The life of man is like a journey from one destination to another; from one stage to another stage; from this world to the Hereafter; from disobedience of Allah and His Rasool to obedience; from actions deserving punishment to actions deserving the pleasure of Allah and His Jannah. Islam promotes actions towards gratefulness and discourages and warns against ungratefulness.

Alhamdulillah, Muslims were fortunate to have witnessed the Holy month of Ramadaan. We fasted during the day and stood in Salaah during the night and exerted ourselves in many other acts of worship such as recitation of Quraan, Dhikr, Dua, Sadaqah etc. May Allah accept all our acts of worship to Him. (Aameen) The sighting of the new moon meant that the blessed month of Ramadaan came to an end and the month of Shawwaal began. The challenge that now faces all of us is whether we are going to benefit from the many lessons of Ramadaan? Are we going to be constant and steadfast upon righteousness in the days and months which follow Ramadaan? Allah informs us of the virtue of steadfastness in the Holy Quraan: “Verily those who say ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then they are steadfast, the angels will descend to them (at the time of death saying), Do not fear and do not grieve but have the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised.” (41:30)

With the coming of Shawwaal Allah has caused goodness to follow goodness since it marks the end of the compulsory fast in Ramadaan and the commencement of the season of another great act of Ibaadah in Islam, the Hajj. Indeed Hajj or pilgrimage is one of the pillars of Islam. The Holy Prophet (SA) said: “Islam is built on five pillars – testimony that there is no one worthy of worship besides Allah and that Muhammad (SA) is His servant and messenger; establishing of Salaah; paying of Zakaah; fasting in Ramadaan and Hajj (pilgrimage) to the Sacred House (the Ka’bah).” (Bukhari and Muslim)

The observance of these pillars involves the utilization of many gifts which Allah has blessed us with. When we perform Salaah or fast, the favors of health and body are utilized. Likewise when we pay our Zakaah the favor of wealth is utilized. However the Hajj or pilgrimage involves the gifts of health and body as well as wealth. A person must be physically able and healthy as well as financially capable to undertake the sacred journey.

Many Muslims have recognized the status of Salaah and fasting in Islam and have tried to fulfill their rights which involve a person’s physical effort. However with respect to those pillars which involve departing with the gift of wealth and property, such as Zakaah and Hajj, they are not approached with the same enthusiasm. This neglect has become widespread among the weary and unweary Muslims. We must realize that wealth is from Allah and we should show gratitude to Him by fulfilling the due rights of that which He has given to us. If we fail to show gratitude it may be that Allah may take us to account for our wealth and we may incur His wrath on the Day of Judgement.

The importance of fulfilling the rites of Hajj has been emphasized in the Holy Quraan and Sunnah. Allah says in the Quraan, “Allah has a right on the people who are able to reach the House (Ka’bah) that they must perform Hajj. Those who disobey (this command should be aware that) Allah is All- Sufficient and is not in need of (anyone in the) world.” (3:97)

The above verse highlights two important points – the command of Hajj and the warning for the neglectful who possess the ability to perform it.

According to Ali (RA) the Prophet (SA) announced Hajj to be an imperative duty by the revelation of this verse. (Tirmidhi)

In another tradition it is mentioned: “O people! Hajj has been enjoined on you as a duty, so perform Hajj.” (Muslim)

The Jurists in Islam have mentioned that Hajj becomes compulsory once in a lifetime upon a free Muslim, male or female, who has reached the age of puberty (baaligh) and is sane, provided such a person owns wealth, which is free from debts and his necessities of life. Such wealth must also provide for his transport and maintenance to go to Arafah and Makkah and to return home, as well as to provide for the maintenance of those under his care.

The Jurists have mentioned that the ability to undertake the journey also means that one should be healthy and physically able, being free from any disability such as paralysis, blindness, etc. which may prevent the observance of the rites of Hajj. Likewise there must not be any life threatening factors along the way to the Hajj. It is also a condition for women that they must be accompanied by an adult male Mahram – i.e. her husband or any other male with whom she is permanently forbidden to marry such as her father, her brother, her uncle etc.

