“Labbayk, Allahuma, labbayk. Here I am, O Allah, at Your service.”

The above quote from the web site you mentioned is one we should memorize and say on a daily basis as we make Hajj in our daily lives, each moment and each place a sacride place to make a pilgrimage when and if needed.

I believe beore we can set out to Mecca or any other place we deem Holy and worthy of Pilgrimage or Hajj we have to deal with ourselves first, then our families, communities, nations and world and see where we need guidaince, education, counseling and consultation for some challenge or difficulty and resolve these fiorst before we go to Mecca for if we have unfinished buisness how can we have an open mind and heart for Mecca.  At least then one can go to Mecca with a free conscience.

This is my opinion of course take it or leave it.

Salam

Anne Marie Elderkin Habibi

One voice for the Earth Personified

Dear Amlh2000,

Thank you for taking the time responding to my post. Really, to me, this means a lot. Anyway, commenting on your last statement first, that this is your opinion and it is up to me whether to take it or leave it. I will certainly take it as this is clear from what I am doing now: responding to you and discussing the issue with you. You know, your words have just reminded me of someone whom I interviewed last Thursday as she was applying for a job at my workplace. She said that she is not willing to put on the hijab until she becomes a "model Muslim". Till then, she will never put on the hijab though she knows that it is a divine order from Allah Almighty. I told her on a very personal level and as a brother to her, "how come you be so sure that you will live till then. Maybe death visits you very soon. Try to give it a second consideration." She really welcomed the idea and promised to think it over.

Coming to your point, before one sets out for hajj he or she should deal with ones self first and settle everything down before getting on board. This is great, but, do you think settling everything down is an easy task or even achievable? Also, when shall one say "Ok, I have finished everything now, I should be going to Makkah." This never happens.

Do you know why, because hajj is not an end in itself. It is a means prescribed by Allah Almighty to help us purify ourselves and come back to Him as clean as ever. It is a means through which man learns alot, feels alot and practices alot. It is an interval, for one to recharge his or her batteries to be able to resume this difficult way that leads to Paradise and Allah's blessings.

Believe me sister, you do not have to wait all that long. Whenever you feel and find you are able to do it, just do it and you will see.

Message was edited by:
Al_Fatih

Alaikoam Salam

Dear Brothers and Sisters it is true going on the Mecca Hajj is very inspiring and cleansing but would a person not be that much happier having dealt with important issues at home and in the community first?

I can imagine that being at the Kabbah and praying at the same time as many thousands must truely be a very moving experience indeed.

Do not get me wrong I am not saying not to go but at least address any unresolved issues or make a commitment to resolve them appropriately with Education, Counseling, consultation and Medical Attention when you come home.

As for the issue of Hijab in truth it is how we behave and the commitment of both sexes lowering our gaze occassionally when conversing and as well limiting body contact etc or in others words respecting each others personal space that is the best security as we should be respected regardless of what we wear or don't wear.  A head scarf does not protect a woman from a man or person with a bad temper or manners.

Women do look lovely with head scarves but I personally find them uncomfortable and seeing as a man can be just as distracting in appearance as a woman why don't they have to cover thier heads, beards and faces too?

LOL

All the best!

Anne Marie Elderkin (Habibi)

One voice for the Earth Personified

I can't go to Hajj cause i owe money from credit cards i got before i became muslim,i was wondering if i die before i finish paying will i be allowe to go to paradise?

Dear Sisters and Brothers though Hajj to Mecca is highly recommended I highly recommend making a Hajj or sacride Pilrimage to our lives, our family, friends, community, nation and world and see where we need assistance or they need assistance and depending on your situation try volunteering with the chores at home, taking anger and stress management works, good communication and conflict resolution skills building workshops or training as well as parenting and relationship skills training if you are in need of them.

Sometimes the hardest journey is the one at home, like going to your counseling appointments.

Salam

Hi Anne Marie,

I very much agree with you!  Wasn't there a song with a similar theme from "Hair"?  More or less, tend to the problems in your own backyard.  It might not make international news but it will make a difference in your community and they will commend you for that!

Susan

Mariam,

What do you think?   Any thoughts at all?  Most of the time you talk about being in financial straits.  Why would you be denied paradise because of poverty?  

Susan 

Salaams sis

You can go for haj if you have the means to pay your debt.

Make dua Allah will take you to the Holy land ,always have that hope and inshullah Allah will give you the call.

i was wondering if i die before i finish paying will i be allowe to go to paradise?

Allah is most merciful  he will allow you to enter remember it is not how rich you are or how por you are,but it is only througe the mercy of Allah that we will inshaullah go to Paradise .

Remember the passport to paradise is Dua it has the power to do all things.

 As salamu alekum

Hajj is no doubt the Fifth pillar of Islam.

Hajj is encumbent on those who are "able and by the means" to do so.

Hajj does not require perfection - but it is not unlike salat - which requires "khushoo' " - humility and sincerity - and not unlike fasting which requires khushoo' ". Hajj is not unlike Zakah in that you have to take from your "wealth" and spend in the path of Allah to travel to and from Makkah. In fact the reality of Hajj that it includes the first four pillars of Islam - shahadah, salat, zakat and saum.

So, if you observe the first four pillars diligently and you have the financial means - then indeed you are ready for hajj. Yes, there are always things happening and one cannot put our all the fires in one's community before one embarks on this holy and glorious journey. One thing we must all do and realise is that we must do it for the sake of Allah and part of it means to do it for the sake of the ummah - so go for hajj and in benefiting from it (and there are very many benifits) return to one's community and passing on your own experiences and upliftment to uplift one's community.

Ah yes, I can go on and on - and trust me - Hajj is the most glorious experience from tawaf to arafah - to meeting so many different people and nationalities - but indeed the Ka'abah is a magnate and one is always drawn to it, longing for it and shedding tears of joy and sadness when people from one's family and community go for Hajj.

And Allah knows Best