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Important Etiquettes of Hajj

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Important Etiquettes of Hajj

Performing Hajj to the House of Allaah The Almighty entails following certain etiquettes. If the pilgrim observes and fulfills these etiquettes, he would return, Allaah willing, having a great number of good rewards and accepted deeds.
Amongst them are:

  • One should start by repenting sincerely of all sins and misdeeds.
  • A pilgrim should set right any wrongs he has done towards people, restore the rights of people and pay off whatever he can of the debts he owes them.
  • One should also return anything that has been entrusted to him and seek forgiveness from anyone with whom he has any incorrect dealings.
  • He should write his will and have it witnessed, and he should appoint someone to pay off the debts that he is unable to pay.
  • He should also leave enough funds with his family and those whom he should provide for, such as his wife, parents and children, to cover their needs until he returns.

Amongst the other recommended manners is that the pilgrim should strive hard to please his parents and those whom he is obliged to honor and obey, such as a teacher and his relatives. A pilgrim should also strive to ensure that his funds are Halaal (lawful) and free from any suspicion. If he goes against this and goes to perform Hajj with unlawful wealth, it will not be a proper accepted Hajj.
Provision and money: Thepilgrim should take sufficient provisions and money with him, so that he can share them with those who are in need in such blessed places and help the destitute.
The pilgrim should also avoid arguing over the goods he buys. One should be easygoing in buying and selling, taking and giving. This is because the people of such a blessed destination wait for the season of Hajj to obtain the benefits of Hajj and benefit the pilgrims by providing them with the necessary food, suitable clothes, and necessary tools in return for a reasonable and an acceptable gain.
Moreover, the pilgrim should learn about how Hajj has to be performed, i.e. one should learn its rulings, what is permissible, prohibited, obligatory, and recommended for him, since no act of worship is valid if it is done by the one who does not know it properly. A person should take a book about the correct manner of performing the rituals and their aims with him, and he should read it constantly. A pilgrim should also ask scholars about all the acts of Hajj. Muhammad Al-Hajjaar affirms this in his book Sawt Al-Minbar, saying, “Whoever does not adhere to this and takes it lightly, it is feared that his Hajj will not be valid because he failed to fulfill one of the conditions and pillars of Hajj. Moreover, many pilgrims may imitate some of the common people of Makkah.”
Good companions: The pilgrim should also adopt a kind and pleasant attitude and avoid arguing or pushing and shoving people on the road and near sources of water.
The pilgrim should guard his tongue against insults, backbiting, cursing his mount or any other kind of foul speech, for the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or commit any evil will go back free of sin as on the day his mother gave birth to him.”
Furthermore, the pilgrim should seek a companion who desires good and hates evil, so that if he forgets, he can remind him, if he remembers, he can help him, and if he happens to be a man of knowledge, he should stick with him, because he will help him to perform a valid Hajj and adopt noble morals. He will also help him with his knowledge and good conduct to avoid bad attitudes that may disturb him throughout the journey.
Muhammad Al-Hajjaar says, “It is strange that you see many wealthy Muslims, who do not know the rulings and rites of Hajj, spend wealth in abundance in traveling for Hajj without there being any compelling necessity for this along with [an element of] objectionable extravagance, while they do not spend even a little in seeking a companion who may teach them what they need in their journey to Hajj, so that they may receive the reward of learning and return with a proper accepted Hajj. ”
Truly, this is something for all of us to reflect over.

