HAJJ: THE JOURNEY OF SOUL
After Ramadan comes another important rite for Muslims! The rite, which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was reported to have described as the best deed, after belief in Allah and His Messengers and Jihad in the way of Allah. What, therefore, is this rite and why is it regarded as the best deed? These very interesting questions and others will be the focus of this page, entitled, HAJJ: The Journey of Soul, edited by the Editor-in-Chief, ABDUR RASHEED ABUBAKAR.
What is Hajj?
Linguistically, Hajj means, 'He prepared, or betook himself, to or towards a person… or towards an object of reverence, veneration, respect or honor.” In the Sharia (Islamic law), Hajj means a specific journey to Makkah during the designated month of Dhul-Hijjah, for the performance of Hajj as an act of worship to Allah: “The Hajj is (in) the well-known month (i.e. 10th month, 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein by assuming Ihram, then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sins, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. And whatever you do, (be sure) Allah knows it.” [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 197]
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam
Ibn Umar (RA) said: “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Islam is built upon five (pillars): testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (SAW) is the Messenger of Allah, establishing regular prayer, paying Zakaat, Hajj and fasting Ramadan.” [Bukhari & Muslim]. According to the majority of the scholars Hajj was legislated in the ninth year of Hijrah (Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Medina), meaning the year of the Delegations (al-Wufood), in which the verse of Surah Aal-Imran: 97: “Hajj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah for those who can afford the journey” was revealed.
Hajj is an obligation once in a lifetime
Abu Hurayrah (RA) said: “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) gave a sermon (Khutbah) and said: “O people, Allah has enjoined Hajj upon you so perform Hajj.” A man asked: “Is it every year, O Messenger of Allah (SAW)?” He (SAW) remained silent until the man had said it three times, then he responded saying: “If I had said yes, (then) it would have become an obligation (once every year) and you would not have been able to do it.” Then he said: “Do not push me to tell you more than what I have left you with, for those who came before you were destroyed because they asked too many questions and argued with their Prophets. If I command you to do a thing, do as much of it as you can, and if I forbid you to do something, then avoid it.” [Muslim]
The Purpose of Hajj
Allah says: “And (remember) when We showed Ibraheem(AS) the site of the House (saying): 'Associate not anything with Me, and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up (for prayer), and those who bow and make prostration (in prayer).” [Surah al-Hajj (22): 26-27]
This verse signifies the purpose of Hajj, it being, the worship of Allah. Allah, the Exalted ordered Ibraheem (AS) to build the Kaa'ba and call people to circumambulate it, and stand up (for prayer), bow down and make prostration (in prayer) to Allah (alone). Therefore, one who performs Hajj is required to sincerely worship Allah and associate none as partners with Him; seek His help, forgiveness and Taqwa.
Virtues of Hajj
A number of ahadeeth speak about the virtues of Hajj. Once, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) was asked: 'What is the best deed?' He stated: ‘Belief in Allah and His Messenger (SAW).’ He was then asked: 'What next?' He said: ‘Jihad in the way of Allah.' He was again asked: 'What next?' He replied: “The Hajj which is preformed correctly and accepted by Allah.” [Bukhari & Muslim] He (SAW) also said: “One Umrah until the next Umrah is an expiation for what is between them. And the Hajj that is accepted by Allah and performed properly has no reward other than Paradise.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
Furthermore, for women, their Jihad is Hajj, when the Messenger of Allah (SAW) was asked, whether or not women are required to take part in Jihad. He replied: “Yes, upon them is Jihad which does not contain fighting: Hajj and Umrah.” Also, Ibn Umar (RA) reported the Prophet (SAW) saying: “The one who fights for the sake of Allah and the pilgrim who goes for Hajj or 'Umrah are all guests of Allah. He called them and they responded; they ask of Him and He will give them.” [Ibn Majah]
Benefits of Hajj
Allah said (to Ibraheem AS): “And proclaim to mankind the Hajj….that they may witness things that are of benefit to them….” [Surah al-Hajj (22): 28] Hajj has both, worldly benefits and benefits of the Hereafter. Worldly benefits include trade, business and other commercial benefits, since Allah says: “There is not sin on you if you seek the Bounty of your Lord (during the pilgrimage by trading, etc.).” [Surah Baqarah (2): 198] The benefits of the Hereafter, which every sincere Muslim yearns for, are forgiveness of sins and a guaranteed place in Paradise. In other words, Hajj is a purification of the soul from sins and a means to gain the Mercy of Allah. Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood (RA) related from the Messenger of Allah (SAW) “Keep on doing Hajj and 'Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sin just as the bellows eliminate impurities from iron and gold and silver.” [Tirmidhi]
The Effects of Hajj on the Pilgrim
The Hajj, which is graced by Allah's acceptance, has a lasting and observable effect on the pilgrim. Hajj is the perfection of one's faith, since it has in it all the qualities of the other forms of worship. Hajj combines both the physical and monetary aspects of worship in Islam, such as Salaat (prayer), which the pilgrim offers in the Kaa'ba, the House of Allah.
