Practical Hajj Guide

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “And there is no reward for al-Hajj al-Mabroor (the accepted/righteous Hajj) except Jannah (paradise)”. (Agreed upon)

Dear Pilgrim: May Allaah grant you every good. Do you want your Hajj to be accepted?!

In that case, place the following two questions before you and be honest and sincere in your response!

1. How can your Hajj be performed in accordance with the guidance of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)?

2. How can you protect it so it will be accepted and not be rejected/wiped out?

You may be surprised by this introduction, but let me say that very often we find pilgrims who enter the state of ihram (The sacred state of practicing great self-denial into which a Muslim must enter before performing Hajj or ‘Umrah), however, they do not seem to realize that they have entered an act of worship. An act which requires them to abstain from the prohibitions of Allaah and thus they must be well aware of the guidance of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) regarding it. As a result of this, many come out of the Hajj unchanged (i.e. they do not abandon bad habits they had prior to the Hajj) and this is a practical sign that their Hajj was incomplete, if not unacceptable, may Allaah forbid.

Thus, there are several matters you need to be aware of and practice:

At-Tawheed First and Last

“Labbaika laa Shareeka Lak”- Here I am at Your service (O Allaah), You have no Partner.

Dear Pilgrim, you enter into the state of ihram and proceed towards Makkah chanting these words which indicate the Oneness and Uniqueness of Allaah.

Therefore, you must clearly realize the meaning of these words in all your sayings and actions (outwardly as well as inwardly). You must glorify and exalt Allaah above all things, attach your heart to Him and direct each and every form of worship only towards Him alone. So you place your trust in Him completely, you fill your heart with love for Him, you turn to Him for all your needs, you pray, bow and prostrate only to Him, and you give charity, offer sacrifices and take oaths only in His name. Know that no “saint”, prophet or angel can help you. Be aware that Allaah is to be loved more than anyone or anything. Allaah is the Creator and He controls and manages all affairs.

Allaah says:

(which means)

Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims." (6:162-163)

Whomsoever Allaah wills good for, He opens for them the door to humility, humbleness and poverty before Him. So one should feel that they are indeed poor, worthless and helpless before Allaah. We should rely on His Mercy, realizing that if not for His mercy, we would be doomed. We are totally dependant on Allaah while He is free of all needs.

Know also that glorifying Allaah means that you also glorify His commands and prohibitions. Allaah says within the context of the verses on Hajj:

(which means): Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do – Allaah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allaah. And fear Me, O you of understanding. (2:197)

So Allaah has forbidden you from three things: no rafath (sexual relations as well as lewd speech and actions), no fusooq (no sins/disobedience in general) and no disputing/arguing. He then commanded you to fear Him (i.e. keep your duty to Him), therefore, strive to do as you’ve been commanded and abstain from that which He has forbidden for you and you will be successful Inshaa Allaah.

And know-may Allaah guide you to his obedience- that you should perform the Hajj while exalting, glorifying and praising Allaah and feeling humble and needy before the Lord of the worlds.

(to be continued)