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In
the first few days, the pilgrims perform one of the best acts of
worship to draw one closer to Almighty Allah—Hajj. During Hajj,
the pilgrims wear simple unsewn clothes and go to mount `Arafah
with bitter tears pouring down their cheeks, expressing shame for
the sins and slips they have committed, repenting and seeking
forgiveness from Almighty Allah in all languages.
Then
they go to Muzdalifah to spend the night there. In the morning
they go to Mina to throw the pebbles, circumambulate the
sanctified Ka`bah, and perform Sa`i. It is one of the best and
most sublime journeys one can ever undertake. Pilgrims return home
extremely joyful at the great rewards Almighty Allah has bestowed
upon them during Hajj.
Allah
Almighty says, [Say: In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy,
therein let them rejoice. It is better than what they hoard]
(Yunus 10:58). This verse indicates that the divine rewards that
Almighty Allah confers on His worshipers are better than this
world and its temporary pleasures. All pleasures and luxuries of
this world are nothing in comparison to the rewards of the
Hereafter.
I
would like to direct my speech to the pilgrims of Almighty
Allah’s Sacred House.
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You
are to praise Almighty Allah for enabling you to perform Hajj.
He has bestowed many blessings on you and has given you much
of His bounty. He, the Almighty, says, [And ye have no good
thing but is from Allah] (An-Nahl 16:53). He, Most High,
also says, [And if ye would count the favor of Allah, ye
cannot reckon it. Lo! Allah is indeed Forgiving, Merciful]
(An-Nahl 16: 18).
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You
are to have positive thoughts about your Lord and strong hope
that He, the Almighty, will forgive you and accept your Hajj.
It was also reported on the authority of Jabir (may Allah be
pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) said three days before his death, “No one of
you should die unless he thinks well about Almighty Allah”
(Muslim).
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On
finishing all acts of Hajj and being ready to go home, you are
to beware returning to sinning and wrongdoing. Do not be like
the woman who [unravelleth the thread, after she hath made
it strong] (An-Nahl 16:92). Contemplate the example of
this woman, how idiotic of her to exert a great effort weaving
threads of wool together, and after she had made them into a
strong piece of cloth, she untied the threads so that all the
effort she had exerted became no use. Learn from this example,
fellow pilgrims, and do not lose the rewards you have piled
during Hajj by returning to sinning afterwards.
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After
Hajj, dear pilgrims, you are reborn, and supposed to begin a
new, sinless life, so beware of falling into sins and
deviating from the right path. How benevolent is it to
continue doing good deeds and how awful is it to sin after
doing good deeds.
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Bear
in mind that there is a sign for accepted Hajj (Hajj mabroor).
In this regard, when Al-Hassan Al-Basri (may Allah have mercy
upon him) was asked “What is the sign of accepted Hajj?”
he answered, “It is to return from Hajj shunning worldly
luxuries and pleasures and earnestly inclined to do what
benefits one in the Hereafter.” So, your Hajj should prevent
you from sinning, and motivate you to do extra good deeds,
bearing in mind that a true believer has no deadline for good
deeds except death.
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Pilgrims
should return home pure-hearted, with the best behavior,
rational thinking, and good characteristics. They should
review their past life and become more kind and understanding
to their family members, doing their best to do what is right,
honest, and fair in reality and appearance. They who return
from Hajj with these noble traits have really learned the
wisdom and lessons of Hajj.
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All
acts of Hajj remind pilgrims of their duties towards Almighty
Allah, and strengthen their hearts with faith in the fact that
there is no god but Almighty Allah and that they are to submit
to Him, Most High, heart and soul. He is the only One to
resort to when facing difficulties. Pilgrims who comprehend
these meanings in the journey of Hajj are not to resort to or
offer sacrifices for any one but Almighty Allah after
returning home.
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Pilgrims
who refrain from violating restrictions of ihram are to take
into consideration that there are other permanent restrictions
and limits that they must not transgress throughout the rest
of their lives. Allah Almighty says, [These are the limits
(imposed by) Allah. Transgress them not. And whoso
transgresseth Allah’s limits, such are wrongdoers]
(Al-Baqarah 2:229).
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Pilgrims
are not to adopt a principle or ideology that contradicts
Allah’s religion, for He Most High does not accept a creed
other than Islam.
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Pilgrims
declare during Talbiyah that they are at Allah’s service,
and are to adhere to this in all aspects of their lives. This
is to say, wherever they are, they are to comply with Almighty
Allah’s teachings without hesitation. They are to yield
willingly to these teachings and say, “We hear and obey.”
As
for non-pilgrim Muslims who miss the blessed days of Hajj and
spend them in sinning and succumbing to worldly temptations, do
they not reflect on the crowds of pilgrims while shunning
worldly appearances, lifting their hands towards heaven in
sincere supplications to Almighty Allah with tears falling down
their faces asking Him Most High to forgive them? Do they not
compare their state of heedlessness to the state of mindfulness
of the pilgrims who glorify Almighty Allah and praise Him Most
High? Those sinful people should review their attitude towards
religion in these blessed days, which are considered the best
days ever of this world in Islam.
They
should believe that there is still a long time for them to
repent. Rather, they should think about the day when each will
be left alone in his grave. You do not know when death will
come, so, repentance should be sought every now and then and you
should reform your lives before there comes a time when nothing
will avail you in this respect. Remember, Almighty Allah waits
during daytime for those who have sinned during nighttime to
repent to Him, so that He Most High may forgive them; and He
waits at nighttime for those who have sinned during daytime to
repent to Him so that He Most High may forgive them.
As
to worshipers who offer different kinds of acts of worship, they
should stick to the right path and continue what they are doing
in this regard, beware of showing off and winning people’s
admiration. Bear in mind that a tiny, sincere good act would be
acceptable in Almighty Allah’s sight, while a great one made
with an air of showing off would be rendered unacceptable. That
is why some righteous predecessors would say, “He who wants to
perfect the good deeds he offers should devote them to Almighty
Allah alone.” So, worshipers should always be concerned about
whether their deeds are rendered acceptable to Almighty Allah or
not.
It
was reported on the authority of `A’ishah, Mother of the
Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), that she asked the
Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) about those who are
referred to in the verse [And those who give that which they
give with hearts afraid because they are about to return unto
their Lord] (Al-Mu’minun 23:60). She said, “Are they those
who drink and rob others?” He (peace and blessings be upon him)
answered, “No, daughter of As-Saddiq. They are those who
offer fasts and prayers and give sadaqah, yet they fear
that those deeds may not be accepted from them. Those people [race
for the good things, and they shall win them in the race]“
(Al-Mu’minun 23:61) (At-Tirmidhi).
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Imam and preacher of the Prophet’s Mosque |
