Haj is a journey massive in scope that millions upon millions of people undertake year after year from each and every corner of the world. It is also a tremendous display of true devotion to Allah that is unmatched anywhere else in the world. There quite simply is no other journey like it because it leads to the most unique place in the world, Baitullahi Al-Haraam, The Holy House of Allah in Makkah.It is an answer to a most ancient call and invitation from Ar-Rahmaan, the Most Merciful Himself. You as a visitor will be His guest and the reward you may reap for your trek will be like that which none can provide except Him, Most High is He above all imperfection! Your journey to Makkah is to perform the rites as shown to us by the last of the Messengers of Allah, Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam). These rites began from the time of the father of all prophets and messengers to come after him, Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam). It was he who made the call to us in fulfilment of the command of Allah to him, namely to establish the Haj to the Holy House for all human beings.It is however, only the true believers who answer the call and perform the rites correctly in letter and in spirit and truly benefit from this journey. It is our hope to assist you in fulfilling your noble intention of Haj in the best manner possible according to the most authentic and reliable manner as proven in the life of the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) and his noble companions (radiallaahu anhum ajma’een). It is your duty to find out all that you can in order to perform this religious duty and it is our duty to do our best to help. Take advantage of those around you among the knowledgeable and righteous people to ask about whatever you may need assistance with and they will undoubtedly assist you.Haj: Its Meaning and MeritsVerily the first House appointed for mankind was that at Bakka, full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-’Aalameen. In it are manifest signs, the Maqaam of Ibraahim; whosoever enters it he attains security. And Haj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses. [Ale-Imran 96 -97]And proclaim to mankind the Haj. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every deep and distant mountain highway. That they may witness things that are of benefit to them, and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days. [Haj 27 -28]Haj is the fifth pillar of Islam. Allah has made it compulsory on those who are able from among His worshippers. He said: And Haj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka’aba) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence). Haj is not obligatory more than once in a lifetime according to the statement of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in an authentic report: Haj is once and whoever performs it more it is an additional good.Allah has also said: And complete Haj and Umrah as a duty owed to Allah. (2:196) The practice of delaying the Haj to the latter part of one’s life is unfortunate and an error. It is a clear lack of understanding for a person to live their youth in an irreligious manner or as they believe ‘enjoying life’ only to leave religion for their old age. This strips the meaning of this major rite away as it does the other rites of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, Hasten to perform the duty of Haj for verily none of you knows what will happen to him.The Merits of HajHaj is a journey not made for any purely personal end or to fulfil any base desire. It is intended solely for Allah and a fulfilment of a duty prescribed by Him. No one can prepare himself for it unless he has a true love of Allah in his heart as well as a fear of Him and he feels strongly that Haj is a religious rite ordained by Allah and an obligation. Leaving everything behind is a demonstration of the love for Allah that a servant has. He will have a willingness to sacrifice and face hardships and forego the comforts of home for the sake of Allah. Haj combines the physical and the monetary aspects of worship so it develops both spiritual and moral goals in a person such as sincerity, piety, humility, obedience, sacrifice, and submission to the will of Allah.The self-control, humility, and obedience produced by prayer and fasting are all present in the Haj as well as is the cleansing of greed from the heart as is done by giving Zakaat. The pilgrim spends in the way of Allah and enjoys the privilege of offering many prayers in the great Masjid wherein prayers are far superior to that of those given anywhere else in the world. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has stated that a single prayer in Al-Masjid Al-Haraam is worth 100,000 prayers performed elsewhere. The greatest merits of Haj however are the purification of sins and a guaranteed place in Al-Jannah.The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has said: The person who makes pilgrimage to Allah’s House without committing any acts of indecency or disobedience to Allah will return home as he was on the day his mother bore him and the reward for a Haj Mabroor (accepted Haj) is nothing less than Paradise (Al-Jannah).Haj is not always easy, but the rewards for outweigh the sacrifices and the effort. A pilgrim’s pure belief and sincere seeking the reward of Allah is the only way he can avoid negative actions and reaction that may spoil their Haj. One is thrown in the middle of the world’s largest melting pot with little or no time to adjust. Hot weather, contrasting customs, foreign languages, intense crowds, meeting those with dishonorable intentions are all bound to lead to misunderstandings, bruised feelings and the like. It is precisely through this process that one may be elevated and attain the spiritual heights of an accepted Haj and one that will have a lasting effect on one’s life. --(Gulf Times, 14 Dec 07)
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