When the above mentioned conditions are met then the meaning of the Ayah is explicitly clear that Hajj has to be performed. The time when this compulsion would be considered will be during the months of Hajj, namely Shawwaal, Dhul Qa’dah and the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Some jurists have allowed the delaying of the performance of the Hajj to some time in the future as long as it is observed in one’s life time. They have all however agreed that to perform it as early as possible is best since there is no assurance that one may live until the next year. If the Hajj becomes compulsory upon a Muslim but it was delayed to a future time and the person dies before the observance of it he or she may be accountable before Allah for failure to fulfil a compulsory duty. The Prophet (SA) has advised as follows, “ The person who makes up his mind for Hajj (when it becomes compulsory upon him) should carry out his intention soon; it may be that he falls ill, or his camel (means of transport) is lost, or he faces some other problem.” (Ibn Majah)

The Ayah of Quraan (3:97) mentioned above also gives a stern warning for disobedience. It says, “…. Those who disobey (this command should be aware that) Allah is All- Sufficient and is not in need of (anyone in) the worlds.” (3:97)

It should be noted that the phrase ‘those who disobey’, can also be translated to mean ‘those who disbelieve’. The scholars have mentioned that the act of not performing the Hajj when all the conditions are in place, as well as to be unmindful, showing no care and concern for the Hajj, or not even to have the intention for its performance even in the future, is an attitude likened to that of the unbelievers. Allah informs that such blatant disobedience and slighting His divine orders does not harm Him in the least since He is All- Sufficient and is not in need of any one. Rather it is the servants who stand in need of Allah for every thing such that they would ultimately become the losers for defying the laws of Allah.

Many Ahadith show the seriousness of such disobedience when it has become compulsory. Abu Umamah (RA) reports that Rasuulullaah (SA) said: “Whosoever fails to perform Hajj while not being prevented from it by a definite and valid necessity, or by oppression from an unjust ruler, or by severe illness and he passes away, then in such a state he has a choice to die as a Christian.” (Darami)

In another Hadith narrated by Ali (RA) he said that Rasuulullaah (SA) said, “Whoever possesses the provision (for the journey) and means of transport to carry him to the House of Allah but yet he does not perform the Hajj, then there is no difference in him dying as a Jew or a Christian.” (Tirmidhi)

The Scholars of Islam, among who are the four renowned Imams of Jurisprudence, have explained that the person would be considered a great sinner for disobedience of a compulsory order in the Shariah so long as he does not deny the incumbency of Hajj. If however one denies that Hajj is a compulsory act then he would enter into Kufr – disbelief. Muslims should therefore take precaution in their Deen and observe the orders of Allah without hesitation.

When this great act of worship is performed seeking only the pleasure of Allah the observer is promised great rewards as have been mentioned in the following Ahadith.

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that Rasuulullah (SA) said, “Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and therein utters no word of evil nor commits an evil deed, shall return from it as free from sin as the day on which his mother gave birth to him.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)

In another Hadith also reported by Abu Hurairah (RA) he said that Rasuulullah (SA) said, “Verily there will be no reward for a righteous (accepted) Hajj except Jannah.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)

Ayesha (RA) relates that the Messenger of Allah (SA) said, “There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of Hell than on the day of Arafah. And on that day Allah draws near the sky of the earth by way of an exhibition of His pride.” (Muslim)

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SA) was asked: ‘Which action is best?’ He replied, “Faith (Imaan) in Allah and His Messenger.” He was then questioned: ‘What is next?’ He said, “Jihad in the way of Allah.” He was again questioned: ‘What is next?’ He said, “An accepted pilgrimage.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)

These Ahadith show that the Hajj which is done sincerely for Allah brings about great rewards and benefits. The benefits are not only for the Hereafter but even in this world they can be reaped.

The one observing the Hajj is trained in high levels of spirituality. It builds the foundation for absolute and complete submission to the Divine command. The pilgrim casts aside his own comforts, luxuries, safety and amenities of life and undertakes a journey bearing discomforts, risks and a simplistic lifestyle. Attention is also drawn away from the relations of family, relatives and friends towards fostering relationship of love and servitude to Allah and His Messenger (SA). These sacrifices will only be undertaken to achieve the pleasure of Allah and to be close to Him. Thus when he completes the Hajj he returns like an innocent baby, free of sins and with a greater spiritual awareness.

