|
Allah
Most High has assigned a great reward for Al-Hajj Al-mabrur,
as evidenced by the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings
be upon him) “…There is no reward for Al-Hajj Al-mabrur
except Paradise.” (Al-Bukhari)
The
meaning of “birr” (from which the word mabrur is
derived) involves the following:
1.
Demonstrating good behavior towards people, fulfilling one’s
duties towards others, and giving them their rights. In a hadith:
“Al-Birr is good behavior.” (Muslim) In the Musnad,
from Jabir, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was
asked: “What makes Hajj mabrur, Messenger of Allah?” He
said, [Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting
of) salam.] (Fath al-Bari, 4/446)
2.
Doing much worship and having the trait of taqwa (piety,
righteousness, and fear of Allah), as opposed to sinfulness. Allah
Most High says: [Enjoin
ye righteousness (al-birr) upon mankind while ye yourselves
forget (to practise it)?]
(Al-Baqarah 2:44).
Not
all who make Hajj will have their Hajj accepted. As Ibn `Umar (may
Allah be pleased with him) said to Mujahid when he said, “How
many Hajjis!” “How few. Rather say, how many riders!” (Musannaf
`Abdur-Razzaq 8836)
Sincerity
and Following the Sunnah
Sincerity
to Allah and seeking His reward and pleasure alone are important
elements of acceptable Hajj. The Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) supplicated: “Allahumma hajjatan la riyaa’a feeha
wa la sum`ah” (O Allah, (enable me to make) Hajj with no riya’
[showing off with the desire that others witness one’s
good acts] or sum`ah [showing off with the desire
that others hear about one’s good acts].” (Ibn Majah)
Following
the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in all matters is
also an important factor to render acts acceptable. The Prophet
said, “He who innovates something in this matter of ours that
is not of it will have it rejected” (Muslim) Also, “Take
your rituals (from me), for I do not know whether I will perform
Hajj after this one.” (Muslim) The Companions (may Allah be
pleased with them) comprehended this matter well. `Umar said when
he kissed the Black Stone, “By Allah, I know that you are a
stone, you bring neither harm nor benefit, and if I had not seen
the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) kiss you,
I would not have kissed you.” (Al-Bukhari)
Preparation
for Hajj
The
servant’s preparation for Hajj is one of the most important
matters that helps in performing the pilgrimage in the legislated
manner and ensuring that his or her Hajj is, insha’ Allah,
accepted. Among the matters that require emphasis in
preparation for Hajj are the following:
a.
Examining and rectifying one’s relationship with Allah Most High
by sincerely repenting and fulfilling the well-known conditions of
repentance.
b.
Seeking His help and guidance, manifesting one’s need for Him,
fearing Him and hoping in His reward. This is among the most
important matters, for it is not permissible for one to rely
solely on one’s material means.
c.
Relieving oneself of obligations towards others, one’s trusts
and debts.
d.
Writing one’s will, as travel exposes one to various dangers.
e.
Preparing provision for those for whom the pilgrim is responsible
until he or she returns, advising them with good and appointing
someone to take care of their matters, so that the pilgrim’s
concern and attention may be devoted to performance of the
pilgrimage.
f.
Taking good lawful provision, for provision earned through haram
(unlawful) means may cause one’s worship not to be accepted.
Today
we live at a time when haram earnings have become
widespread and questionable wealth has increased, except for those
that Allah has mercy upon. So let every servant fear his or her
Lord and remember that “Allah is Good and does not accept
except what is good.” (Muslim)
It
is recommended for a servant to increase his or her lawful
provisions according to ability in order to not depend on others
and to show kindness to the weak (by giving money in charity).
g.
Selecting a righteous company that will help one in moments of
weakness, remind one when one forgets, teach one when one does not
know, order one to do good and forbid one from evil. So let the
servant beware of the following two types of companies: a corrupt
company that leads to sinfulness and falsehood, and a company that
spends its time in what brings no benefit in the hereafter.
h.
Learning rules of Hajj and its manners, as well as rules related
to travel, including qasr (shortening Prayers), jam` (combining
Prayers), tayammum (dry ablution), wiping over socks in
ablution, etc. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“Whoever Allah wishes good, He gives him understanding of the
deen (religion).” (Al-Bukhari)
What
helps a person in this is obtaining books and tapes by people of
knowledge and accompanying them while performing Hajj. Likewise,
it is helpful to accompany people who are familiar with places and
times of different Hajj rituals.
*
Based on the Article: So That Our Hajj May Be Accepted By Faysal
Ibn `Ali Al-Ba`dani. Excerpted with some modifications from www.Islaam.Com |
