… Continued

From the virtues of Hajj:

Islam states that a person is rewarded in accordance to the hardship he undergoes, and thus, since Hajj is one of the hardest acts of worship, it has a great reward, high position and several virtues. The virtues of Hajj include:

1-   Entering Paradise is the reward of a valid and accepted Hajj: Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet said: "Performing two ‘Umrahs expiates the sins committed in the interval between them, and (entering) Paradise is the reward of a valid and accepted Hajj." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

2-   Hajj wipes out previous sins: When ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas, may Allah be pleased with him, came to the Prophet to give the pledge of accepting Islam, he set a condition that he should be granted forgiveness first. The Prophet said to him: "Do you not know that (embracing) Islam wipes out all that is before it (previous misdeeds), that emigration wipes out all that is before it and that Hajj (pilgrimage) wipes out all that is before it?" [Muslim]

3-   Hajj is the best form of Jihaad for women: ‘Aa’ishah, the Mother of the Believers, may Allah be pleased with her, said, "‘O Messenger of Allah! We see that Jihaad is the best of deeds. Should we (women) not participate in it?’ The Prophet replied; 'For you, the best Jihaad is an accepted Hajj.'" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

4-   Hajj and ‘Umrah wipe out poverty and sins: It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Perform Hajj and ‘Umrah continuously for they wipe out poverty and sins just as fire wipes out the filth of iron." [At-Tabaraani and Ad-Daaraqutni]

5- The pilgrim is under the protection of Allah: Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet said: "Three (types) of people are under the protection of Allah: A man who goes out to one of the Masjids of Allah, a man who goes out for fighting in the cause of Allah and a man who goes out for Hajj." [Saheeh Hadeeth] [Abu Nu‘aym: Hilyat Al-Awliyaa’]

These are some of the many virtues of Hajj, foremost among which is that the supplication of the pilgrim is answered. Hajj is one of the best righteous deeds, the people who perform Hajj and ‘Umrah are the visitors and guests of Allah The Almighty and He has pledged to generously host and honor His visitors. Moreover, the reward of a prayer at the Sacred House of Allah equals the reward of 100,000 prayers at other Masjids, besides the great reward of Tawaaf (circumambulating the Ka‘bah), reciting the Quran, remembering Allah, shaving, sacrificing, standing at ‘Arafah as well as other rituals of Hajj.

The rationales and secrets of Hajj:

1-   Teaching the Muslim to fear Allah and honor His Symbols: Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {That [is so]. And whoever honors the Symbols of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.} [Quran 22: 32]

2-   Teaching one to be a slave of Allah, surrender to Him and follow His Sharee‘ah (legislation): Many of the rites of Hajj could be questioned by the Muslim and he may wonder about the rationale behind them, such as removing clothes and adornments, Tawaaf, Sa‘y (walking between As-Safa and Al-Marwah mountains), standing at ‘Arafah for a specific time, throwing the pebbles, spending the night in Mina, and so on. However, he performs these rites with complete submission and faith, even while he is unaware of the rationale behind them.

3-   Boosting the brotherhood of Islam: Pilgrims from different parts of the world meet in one place, wearing the same dress, seeking one goal and cooperate with each other to the utmost. All these aspects boost the ties of brotherhood among Muslims.

4- Remembering the Hereafter and its terrors: During Hajj, there is overcrowding, pushing, loud sounds, fear, weeping, supplication, removing adornments and clothes, hardship, tiredness, waiting for the Mercy of Allah The Almighty – all of which is a reminder of the Hereafter.

5- Remembering Allah The Almighty: Remembering Allah is the greatest goal of all acts of obedience, and its opposite is heedlessness. Many pilgrims are heedless while performing the Hajj rituals and they only perform superficial acts. Some pilgrims could even feel annoyance at some rituals and thus they return after Hajj, neither increasing their faith in Allah The Almighty nor drawing closer to Him.

These are only a few of the rationales and inner dimensions of Hajj, but they are sufficient for those who are mindful of their Lord and have sentient hearts, alive with the light of true faith.

Hajj to the House: Virtues and Secrets - I