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Hajj: Ancient journey in modern times

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Hajj Ancient journey in modern times

As the fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj is a must for those faithful who are physically and financially able to make the journey. Over the years, the numerical rise of the pilgrims has been phenomenal. From the hundred thousand plus who performed Hajj with the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) in 10 A. H., we have some 2.5 million doing so today every year. The number would be 10 times more if the Saudi government had not enforced a pilgrim quota for Muslim countries due to logistical reasons.
Speaking of soulfulness of Hajj, the year Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) performed Hajj, a Companion may Allaah be pleased with him fell from his camel, which accidentally stomped on him breaking his neck. The Companion may Allaah be pleased with him died of injuries. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Bathe his body with water and Sidr (lotus tree leaves) and bury him with both garments. Do not cover his head, nor touch him with camphor … for verily he will be returned (to Allaah) on the Day of Resurrection in the state of Talbiyah! (saying Labbayk Allaahumma Labbayk).” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
In another incident, ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘Aas may Allaah be pleased with him narrated: “When Islam entered my heart, I went to the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and said, `Give me your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.’ The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) spread his hand, but I withdrew mine. He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said, `What’s wrong, ‘Amr?’ I said, `I want to make a condition.’ ‘And what is that?’ he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said. I said, `That Allaah will forgive me.’ Then the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Did you not know that Islam wipes out what came before it, and that Hijrah (migration) wipes out what came before it and that Hajj wipes out what came before it!” [Muslim]
He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) also said: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression, he returns (free from sin) as the day his mother born him.” [Al-Bukhaari]
The reward for an accepted Hajj, said the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is nothing but Jannah (Paradise).
This is the key: The reward of Jannah comes from an accepted Hajj and acceptance results from the purity of intention and adherence to Allaah’s Commands. Some of us come from the Hajj feeling an inner tranquility; some feeling uneasy that they were not always patient during the Hajj; others expressing unhappiness at not having received the promised comfort from their tour operator.
Western pilgrims generally get plenty of advice about what to do, and what to expect during Hajj. Yet there is no substitute to the awe-inspiring, hair raising personal experience. Despite its challenges, our Hajj is a picnic compared to that performed by the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and Muslims of earlier times. Then were no airplanes or cars, no five-star hotels; even ships were flimsy by today’s standards. Traveling over sea and through desert exposed the pilgrims to pirates and robbers. The journey to Makkah took weeks. People bade farewell to pilgrims as if they were embarking on a journey of no return.
The Quran refers to the travels of earlier pilgrims thus (what means): “And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.” [Quran 22: 27]
Today, most passengers fly in comfortable jetliners, where they are served with lavish amount of food, beverages and snacks. They are then transported in air-conditioned buses and housed in cozy hotels that are within walking distance from the Haram (the Sacred Area). Yet some of us complain that that wasn’t good enough, or that they did not get their meals on time.
What’s the purpose of Hajj? Is it to test our physical endurance, financial sacrifice, or to show us the equality of the Muslim Ummah (Nation) before Allaah? Some have compared the standing in ‘Arafah, the most important ritual of the Hajj, to the humanity’s facing its Creator on the Day of Judgment. Although there is nothing like the Day of Judgment in our experience, the comparison points to something important.
Consider the first two verses of the chapter of Al-Hajj (which mean):
“O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing. On the Day you see it, every nursing mother will be distracted from that [child] she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people [appearing] intoxicated while they are not intoxicated; but the punishment of Allaah is severe.” [Quran 3: 22]
During the Hajj, we do become engrossed in our own affairs to the extent of being selfish, although only a tiny fraction of humanity is gathered there compared to the Day of Judgment, when everyone will be present. That day will be like no other. Reflecting on the first verse of the Chapter of Al-Hajj makes it quite apparent why Allaah exhorts us to fear Him. Fearing and obeying Allaah in this life seems to be the only option if we want to be spared the frightfulness and grief of the Day of Gathering.
Hajj also reminds us that if the travel is difficult and requires a lot of preparation and provision, what is it that we have prepared for that final journey? While everyone may not be able to go for Hajj, the entire humanity, without exception, will have to die and make the final journey.
When someone anxiously asked the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) about the end of time, he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) returned the question: “What have you prepared for it”? [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
No matter the amount of money and preparation we make for Hajj, it is the sincere intention that counts the most. As for the final journey, the best provision is what Allaah has prescribed in the verse (which means): “…And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allaah. And fear Me, O you of understanding.” [Quran 2: 197]
By providing a glimpse of that journey, Hajj should help us prepare for it. Among other things, Hajj instills in our hearts the Taqwa (piety) needed for that journey. It is the story of man’s triumph over Satan and his whispers, of Prophet Ibraaheem’s may Allaah exalt his mention supreme sacrifices, a tale of his virtuous wife Haajar’s devotion to Allaah, and righteous son Ismaa’eel’s may Allaah exalt his mention obedience to Allaah’s Command. It is a mirror in which we can see the history of the Ka’bah, the House of Allaah that Ibraaheem and his son, may Allaah exalt their mention, built. It’s a reaffirmation of how Allaah elevates the remembrance of His sincere servants and endears them in the hearts of posterity. The House of Allaah that Prophet Ibraaheem and his son, may Allaah exalt their mention, built is a living miracle. It is a witness to the unceasing, uninterrupted glorification of Allaah.
It is important that we remember the spiritual aspect of Hajj and refrain from pursuing excessive physical comfort. Hajj is not a vacation, but a duty we owe to Allaah. The deluxe packages, five-star flights, and comfortable buses do not contribute to Hajj’s acceptance; in fact they may distract from Hajj.
During Hajj, we should concentrate on the rituals, overlook others’ mistakes, and seek Allaah’s forgiveness. A simple reflection while standing in ‘Arafah can become an atoning experience. Upon return from Hajj, we should avoid dwelling on the negatives. A tranquil and forgiving heart and upright actions would be good signs, Allaah willing, that the Hajj was accepted.

