Benefits of Hajj
Assalamo Alaikum (peace be upon you).
Muslims are preparing themselves for Hajj (pilgrimage) & Eid ul Adha ( Eid of sacrifice).Hajj means Pilgrimage or visit the sacred House of Allah Almighty , The Holy Ka`bah , in the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia .Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam . It is obligatory once in the life time upon every adult Muslim , male or female , the one who is mentally , physically & financially able to reach the Holy City of Makkah.
Almighty Allah (GOD) says in The Holy Quran, “And Hajj to the House (Kaba`h) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses ’’.
Hajj is a collective Holy Duty. It contains all sorts of worships, physical, financial & spiritual. It is a refresher & training course for Muslims. Thousands of American Muslims are also going to perform Hajj .Muslims from all around the world perform this great act of worship every year. More then 3 millions of Muslims perform this religious obligation together. They practically demonstrate their loyalty, devotion, dedication, sincerity & love for their Lord & Creator, Allah Almighty. This great event of Islam also reminds us the history of Islam & the Farewell Sermon of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon him). It was the 10th year of Hijrah, 9th of Zulhijjah, on Friday, in the Valley of Arafat; the Last Messenger of Allah (peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) had given the Universal Message, Divine Instructions, Human Charter & the Formula of Unity & Brotherhood to make the world peaceful. Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) provided the mankind a comprehensive, justified, balanced, successful, modrate, applicable & Everlasting Holy World Order. He (peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) was addressing about one hundred & twenty four thousands Companions (Sahabah). He said , O people , listen to me in earnest, Worship Allah alone, Pray five times a day, Fast during the month of Ramadan, Pay the Zakat (poor due), Perform the Hajj if you can afford to, (if you believe & practice these five pillars of Islam) you will enter the Jannah (Paradise ) with security & Peace.
Almighty Allah said in His Holy Book, O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of male & female , and made you into nations & tribes , that you may know each other ( not that you despise each other ) .Verily , the most honorable & Noblest of you with Allah is the most righteous of you . Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Aware.’’(49:12)
He said, ‘‘Your Lord is One , Allah the Almighty , & your Father is One , Prophet Adam , No Arab is superior then non Arab or non Arab over Arab ,Black over white ,white over black , except Taqwa (God fearing , piety). He strongly prohibited the adultery & usury, interest…
He said be good to your wives, treat well your servants, respect the life, wealth & honor of other Muslims. He said as you regard & honor this Holy City, this Holy Month
& this Holy day as sacred, so regard the life, property & honor of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.
Islam & Prophet of Islam (Peace & Blessing of Allah ne upon him) condemn the racism & hatred. He delivered the message of Love, Compassion, Respect, Care, Honesty, Humanity, and Unity & Brotherhood.
Can we imagine for a while that people from all nationalities, races, colors & status are living & worshiping together without having any clash, hate, violence, conflict or trouble? What is comman in them? Which power united them? That is the benefit of Kalimah, Iman, Faith & True Belief which created a Global Community.This is the outstanding advantage of being the follower (ummatee) of Greatest Leader of mankind
& Best Creation of Allah ,Prophet Muhammad(Peace & Blessing of Allah ne upon him). We see practical demonstration of equation, unity, discipline & brotherhood on the occasion of Hajj. All the Believers (Muslims) are wearing the same dress (Ihram), their actions are same, they are praying together, living together, moving together, their object is one, their aim is one, their mission is one, their goal is one, their language is same, their slogan is same, they are chanting the same words, Labbaik
Allahumma Labbaik…….. O Allah we are present to serve & worship You alone. We are present You have no partner , We are present , no doubt all praise , blessings ,& possession belongs to You, You have no Associate.’’
The fortunate Hajies (Pilgrims) perform all the Manasik according the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace & Blessing of Allah ne upon him).All the Rituals of Hajj prove the concept & Aqeeda (Creed) of Ahlus Sunna Wal Jama’ah. They also visit the Blessed Grave of their Master Muhammad (Peace & Blessing of Allah ne upon him) at the City of Madinah, because any Muslim who makes this visit will get his Intersession (Shaafa’ah). They Greet & Salute him with utmost respect & love. They are so humble & respectful. This is the climax of their Emotions & Satisfaction. Actually words are always unable to express those Feelings & Experiences.
There are many Ahadith of Allah’s messenger which highlights the merit of Hajj. We may summarize them in these words, Hajj removes all the sins, the Reward for Accepted Hajj is Paradise, Haji returns like new born baby, his Dua’s are accepted, etc.
This is time for us to remember our duties .We should never forget that Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace & Blessing of Allah ne upon him) has assigned us an important duty in the last part of his Farewell Sermon .He said take these words to those who are not present here today. This is a great responsibility on our shoulders .Lets promise to perform our duty, work for humanity, convey the message of love, peace & care to rest of the world. Allah bless us all. Aameen.
Imam Maqsood Ahmed Qadri