by: Abu Amerah

Assalamo Alaykom Warahmatullahi Wabarakatoh.

I’d like to share this article to all Brothers/Sisters in Islam, especially Maranaws who have given the opportunity to perform the 5th Pillar of Islam (Hajj), be it last year (1428) or those who will be chosen by Almighty Allah to perform Hajj in the near future.  I hope and pray that all who will be able to read this article will benefit from it and Allah accept his/her good deeds.

No doubt, Hajj is a golden opportunity to have one’s sins forgiven, one’s soul refined and one’s heart filled with Faith and Tranquility.  The one who performs Hajj is supposed to be a model for others after returning.  He/She is to recall throughout the year the matchless experiences gained in Hajj.

It should street the fact that those whom Allah favored to perform Hajj and Umrah should be thankful to Allah who has chosen them from among His servants to perform these acts of worship, and they should implore Almighty Allah to accept their good deeds.  That is very important, for it reflects their belief that being so favored by Allah to accomplish the task of traveling to the Sacred Land to perform Hajj and Umrah is a favor that deserves gratitude to Allah.

Pilgrims are urged, after returning from the Sacred Land, to keep in his/her mind and soul attached to Allah, remembering Him constantly because Almighty Allah says, “And when ye have completed your devotions, then remember Allah as ye remember your fathers or with more lively remembrance…” (Al-Baqarah 2:200)

The new Hajji (Kadi) should be very keen to avoid evil and shameful deeds especially after Allah has obliterated them and forgave all his/her sins, as a reward of performing Hajj.  This is based on the Hadith in which the Prophet (SAW) said, “The reward of Hajj Mabrour (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing but Paradise.”  He also said, “The Performance of Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one.”  reported by Muslim.

Therefore, it behooves every Hajj to forward due gratitude to Allah for being chosen to perform those acts of worship and, at the same time, to beseech Him for acceptance.

Pilgrims (Hajji) is advised, upon returning home, to be conscious of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) when performing all what Allah has obligated him to do of the other worships such as Salah (Prayers), Zakah, Fasting, Dutifulness to his Parents, Visiting Kith and Kin, being Charitable and Benevolent to Allah’s Creatures, experiencing the etiquettes of Islam, taking the morals of the Holy Qur’an as a model and the like of what the Muslim should do.

The reason for all the above mentioned is that the more Hajj is considered an honor and a blessing, the more it entails responsibility on which man will be asked concerning on the Day of Judgment in case he misbehaves after returning from Hajj.  Almighty Allah says, “Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and wickedness.  He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed.  Fulfill the covenant of Allah when ye have covenanted, and break not your oaths after the asseveration of them, and after ye have made Allah surety over you.  Lo! Allah knoweth what ye do.”  (Al-Nahl 90 – 91).

The epitome of this is that this Worship (Hajj) is obligated once in a lifetime.  So, the Pilgrim should take that as a golden opportunity which he/she will make use of for the rest of his/her life, reminiscing about the sacred places and all rituals (of Hajj), for that will strengthen his faith and help him to obey Allah.  Allah Almighty knows best.

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