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Sincerity in Hajj

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Sincerity in Hajj

Sincerity in Hajj

How can the pilgrim be sincere towards Allaah in performing the rituals? If he wants to do business and seek to earn a living as well as doing Hajj, does that mean that he is not being sincere towards Allaah?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Sincerity (ikhlaas) is a necessary condition in all acts of worship, and no act of worship is valid if anything or anyone is associated with Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord” [al-Kahf 18:110]
“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]
“So worship Allaah (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allaah’s sake only.
3. Surely, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allaah only” [al-Zumar 39:2-3]
According to a saheeh hadeeth qudsi, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah, may He be blessed and exalted, says: ‘I am so self-sufficient that I am in no need of having an associate. Thus he who does an action for someone else’s sake as well as Mine will have that action renounced by Me to him whom he associated with Me.'”
What is meant by sincerity towards Allaah in worship is that nothing motivates the person to do that act of worship except love and veneration for Allaah, and the hope for His reward and pleasure. Hence Allaah says of Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):
“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. And those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allaah and (His) Good Pleasure” [al-Fath 48:29 – interpretation of the meaning]
No act of worship, whether it is Hajj or anything else, will be accepted if a person is doing it to show off to other people, or he is doing it so that other people will see him and say, “How pious So and so is, how much he worships Allaah” and so on.
No worship will be accepted if the motivation behind it is to see places or see people, or other such things that are contrary to sincerity. Hence the pilgrims who go to the Sacred House must make their intention sincerely for the sake of Allaah and not make it their intention to see the Muslim world, or to do business, or so that it will be said that So and so goes for Hajj every year, and so on.
There is nothing wrong with a person seeking the bounty of Allaah by doing business whilst travelling to the Sacred House, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“There is no sin on you if you seek the Bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage by trading)” [al-Baqarah 2:198]
What goes against sincerity is when a person’s only intention is to business and earn money. This is a person who seeks worldly gain by doing actions that have to do with the Hereafter. This means that the act of worship is invalid or that it is sorely lacking. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Whosoever desires (by his deeds) the reward of the Hereafter, We give him increase in his reward, and whosoever desires the reward of this world (by his deeds), We give him thereof (what is decreed for him), and he has no portion in the Hereafter” [al-Shoora 42:20]

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