal meningitis for travel to Saudi Arabia in 1997, the Saudi authorities required immunization against cholera also.

Your doctor may recommend additional vaccinations in the light of his knowledge and experience. The writer’s doctor (a specialist in infectious diseases) recommended and administered immunization against typhoid fever, polio, pneumonia, diphtheria/tetanus (D/T) and malaria.

This may sound like “over-kill” and it probably is in most cases. However, it can also save you a lot of worry and misery in those unfortunate instances where extra care is needed. To cite an example : in 1997 there was an outbreak of typhoid in India and some of the pilgrims in the writer’s group, who travelled to India after Hajj, became seriously ill with the illness while there. It is possible that they contracted the disease from carriers among the Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, or they may have contracted the disease in India itself. In any case, earlier vaccination against the disease would have saved them from much suffering and anxiety. Had they contracted typhoid in Saudi Arabia itself from the Indian pilgrims, they would have had serious problems completing their Hajj.

Be sure to obtain an official Vaccination Record Book (the “Yellow Book”) from your County or State Health Department. Have your physician fill it out, sign it, and stamp it. Anything less may be unacceptable to the Saudi visa authorities, and you don’t want your visa application rejected for a small detail like this. Keep the vaccination record book with your other important documents and take it with you to Saudi Arabia. You never know when you may need it.

Documents

Saudi Government regulations require your passport to be valid for at least six months past the date of your departure. If it is not, have its validity extended or get a new passport well ahead of time. It takes several weeks for a passport to be issued or extended under normal circumstances. Your local post office should have the necessary forms and other relevant information.

If you are not a U.S. citizen and hold a “green card”, your passport also needs to be valid for six months past the date of your departure. Your travel agent will be able to advise you of any additional requirements.
You will need a round-trip ticket to Saudi Arabia for a Hajj visa to be issued. Your travel agent will ask you for a specific package of documents to be submitted with your visa application. Normally, the agent will take care of the visa application as a part of his services.
Your travel agent will probably ask you for four to five passport-sized pictures for a visa and other paper work. Have an additional four to five copies of the photos made and take them with you to Saudi Arabia. They may be needed for ID cards issued by your muallim and other Saudi documents and procedures. Having spare pictures on hand will save you the time, aggravation, and expense involved in having them made in a foreign land.
If you were born in the U.S.A., you may be required to have a certificate issued by a competent authority (e.g., the Imam of your local mosque) stating that you are a Muslim. Since non-muslims are not allowed in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, such a document is of crucial importance, especially if you do not happen to have a typical Muslim name. Your travel agent or the Saudi Embassy can advise you about the details of the said certificate.
Prepare a Last Will and Testament and have it properly notarized. Consult an attorney if it is a complicated will, or if you have concerns about your assets and property in case of something untoward happening to you during Hajj. Leave the original in a safety deposit box accessible to a member of your family. The executor/executrix of your will should also be given a copy, and your attorney should probably retain a copy also. Have him explain to you, and the immediate members of your family affected by the will, the probate laws of your state and advise them as to the best course of action in case of your death abroad.

General

You will be exerting considerable physical effort during Hajj. All Hajj rites (Tawaf, Sai, Rummy etc.) require a great deal of strength and endurance. The constant crush of hundreds of thousands of other pilgrims, each trying to perform the same rites at the same time in limited spaces and very hot weather, compounds the demands on your physical conditioning and mental toughness.

In order to be prepared for the rigors expected of you, you must be in good physical shape. To achieve this, start a program of brisk walking and jogging for twenty to thirty minutes a day about three to four months before your departure. Gradually increase this regimen to an hour every day or every other day.

After a few days of walking/jogging start reciting audibly the Talbiyah and the prayers for Tawaf.This will keep your mind occupied during the monotony of the exercise, and will also help you get in a peaceful frame of mind. Concentrating on the meaning of the prayers will help you get ready for the actual Hajj as well.

Obtain and study books on Hajj and its rites if you wish to know more about its history and traditions. Familiarize yourself with all aspects of the Hajj process. Memorize the prayers you will be reciting and also learn their meaning. It requires very little effort to do so and it is so much more fulfilling and rewarding when you understand what you recite. It serves little purpose to recite prayers mindlessly with no comprehension of the words spoken.

The more you know about Hajj, its obligations, and 	prohibitions, the more comfortable and at peace you will feel during the whole process. You will be confident of what you are doing, and will also be independent of the advice and prompting of your friends or a mutawwif. Your prayers will bear the hallmark of the single-mindedness and devotion born of knowledge and confidence. You will also be able to help and guide your less knowledgeable companions, answer their questions, and allay their fears.