It encourages spending of material wealth for the sake of Allah, which is the chief characteristic of Zakaat. By spending from his wealth to perform the Hajj, the pilgrim cleanses from his heart the greed deposited by love of this world. Hajj builds generosity and develops in the individual a willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Allah. When a pilgrim sets out for Hajj, he disassociates himself from his homes and dear ones to please Allah; he suffers hardship and self-restraint, which is from the essences of fasting and Itikaaf. The Haji (pilgrim) is trained to completely forget the material comforts and glamour's of the worldly life, he avoid the use of oil, scent, perfume, etc., wearing only two pieces of unsown cloth, does not cut hairs and nails, he keeps himself busy day and night worshiping Allah and carrying out the rites of Hajj. In short, he abandons all his desires and submits to Allah with Ikhlas (sincerity), Ittiba (obedience) and humbleness, calling out to His Lord: “Here I am before You, My Lord, as a slave of You…”
It encourages spending of material wealth for the sake of Allah, which is the chief characteristic of Zakaat. By spending from his wealth to perform the Hajj, the pilgrim cleanses from his heart the greed deposited by love of this world. Hajj builds generosity and develops in the individual a willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Allah. When a pilgrim sets out for Hajj, he disassociates himself from his homes and dear ones to please Allah; he suffers hardship and self-restraint, which is from the essences of fasting and Itikaaf. The Haji (pilgrim) is trained to completely forget the material comforts and glamour's of the worldly life, he avoid the use of oil, scent, perfume, etc., wearing only two pieces of unsown cloth, does not cut hairs and nails, he keeps himself busy day and night worshiping Allah and carrying out the rites of Hajj. In short, he abandons all his desires and submits to Allah with Ikhlas (sincerity), Ittiba (obedience) and humbleness, calling out to His Lord: “Here I am before You, My Lord, as a slave of You…”
Pre-conditions of Hajj
Certain conditions have to be fulfilled before Hajj becomes compulsory upon an individual. These can be enumerated as follows:
(a) Islam,
(b) Soundness of mind,
(c) Puberty and
(d) Capability
Hajj is not meant to be a hardship. It is a great act of worship which people must do their best to perform but only if it is feasible for them. Allah says: “Hajj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses." [Surah Aal-Imran: 97]
In general, the feasibility includes having the physical health, financial well-being and sufficient provision needed to undertake the Hajj. Hajj is not obligatory on the indigent who does not posses adequate money to feed his children during his absence and to make the journey to Makkah. If he has to borrow money then it is recommended that such an individual stays at home until he is financially able. Muslims with physical disabilities are not obliged to make Hajj unless they can pay others to carry them.
In general, the feasibility includes having the physical health, financial well-being and sufficient provision needed to undertake the Hajj. Hajj is not obligatory on the indigent who does not posses adequate money to feed his children during his absence and to make the journey to Makkah. If he has to borrow money then it is recommended that such an individual stays at home until he is financially able. Muslims with physical disabilities are not obliged to make Hajj unless they can pay others to carry them.
Hajj at one's first opportunity
Unfortunately, many people delay-making Hajj until the latter part of their lives, they should be reminded the Hadeeth of Allah's Messenger (SAW): “Hurry to perform Hajj (the obligatory one), as none of you knows what may happen to him.” Some scholars hold the opinion that the obligation of the Hajj is immediate; therefore, it must be carried out, as soon as all the (above-mentioned) conditions of Hajj are fulfilled. One who delays the performance of Hajj, even though he has the means to perform it, until he dies, is an evildoer and he has left himself open to the punishment and displeasure of Allah in the Hereafter. It is also narrated that Umar Ibn Khattab (RA) once said: 'I considered sending some men to those lands to see who had the means but did not perform Hajj. They should have the Jizya applied to them, as they are not Muslims, they are not Muslims.” [Bayhaqi]
HOW TO IDENTIFY GENUINE HAJJ OPERATORS
- Alhaji Abdul Hamid Solate GM, Hajj Mabrur Ventures Limited, Lagos
Alhaji Abdul Hamid Solate is the General Manager of Hajj Mabrur Ventures Limited, an accredited hajj operator. He just came back from Saudi Arabia where he led pilgrims on a successful lesser hajj. In this interview with AL-FAHM’s Ghazali Yusuf, the highly experienced scholar shared his experiences and highlight how to identify genuine hajj operators...