Hajj also demonstrates the greatest act of religious brotherhood. Muslims from all different backgrounds, countries and lifestyles gather together in a unified way only to obey the order of Allah and to acquire His pleasure. In this universal assemblage of brethren in faith there is uniformity and equality of faith. All the pilgrims proclaim in one voice ‘Lab-baik Allaahumma Lab-baik .. We are present, O our Lord, We are present .. . All males are clad in two pieces of clothing giving all the same humble appearance. A king cannot be distinguished from a beggar, nor the wealthy from the poor, nor the masters from the slaves, nor the ministers from their subjects, etc. The color of the skin or the texture of the hair or the stature of a person does not matter and will not be differentiated. All stand before Allah as Muslims surrendering to His command. It is the perfect demonstration of brotherhood that can ever be seen.

Hajj also gives the pilgrims a glimpse off the Hereafter when every one would be before Allah on the Day of Judgement waiting for the accounting. Just as on the Day of Judgement when no one can move from their place except with accountability and with the word of Allah the pilgrims must also gather at certain places like Arafah, Mudhdalifah, Mina, at the Jamraat and the Haram Shareef and must not do an act before its given time and rite according to the Shariah. It also depicts that just as the pilgrims stand in their simple attire devoid of any worldly attachments, likewise on the Day of Judgement the people would only be standing with their deeds, the currency of the Hereafter.

Hajj also recreates the scene of Ibrahim (AS) and his honored wife and child. Such a great act of sacrifice by Ibrahim, Hajirah and Ismail (AS) and their unequivocal submission to the will of Allah was not marked by the building of a monument but rather by rehearsing and reliving a similitude of their acts so that their sacrifice can be a lesson for us. This also teaches us that that Islam is not an isolated or new religion but it is the completion of a way of life which began with the Prophet Adam (AS) and continued by Prophet Ibrahim and then completed by the last Messenger, Muhammad (SA).

Together with the compulsory Hajj, the pilgrims would also have the opportunity to perform the lesser Hajj or Umrah which has great rewards on its own. In one narration by Abu Hurairah, he said that the Messenger of Allah said: “One Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and another Umrah ..” (Bukhaari and Muslim)

Besides these rewards and benefits mentioned above, every Muslim has the opportunity to do as much extra Ibaadah as he or she desires, like Dua, Quraan, Dhikr, Tawaaf, etc. Muslims should not overlook this great act of Ibaadah to Allah because of the inclinations to material acquisitions and possessions. The inclination of all believers should be towards the good of the Hereafter and towards those acts which would bring the mercy of Allah. As the blessed month of Ramadaan has left us with righteous hearts, we should give deep consideration to the performance of this great and blessed pilgrimage, especially when the season has already arrived. Muslims must evaluate themselves and their financial position to see whether the Hajj is compulsory upon them or not. If it is compulsory then all the necessary preparations should begin and the necessary links to Hajj groups etc. should be made. Once the Hajj commences a person will then be undertaking a journey to the closeness and pleasure of Allah. We must remember that life and death are in the hands of Allah and we have no assurance that our lives may be spared for another year. May Allah bless us in our undertakings and invigorate us towards adherence to His commands.


THE DARUL ULOOM

The Darul Uloom T &T is an Islamic institution disseminating primary to tertiary Islamic Studies and secondary academic education. We are a non-profit organization whose objective is to educate Muslims about the Sacred Deen of Allah (S.W.T.).

To achieve this end the Darul Uloom offers many programmes and courses on a full-time and part-time basis for brothers and sisters separately.

Our five-year full time secondary programme offers training in Islamic and academic studies up to O’levels. Graduates can further their studies for the next three years in the full time A’alim course where they can qualify as Maulana. There is also a full Hifz programme where students can memorize the entire Quraan with the aid of qualified teachers. There are also classes for adults on a part time basis on Monday nights for males and on Saturdays for males and females.

In addition to these programmes, services such as Counseling, the Issuing of Islamic legal opinions, and collection of Zakaah and Sadaqah are done at the Darul Uloom.

Through the Grace and Mercy of Allah (S.W.T) the Darul Uloom is able to conduct these various programmes and courses only through the kind and generous donations of the Muslim Community.

As a service to Islam you are humbly requested to contribute to these efforts as we strive together to establish the Deen of Allah (S.W.T).