Some people do not take the trouble of learning the 	rites and prayers of Hajj themselves and, consequently, depend on professional mutawwifs for the performance of these rites. You will find such people performing the Tawaf under the leadership of these professionals, trying to keep up with their “leader” in the milling throngs of pilgrims around the Kabah, and at the same time, trying to repeat the prayers intoned by their mutawwif! With a little bit of effort, you can avoid the problems and frustrations of trying to follow some one else closely enough in a vast, moving crowd to listen to and parrot his intonations.

A female pilgrim must travel in the company of her husband or a mahram i.e., a member of her immediate family with whom her marriage is expressly prohibited by the shariah e.g., father, brother, son, uncle, etc. A female pilgrim, who is forty five years of age or older, may be allowed to travel with a group of pilgrims without a mahram if a family in the group sponsors her. Ask your agent for details.

Things To Take With You

The following is a fairly comprehensive list of things you will need to take with you to make your journey, and subsequent stay in Saudi Arabia safe, convenient, and relatively care-free. Since personal needs and preferences vary, you may want to make changes in this list to suit your own requirements.

Ihram

The Ihram consists of two pieces of white, unsewn and 	plain cloth, either 100% cotton or light terry-cloth. These are cool to wear and also provide for better absorption of the heavy perspiration you will inevitably experience during Hajj. The sizes of the two pieces are as follows:

Bottom Part : 45″ (1 1/4 yd) x 120″ (3 1/3 yd)

Top Part : 45″ (1 1/4 yd) x 72″ (2 yd)

Tear off two, two to three inch wide strips of a sufficient length from the same material. Use one as a belt to secure the bottom portion of the Ihram. Keep the other as a spare. An ordinary belt or fanny belt may also be used for the same purpose, but a strip of Ihram cloth is a lot more practical, and unobtrusive. It keeps the Ihram firmly in place and, unlike a fanny belt or pouch, does not have to be inspected by the police at the entrance to the Haram ash Shareef.

Tear off an eight to ten inch wide strip of sufficient length from the same material. Use it to secure money, credit cards, airline ticket, etc. around your midriff under the Ihram. Use a plastic sandwich bag inside this make-shift pouch to keep these things dry, and secure. This is as pilfer-proof as possible and,unlike a belt or fanny pouch, does not attract the unwanted attention of pickpockets and thieves. You may still use a fanny pouch to carry other things such as medication, pen, a handkerchief, and a small amount of money for daily use. Your fanny pouch will be inspected by the police at the entrance to Haram ash Shareef in Mecca and Medina. Be patient and understanding as the police are only doing their job.

Medication

Gastrointestinal and respiratory infections are very 	common during Hajj . People from all over the world bring with them all kinds of infections, and the unavoidable closeness of the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims facilitates easy spread of these illnesses. Fatigue, and lack of sleep from the physically demanding regimen of Hajj rites as well as the over-enthusiastic exertions in prayers and devotions, lower one’s immunity and resistance, thereby making one more vulnerable to disease. However, you can take elementary precautions to minimize your chances of becoming ill, and also to ensure that you will get back on your feet faster should you get sick. Getting and staying in good physical shape by regular exercise prior to your departure is a good first step. You can also carry certain medicines with you for use later.

Ask your doctor to prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic to be taken prophylactically (i.e., as a preventive measure) throughout your stay in Saudi Arabia. The writer’s doctor prescribed 250 mg of the antibiotic CIPRO to be taken daily. He found it to be very helpful and effective as he was about the only person in his group of approximately seventy five people who remained healthy and free of all infections during his stay. CIPRO is easily available in Saudi Arabia. Some people were prescribed AMOXICILLIN by Saudi doctors and pharmacists with good results. Most medicines are available over the counter in Saudi Arabia, and even pharmacists readily prescribe medication. However it is preferable to consult your doctor in the U.S.A. for your needs for obvious reasons.