You just finished the Umrah operation, how was the experience like?
The Umrah operation was quite good, it was a nice experience, and this is our 12th year of taking pilgrims to Saudi for Umrah, so it was experience as usual. The only thing that made this a different one was the Value Added service we introduced, that was the provision of sahur and iftar for our pilgrims which is not the usual thing. Before, people used to get their food on their own but this time, we decided to eat together and they liked it.
What next after Umrah?
After Umrah, the next is Hajj. Hajj is the pilgrimage to the house of Allah; it is an injunction from Allah, the fifth pillar of Islam after shahada, solat, zakat and sawm. It is enjoined on all Muslims who is capable, who have the financial means and is matured to go. It is obligatory once in his lifetime and there is no crime if you can do it more than once, except those who do not have the means, those are the one that are exempted.
When can an intending pilgrim start preparing for Hajj and how?
The preparation for Hajj, three months ahead. Some countries use to start three years ahead, but in Nigeria we start late. We expect that an intending pilgrim should start on time to do necessary things expected of him, to have an idea about it, choose the right agent, read books on Hajj, attend seminars, make spiritual, mental, health and financial preparation. So it is good to start ahead so that one will be able to maximize the benefits of Hajj.
What are the rights of Hajj?
Basically, the rights of Hajj are embedded within five days, and it entails four major things even though there are other things attached to it. The first one is taking the Ihram which means the intention and then the clothing, the second one is standing on the plane of Arafah, and this is done on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, then the stoning of Jamrah and then doing the Tawaf (circumbulation of Ka’abah). Along the line, there are some other things which are expected to do, at least on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, you go to Mina where you observe the five solat then on the 9th, you move to Arafah where you stay till sunset, after sunset, you come down to muzdalifah, so in the morning you go back to Muna, you stay in Muna for the next three days where you do the stoning, tawaf and the slaughtering of the animal.
What is Hajj Mabrur’s timeline for the coming Hajj?
Our schedule for this coming Hajj is that we have given all intending pilgrims going with us a deadline for payments, and that is 31st of August, after that we do the necessary things like application for visa, then our departure date is 10th of October and we will insha Allah return on 1st of November.
How is Nigeria environment for Hajj operation?
Well, I can say it is quite good. The only thing is that for those of us operating as private, the ground is not that level in the aspect of foreign exchange. It is easy for the government because they get the forex from the banks while we have to get ours through the black market, if we want it fast without delay. So this puts more pressure on the private agents and more expectations from us, you have to do a lot to be able to convince people to pay more than the government charge. Then, the issue of so many people coming into the system as agents, some are genuine and some are not genuine. Then, when we get to Makkah, there are some facilities that those who go with government enjoys that we do not enjoy, as private we may not have access to some things and the Saudi Hajj Board will scrutinize us for standard without doing same for the government.
How can intending pilgrims identify genuine Hajj operators?
Like I said earlier, there are genuine and fake agents, those who will collect money from you, drop you somewhere and disappoint you. The only advise I will give to intending pilgrim is that whatever agent they approach, they should first request for their license from NAHCOM because the Agency gives license and guidelines to all certified private operators in Nigeria. With this, they can be rest assured that they are patronising the genuine operators.
How do Hajj Mabrur cope with its competitors?
As we know we are in a competitive world, what we do is that we have our own core values which we pursue to the end, and that is “guiding people” to perform Haajan Mabruran which is the essence of Hajj as Allah mentioned in the holy Qur’an, that is why we use the name Hajj Mabrur. So when you go with us and you return, you will be satisfied that you performed Hajj with the right people because we will guide you, we have experienced people to stay around with you all through, giving you necessary guidance, and also we have health facilities, we have at least two qualified Doctors and health workers that goes with us to take care of your health day and night.
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