The Hajj: A Journey of Love!
Assalamu-alaykum, Dear Guest of Allah
Soon you will be departing for the city of Allah Ta’aala. The angels will follow your progress from the skies and graciously escort you into the Blessed City of Makkah Muazzamah. Not only will they match you in your heartfelt cry of “Labayk”, but the very rocks and stones which you pass by will echo your “Labayk”.
Yes, your long cherished hopes will soon be realized, your tearful Du’aas shortly answered. In fact, one could forgive you if you are passing these days starry eyed and somewhat confused. “Is this all true? Perhaps I will wake up and find out that I was but dreaming!”
O, Hajee, the sweet Mercies of Allah always seem like dreams. Marvel at your good fortune and your awesome destiny. Indeed it is not your wealth that takes you, for many are the miserable millionaires who like last year and the year before promised themselves that they will go for Hajj, but never got down to it. They die rich in wealth but bankrupt in Imaan.
YOU have indeed been chosen by Allah, not because of any self-worth, but because of Allah’s Kindness. You, who were penniless the other day, is now afforded the occasion to spend tens of thousands of rand to go into the barren desert of Arafaah, with no other motivation but to fulfil the rights of Allah! You, with a feeble and weak heart, will be made to bear the separation of your little innocent children. Your Trust in Allah Ta’aala – that He will care and look after them – must be saluted by the angels in the heavens.
Hereby follows some advice in order to ensure that you have a peaceful Hajj – A Hajj filled with Imaan and Yaqeen,a Hajj which will draw you closer to your Host –Allah Azza Wajal; a Hajj which will lead you to a joyous meeting with Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam; a Hajj which will drown you in an ocean of mankind and impress upon your soul your utter insignificance; a Hajj which, through sweat and tears, aches and pains, troubles and trials will scrub and polish you until you are as sinless as the day you were born…Hajje-Mabroor, Hajje-Maqbul!
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Do’s |
Don’ts |
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DO leave aside sin NOW. |
Don’t wait for the Hajj days to make Taubaah. |
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Do have three sincere intentions: (1) To answer Allah’s summons. (2) To make sincere Taubaah. (3) To be firm on Taubaah by being in the company of the pious until death. |
Don’t leave without seeking forgiveness from the one’s you have wronged. Focus on Ibaadah and the Holy Haram, not on shopping for computer games! |
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DO shelve all thoughts of comfort and, you will, Insha-Allah, be comfortable. |
Don’t display anger, control it. Moulana Masehullah Saheb (Rahmatullahi Alayh) said anger must invite harm. |
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DO understand that today’s journey is voluntary. Tomorrows will be entirely different with no Salaams. |
Don’t allow your womenfolk to congregate and parade themselves at the airport. Complete all greetings at home. |
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DO keep check of your gaze and look firmly down. Modesty and Hijaab are not only meant for women. Men are also expected to observe the laws of Hijaab and Haya. |
Don’t soil the eyes lest they be deprived of observing the brilliance of Allah’s Nur on the Baitullah. |
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DO read your Salaah in the plane etc. If you discard Salaah whilst going to the Baitullah, then how will you succeed in upholding it at other times? |
Don’t watch Haraam video and Haraam TV programmes during the journey. Sins committed whilst going for Haj incur Allah’s immense displeasure. |
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DO attempt to forget any bitter experiences with travel Agents, the high cost of your Hajj etc. Let the past be past. |
Don’t forget to remember that for every rand you spend, Allah Ta’aala has promised thousands in return. |
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Most importantly, do source all your Deeni Masaa’il and Fatwa’s from ONE Institution or Mufti who is endowed with the Khauf of Allah Ta’aala. You are under no obligation of your Group Mufti etc. Respect does necessarily entail obedience. |
Don’t refer to numerous Ulama for your Masaa’il. This will cause you to be confused. Don’t argue with people, especially Salafi’s. Rather be obsessed with your OWN weaknesses. |
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Important! Ladies, don’t heed calls to abandon the Niqaab and Hijaab. Wear an Ihraam cap. Do not allow yourself to become an object of people’s fantasies. Your Talbiyah is a guide to you as to how much Hijaab your voice entails. Do not transgress Allah’s Laws and Limits by broadcasting your voice to the whole world in interviews on Radio stations. You are now present in the most Sacred of places, on the most Auspicious of days, in the Holy state of Ihraam. Fear Allah with all your strength for Haya is your treasure! Be a personification of the words of The Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) whom you intend to visit: “HAYA IS HALF OF IMAAN”– lose it and you lose yourself!
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