Carry a reasonable supply of over-the-counter drugs such as :

ASPIRIN, TYLENOL, ADVIL or ALEVE (for pain)

TYLENOL PM (as a sleep-aid)

BENGAY, ASPERCREME (for muscular pain)

PEPTOBISMOL, IMMODIUM (for diarrhea)

EMETROL (for nausea)

COUGH DROPS, MULTI-VITAMINS, BAND-AIDS, ANTI-BACTERIAL CREAM (for cuts)

Waist Pouch (Fanny Pouch)

Keep valuables (documents, money, travellers’ checks, keys, credit cards, etc.) in the fanny pouch around your waist at all times. Do not ever leave your home without it. Be especially careful and wary in crowded places. Unfortunately, there are thieves and pickpockets even inside Haram ash Shareef! Hold on to the pouch with your hand in crowds e.g., while doing Tawaf or when visiting Al Masjid un Nabawi in Medina. Buy a good quality fanny belt or pouch. It is a small but a very good investment.
Suitcase

Hard-cased, high quality luggage with a built-in locking system is highly recommended. Do not use a soft, vinyl suitcase with outside hasps for locks. Both the suitcase as well as the locks can be easily cut and the contents stolen. Many people have the mistaken notion that every one in and around the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and Al Haram ash Shareef is a God fearing, devoted Muslim. Therefore, they feel immune from criminal activity. Unfortunately, that is just not true. Inspite of the severe punishments awarded to convicted criminals by Saudi authorities, crime does exist. Pickpockets and crooks find it easy to prey on unsuspecting pilgrims whose guard is down because of their preoccupation with Hajj activities.

Always keep your suitcase locked and do not ever leave money, important papers or other valuables in it.Your residential room will be periodically cleaned by the cleaning staff, and the best way to keep every one honest is not to offer any temptation. Take two sets of keys for your suitcase. Keep one set in the fanny pouch, and the other in a separate, and safe location.
Money

Take a sufficient amount of currency to cover your projected expenses. It is difficult to recommend an amount since individual needs, travel and living arrangements, shopping plans etc. vary widely. Only you can decide on the amount to carry. In any event,do not advertise to others either the amount of money you possess or its place of safekeeping. You can never be too careful.The following are some useful guidelines in this area:

Have most of your money in the form of travellers’ checks. They are safe to carry, can be cashed almost anywhere, and are easily replaced in case of theft or loss. Since your passport will have been taken from you for the duration of your stay by the Saudi authorities in Jeddah, the ID card issued by your muallim will most probably be used for check cashing purposes. The importance of this card cannot be over-emphasized. Take good care of it!

Besides the Saudi banks, the travellers’ checks can also be cashed at the numerous “sarrafs” (money changers) located in the market in Mecca and Medina.
Carry a small amount of Saudi riyals with you. A minimum of one thousand riyals (1 Dollar = 3.75 Riyals) is recommended. You can purchase them at almost all currency exchanges located in major American airports. This Saudi currency will help you take care of your immediate expenses upon your arrival until you become familiar with the local system. You will also save time and aggravation associated with making trips to the banks to cash your checks. All banks tend to be crowded during the Hajj season and may also be closed at certain times of the day and certain days of the week.
Take only one credit card with you to minimize problems in case of its loss. Make sure that you can use it to charge telephone calls also. Do not forget to carry the information required to contact the credit card issuing institution in case of its theft or misplacement.
Take some U.S. currency also with you. You can exchange it for Saudi currency everywhere in emergencies, and may need it immediately upon your return to the U.S.A.

Clothing

Saudi Arabia is a very hot part of the world most of the year. The presence of two to three million pilgrims during Hajj in rather congested spaces with the inevitable pushing and shoving adds to the discomfort. The Hajj rites, ziyarat (i.e., visiting places of religious or historical interest), shopping, etc. require considerable walking and physical exertion. Consequently, light and airy clothes for street wear are the best.

Take enough changes of clothes to make your stay comfortable, but be careful not to overburden yourself with unnecessary clothes. In the hot Saudi Arabian weather, one set of clothes lasts only a day. Professional laundry facilities are available in Saudi Arabia, though coin-operated laundries are a rarity. Getting your clothes cleaned professionally is quite expensive, particularly as the prices tend to sky-rocket during the Hajj season.

Some do-it-yourself light laundry may be necessary and is, indeed, highly recommended. It is a good idea to pack some laundry detergent, and wash your Ihram and other light items yourself. You will have a considerable amount of spare time before and after Hajj. Use it for “housekeeping”.

For street wear, Indo-Pak shalwar-qamees, and kurta-pajama as well as the Saudi tobes (a one-piece head-to-toe garment) are ideal and are recommended. Tobes are easily available everywhere in Saudi Arabia.

Depending on the time of the year, you may want to pack a light sweater for early morning wear in Medina, which tends to be cool at that time of day in November and December.

Foods/Snacks/Water

There is no real need for you to carry items of food with you. Everything is readily available in Saudi Arabia at a reasonable cost. Saudi authorities do not allow perishable food items to be brought into the country in significant quantities anyway. Packaged and canned products in limited quantities, however, may be brought in by tourists and pilgrims. For emergencies and during periods of long waiting (e.g., at Jeddah airport) carry-on food may come in useful and handy. All kinds of food are available at Jeddah airport also. Some people may, however, prefer to use their own food immediately upon arrival in a foreign land. Some general guidelines are given below:

A couple of packs of cookies and crackers are helpful and provide a good snack. Remove them from their boxes; they occupy much less space as individual rolls. Granola bars, packaged dates, fig newtons and similar items are recommended also.

All varieties of fruits are easily obtainable everywhere in Saudi Arabia and provide much needed flavor and nutrition. Peelable fruits (bananas, oranges etc.) are recommended to minimize exposure to infection from insanitary handling. Wash all fruits carefully before use, and avoid fruits and food exposed to the elements.
Soft drinks of all kinds are obtainable in Saudi Arabia at all major and minor shopping establishments, and are entirely safe to drink. Bottled water is cheap, and should be the only water you drink. Tap water or water from any other source (except, of course, the Zam-Zam water) should not be used for drinking purposes.

Milk, yogurt, buttermilk, ice cream, and other dairy products are widely available, and should be liberally used to supplement your diet.

Take two 18-oz cans of powdered POWERADE or GATORADE with you. Mixed directly with a bottle of cold water, they make for a nutritious and delicious drink and also serve to replenish body salts and chemicals lost through the inevitable heavy perspiration.

Miscellaneous

The following is a list of items of daily use you should carry with you. They will make your life easier, and your stay in Saudi Arabia more comfortable.

multi-blade pocket knife, can opener, nail clipper, small scissors, tooth brush, tooth paste, disposable razors, shaving cream, small mirror, comb, toilet paper (2 rolls), napkins, soap (2 cakes), plastic soap dish, small shampoo bottle, deodorant, chapstick, small vaseline, tooth picks, pocket Quran, tasbeeh, pen, pencil, notebook, slippers (flip-flops, thongs, chappals), sneakers, folding umbrella, sunglasses (or clip-on sunshades), small flash light with extra batteries, travel alarm clock, elastic eye-glass holder, baseball cap, 10 zippered sandwich bags, 4 garbage bags, plastic spoons, laundry detergent, 6 plastic grocery bags, towels (2 large, 2 small), musalla (i.e. prayer rug), one heavy sheet, inflatable pillow.

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Source: islamicity.org

Conditions under which hajj becomes compulsory

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Conditions under which hajj becomes compulsory

 

Lawful Stated Time of Hajj:

  • The time in which Hajj is to be performed is specified during the three months of Shawwal, Dhul-Qi’da, and Dhul-Hijjah. Hence, if a Muslim meets the specified conditions under which Hajj becomes compulsory during this period of time, he should perform Hajj. If he does not perform Hajj during the first year while being to do so, he is obliged to do so the following year.
  • The person obliged to perform Hajj can make his intention for performing Hajj on any day of this specific period of time, should he want to enter Makkah, from whichever Miqat ( the five places of the appointed time), he passes through while entering Mecca.

Islam sets certain conditions under which it becomes compulsory for a Muslim to perform Hajj.

  • One must possess: Physical and mental capability and can assure his family’s safety.
  • Hajj is obligatory for the Muslim who can provide for his family while he is away on pilgrimage. He/she should have the physical capability to travel and endure the journey’s hardships. He/she should be financially stable even after his return. Furthermore, he/she has to feel secure personally, financially, as well as concerning his family. Time must also be taken into consideration. He/she must have enough time to travel to Makkah, perform the rites of Hajj, and return without undue haste.
  • Puberty: Hajj is compulsory on the adult Muslim who has reached mental and physical maturity.
  • Sanity.
  • Freedom

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Common mistakes during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja

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Common mistakes during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja

Common mistakes during Hajj

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijja are the days of blessings and mercy. From their very beginning, we should increase our worship and do our best to get closer to the Almighty. However, it is paramount to avoid falling in the following common mistakes during these days.

Not to pay attention to the importance and blessings of these days and let them pass as any casual days. Muslims should know that there are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.

1 – To be indifferent and not to praise, pray and supplicate. Many people fall in this mistake and they do not increase their supplications, Tasbeeh, and Dhikr as well as night prayers. However, from the very beginning of these days, Muslims should increase their Du’aa and prayers for the Almighty says ( and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah),” (‘Al-Hajj: 28).

Women should avoid Takbeer loudly for it has not been reported that the mothers of the previous believers used to do so. Their voice must be unheard and we should avoid falling in such a mistake.

2 – New manners to say Tkbeer have been introduced as false innovations, one has to avoid saying Takbeer as instructed by these formulae. There is only one manner to say Takbeer that is:

” Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illa Allah wallahu akbar ,walillah alhamd “.

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the greatest and to Allah is all praise.

fasting the days of Tachrik, and this is undesirable as it has been reported that the Prophet ( peace and blessings of Allah be upon him ) said that these days are the Muslims Eid, thus we should eat and drink during them.

3 – fasting a day or two or three days before paying a penalty of the days that we did not fast during Ramadan.  We should pay the penalty and fast the days we missed in Ramadan before fasting during these days.

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How can your Hajj be accepted?

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The things which the Muslim should do so that his Hajj will be accepted are:
He should have the intention of performing Hajj for the sake of Allah. This is the sincerity of intention (ikhlaas). In his Hajj he should follow the way the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) performed Hajj. This is the following (the Sunnah). No righteous deed will be accepted unless it fulfills these two basic conditions: sincerity of intention and following the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allaah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As‑Salaah (Iqaamat‑as‑Salaah) and give Zakaah, and that is the right religion”(al-Bayyinah 98:5)

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Actions are but by intentions, and each man will have but that which he intended.” And he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected.”

This is the most important thing that the pilgrim should seek: sincerity of intention, and following the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say during his Hajj: “Learn from me your rituals.”

Another condition is that Hajj must be done with halaal funds, for Hajj done with haraam funds is haraam and is not permitted. Some of the scholars even said that Hajj is not valid in this case, and one of them said:

“If you do Hajj with money whose source is haraam, you have not done Hajj but your camel has.”

Another condition is that he should avoid what Allah has forbidden because He 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” (al-Baqarah 2:197)

He should avoid whatever Allah has forbidden in general, whether in Hajj or at other times, such as immorality and sin, haraam speech, haraam deeds, listening to music and so on. He should also avoid that which Allaah has forbidden particularly in Hajj, such as al-rafath (intercourse with women), and shaving the head. He should also avoid wearing that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade us to wear in ihraam. In general, he should avoid everything that is forbidden when in ihraam.

The pilgrim should also be kind, generous and easy-going with his wealth and in his actions. He should treat his brothers well as much as possible. He must avoid annoying or disturbing the Muslims, in the holy places and marketplaces, or in the crowded conditions of the mataaf (the area around the Ka’bah where tawaaf is performed) and the mas’aa (the place where saa’i is performed) and around the jamaraat, and in others.

These are all things that are obligatory for the pilgrim, or that he must do. The best way to achieve that is to travel with a knowledgeable person who can remind him about his religion. If that is not possible, then he should read the books of the scholars before going for Hajj, so that he can worship Allaah with knowledge. End quote.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him).

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Women and Hajj

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Women and Hajj

women and hajj despite the equality of men and women in the Islamic rulings, there are some rulings specified for women out of mercy towards them because of their different nature.

  • If a woman still in her Iddah (waiting period) when she is divorced and she wants to go for Hajj, she may go but she has to be accompanied by a Mahram. However, if  the waiting period is for the death of the husband, she cannot go to Hajj for staying at home is one of the obligations of the waiting period for the widow
  • The companionship of a Mahram is an obligation for women when she is performing Hajj. If she has got no Mahram, she cannot perform Hajj and her Hajj is not valid. Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “A woman should not travel except in the company of a Mahram.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
  • Regarding Ihram of the woman, it is it like that of the man with exception to clothes: A woman should assume Ihram like and she is permitted to wear whatever clothes she likes as long as they meet the Islamic rulings. A woman cannot wear Niqaab, Burqa’ or gloves. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “A woman in the state of Ihraam should not wear Niqaab or gloves.” (Bukhaari) .
  • Talbiyah for women: unlike men, women should say Talbiyah in a low voice. and it is impermissible for her to raise her voice when saying Talbiyah in the presence of men.
  • Ramal and Idhtibaa’: The rulings of Ramal and Idhtibaa’ are not applicable to women. She should not perform Ramal, Idhtibaa’ or run during Sa‘i between Al-Safa and Al-Marwa.
  • Shortening hair: A woman has to cut the length of a fingertip from her hair. Ibn Abbas said, “It is not obligatory upon women to shave their hair (after ending Ihraam), rather, it is obligatory upon them to shorten the hair.” (Abu Daawood )
  • If a woman menstruates and does not become pure until she fears missing the company; she should not perform Tawaf until she becomes pure, for the Prophet, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to Aa’isha when she was menstruating: “Perform each rite that the pilgrim performs with exception to performing Tawaf around the House.” (Bukhaari and Muslim). However, if she performs Tawaf, for example, lest she should miss the company, some scholars including Ibn Taymiyah, endorse the idea that it is permissible for her to perform Tawaf because of necessity.

It is worth noting that the meant Tawaf here is Tawaf Al-Ifadhah as there is no need to perform other kinds of Tawaf, such as Arrival Tawaf  (kudum) and Farewell Tawaf (wada’a).

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The virtues of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah

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Dhul-Hijjah is the month of Hajj and it is the 12th month of the Islamic lunar year. It is during this month that the Hajj occurs. This month has got various virtues and particularly its first ten days.

“And remember Allah during the appointed Days. But whosoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on him and whosoever stays on, there is no sin on him if his aim is to do good and obey Allah (fear Him), and know that you will surely be gathered unto Him.” (Al-Baqara: 203)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a special time for devotion. During these ten days, most of the Hajj rites occur. The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah is the Day of Arafah, and the 10th day is Eid Al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). Even for those who are not undertaking Hajj, the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a special time to remember Allah and increase the worship and persist in doing good deeds. They are the days of virtue and righteous deeds. It is the opportunity to correct one’s faults and ask Allah for forgiveness.

Hadith:

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah have been preferred by Allah over all the other days of the whole year. Moreover, Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Bukhari).

Quranic verses and Hadeeth indicate that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are better than all the other days of the year. However,  the last ten days of Ramadan are considered better than them for they include Laylat al-Qadr (“the Night of Power”), which is better than a thousand months.
The virtue of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja is based on many things. Allah himself swears an oath by them: “By the dawn; by the ten nights” (Al-Fajr 1,2)

Further, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) encouraged people to do righteous deeds due to the virtue of these days and the season during which they are situated (Hajj season). He commanded Muslims to recite a lot of Tasbeeh (“Subhan-Allaah”), Tahmeed (“Al-hamdu Lillaah”) and Takbeer (“Allahu akbar”) during these days.

Abdullah ibn Umar reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel (“La ilaaha ill-Allah”), Takbeer and Tahmeed.” (Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is saheeh).

These ten days include the Day of Arafah (Yawm Arafaah), on which Allah perfected His Religion. Fasting on this day expiates the sins of two years. These days also include the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahar).

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I felt new strength after becoming a Muslim

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I felt new strength after becoming a Muslim

I felt new strength after becoming a Muslim

I went to the mosque for a second time and I wasn’t nervous anymore. That evening, I felt so strengthened and said to God that I commit myself to Him as a Muslim; that I want to be faithful in this path. Since then, I have felt new strength.

Sadiqah Ismat, formerly Stephanie, is from Cape Town, South Africa. Here she writes in detail about her journey to Islam, spread into several phases, which she describes as an extremely complex one. This is the concluding part of her story.

I couldn’t resist it anymore and did loads of research, reading lots of conversion stories, and I began to believe it was possible to let go and let God lead me. As my heart was already long won over, all I had to do was to convince my mind.

So, I read Internet articles and the English translation of the Holy Qur’an, I began to pray in the Muslim way. I prayed to Almighty God that He guided me. I asked Him for a breakthrough.

One day, I read an article called “The Miracle of the Qur’an” by Khalid Baig. He said the following: “Prominent scholar Dr. Hamidullah tells of an effort in Germany by the Christian scholars to gather all the Greek manuscripts of the Bible as the original Bible in Aramaic is extinct. They gathered all manuscripts in the world and after examining them reported: “Some two hundred thousand contradictory narrations have been found… of this one-eighth are of an important nature…

“When the report was published, some people established an institute for Qur’anic research in Munich with the goal of examining Qur’an the same way. By 1933, at least 43,000 photocopies of Quranic manuscripts had been collected. While some minor mistakes of calligraphy were found, not a single discrepancy in the text had been discovered!”

After reading this, I was so impressed that there was only one version of the Qur’an throughout Islamic history. The next week I popped in to buy some dress trimming as an excuse to ask about the job and share my interest in Islam. When I purchased the trimmings, I got into a conversation about Islam with a wonderful lady working there, who gave me her sister’s contact number.

Her sister knew someone who worked at a madrassah (Muslim school) and who would be willing to teach me. The lady taught me a thing which touched my heart — she taught me to say “Assalam-o-Alaikum” (peace be upon you).

I went home, weeping with joy. I phoned the sister of the lady I spoke to, and she said she would contact me soon.

It was Friday, and on the very next day, I felt confident enough to say the Shahada. I prayed that I would have the strength in the time to come. God strengthened me soon afterward.

I went to church that Sunday, and with almost everyone, I knew to be Christian and having misconceptions about Islam, I realized I won’t have much support from the members of my community once I embrace Islam.

No wonder I was afraid to tell them that I was about to become a Muslim. God strengthened me soon afterward.

I was really impatient to take the big step. I spoke to my mother first. But I didn’t tell her outright that I was actually Muslim already; I just told her that I am in the process of learning about Islam and that I kept it from her as I was scared what she would say.

She told me that I must be “careful.” I said a few things about Islam to help clear her mind about the misconceptions regarding the true religion, and that I would be the same person and would always love her. She could see I was serious about it.
My dad was annoyed too. It was hard because I always saw him as an open-minded person.

I went to the mosque for the first time, six days after my reversion, and was welcomed warmly to the family of Islam by the Imam. Praying for the first time with others in union, being led by the imam, was an incredible experience, even though I was nervous at first!

Soon, I started learning at madrassah. My sister also found out from my mom that I had embraced Islam, and was stunned, but seemed to accept it later on. But I feel happy that we are still in a good relationship, alhamdulillah.

I went to the mosque for a second time and I wasn’t nervous anymore. That evening, I felt so strengthened and said to God that I commit myself to Him as a Muslim; that I want to be faithful in this path. Since then, I have felt new strength.

I became Muslim because I felt Islam shows us the best way to live. It was truly my heart’s choice. In fact, Islam has set me free. It set me free from an inordinate attachment to images which had plagued me for 15 years and simplified my life.

I am a Muslim. Alhamdulillah.

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A new life after Hajj

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Undoubtedly, Hajj is the best opportunity to wash one’s sins away and refine the soul. He / She who performs Hajj is supposed to be a model for others to be followed.

In fact,  those whom the Almighty favored performing Hajj should be thankful to Allah and incessantly keep imploring and beseeching Him to accept their good deeds. This is crucial, for it reflects their belief that being so favored by the Almighty to accomplish Islam’s fifth pillar is a favor that deserves gratitude and thanks to Allah.

After returning from the holy places, the pilgrims should keep their mind and souls attached to the Almighty, remembering Him constantly for He says: So when you have accomplished your Manasik, remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance. (Al-Baqarah, 200)
He/ She who performed Hajj should be very keen to avoid evil and shameful deeds especially after Allah has forgiven all his previous sins, as a reward of performing Hajj for  “The reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing but Paradise.” (Reported by Muslim).

Upon returning home, the pilgrims should be conscious of Allah when performing all what Allah has instructed them to do of the other worships such as Salah (Prayers), Zakah, Fasting Ramadan, dutifulness to his parents, visiting kith and kin, being charitable and benevolent to Allah’s creatures, and the like of what the Muslim should do.

Hajj is considered as a blessing, the more it entails responsibility on which man will be asked concerning on the Day of Judgment in case the pilgrim misbehaves after returning from Hajj. Almighty Allah says, : Verily, Allah enjoins Al-‘Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allah Alone – Islamic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsan [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin (o.e. all that Allah has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help), and forbids Al-Fahsha’ (i.e all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right), and Al-Munkar (i.e all that is prohibited by Islamic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression). He admonishes you, that you may take heed. (An-Nahl: 90)

Hajj is an obligation once in a lifetime. Therefore, the pilgrim should take that as a golden opportunity which he/she will make use of for the rest of his/her life. He/she should keep remembering the holy places and all the rituals of Hajj for it will strengthen his faith and devotion to the Almighty.

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Why do Muslims go to Muzdalifah during Hajj ?

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This is a view of Muzdalifah, where Hajj pilgrims arrive after sunset from Arafat on the 9th Dhul Hijjah (second day of Hajj)

  • Muzdalifah stretches from the Valley of Muhassar to the mountains of Ma’zamayn. It is four kilometers long and covers an area of 12.25 square kilometers.
  • Referring to Muzalifah, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) mentions in Surah Baqarah in the Quran: “When you leave Arafat, then remember Allah at the Mash’arul Haram.” (‘The Sacred Monument’, referring to Muzdalifah according to Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him))
  • During the farewell Hajj, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) performed the Maghrib and Isha salats together at Muzdalifah. He stayed at the spot where the present Masjid Mash’arul Haram currently is (towards the Qibla side). From there, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: “Although I am staying here, you may stay anywhere throughout Muzdalifah.” [Muslim]
  • During Hajj It is wajib to perform Maghrib and Isha together in Muzdalifah at Isha time. Wuqoof (stay) of Muzdalifah is also wajib and it’s time begins from such Saadiq and ends at sunrise. If one spent even a little portion of their time in Muzdalifah, he/she will be absolved of this obligation. However, it is best to remain until just before sunrise.
  • Although pebbles for pelting the Jamarat may be collected from anywhere, they are best collected from Muzdalifah.
  • Muzdalifah is also called ‘Jam’ as it is a place where people gather.

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Importance of Mina In Hajj

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Importance of Mina In Hajj

This question also relates to how to perform Hajj. As every Muslim who has a desire and ability to perform the hajj should know how to perform hajj, consequently must know the importance of staying at Mina.

This is really an important thing to know why Mina has got importance regarding performing the Hajj and what Hajjis (Pilgrims) do at Mina while performing Hajj. Here we have tried to sum up the story behind this and the covered some actual reality Muslims face in Mina from around the world.

Mina is the best-known place for the role it plays during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. More than a Hundred Thousand air-conditioned and Teflon-coated tents are provided for accommodation to Hujjaj (Pilgrims). The tents are constructed to withstand temperatures of up to 700 degrees Celsius. In the valley of Mina, there is a Jamarat Bridge, where Muslims perform the ritual of stoning the Devil i.e. Shaitan (Iblees).

The story behind stoning the Devil go backs to Prophet Ibrahim A.S when He A.S was going to slaughter his son Hazrat Ismail A.S to fulfill the order of Allah, the Iblees came in his way to make him convince not to scarify his son. However, Hazrat Ibrahim A.S didn’t bother the Devil and stoned him until the Iblees ran away.

Today Muslims of entire world practice the same in Mina, following the Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim A.S. He (A.S) tried to slaughter his son but Allah replace Ismail A.S neck with a sheep, Muslim also slaughter animals like sheep or goat to memorize His A.S scarifying in the way of Allah at the place of Mina, as it is one of the most important parts of the Hajj.

Usually, Muslims spends their first night in the Valley of Mina during the Hajj days. This ritual occurs from the eighth to the twelfth day of the Hajj i.e. Muslim must stay at least two days in Mina. However, at Mina, men and women are not allowed to sleep together.

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Importance of Hajj in Islam

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Hajj is one of the most important pillars of Islam and it is one of the greatest religious duties.
Holy Qur’an says in a short and meaningful sentence:

وَ لِلّه عَلَى النّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَیْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطاعَ اِلَیْهِ سَبیلاً.

It is on people for the sake of Allah to perform Hajj of his house, anyone who is able to undertake the journey to him. (2:196)
And it says below this verse:

وَ مَنْ کَفَرَ فَاِنَّ اللّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ الْعالَمین

And anyone who disbelieves (and renounces Hajj, has impaired himself), Allah is not in need of any of his created ones in the worlds.”(3:97)

The sentence “It is on people for the sake of Allah …” adding the definition of “disbelieves” (infidelity) for people who renounce the obligatory Hajj. This clears shows it’s extraordinary importance Hajj in Islam.

It is interesting that in the interpretation of the holy verse:

وَ مَنْ کانَ فى هذِهِ اَعْمى فَهُوَفِى الاْخِرَةِ اَعْمى وَ اَضَلُّ سَبیلاً.

And anyone who had been blind (from seeing Allah) in this world, will be blind in the hereafter and more deviant from the path”. (17:72)

It has been quoted from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that one of the meanings of the verse is that a person who postpones his obligatory Hajj continuously until his death arrives (he will be blind in the hereafter).1

It has been mentioned in another Hadith: “Anyone who renounces his obligatory Hajj without any excuse will be re-awoken as Jew or Christian”

We read in a Hadith from Imam Sadiq (a.s.): “Persons who perform Hajj and Umrah are guests of Allah. He will grant them their wishes and any prayer that they recite will be accepted. And if they pray for intercession about a person it will be accepted … and if they die in this way Allah will forgive all of their sins”.

Also, we read in another Hadith that:

اِنَّ الْحَجَّ المَبْرُورَ لا یَعْدِلُهُ شَىءٌ وَ لا جَزاءَلَهُ اِلاَّ الجَنَّة.

Nothing compares with the accepted Hajj and it has no reward other than heaven!”

وَ اَنَّ الْحاجَّ یَکُونُ کَیَوم وَلَدَتْهُ اُمُّه.

A Person who performs Hajj purifies himself from sins like the day that he was born”.

And this is the greatest gift, and the best honor and the highest reward.

This Hadith and future ones have been quoted by the late Mohaghegh Yazdi in “al-Urwat al-Wusqa” in the book of Hajj and the late Sheikh Hurr Ameli and other great scholars in the book “Wasael al-Shi’aa” and other famous Hadith books.

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Source: al-islam.org