During Hajj, people from different backgrounds, of different colors and different countries and races meet around the Ka’bah, between As-Safa and Al-Marwah, and on the mountain of ‘Arafaat. They all come having prepared themselves mentally and spiritually to perform this great obligation.
Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men; they will come to you on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways; That they may witness the benefits (provided) for them, and celebrate the name of Allah, through the Days Appointed, over the cattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifice): then eat you thereof and feed the distressed ones in want. Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and (again) circumambulate the Ancient House.}[Quran, 22: 27-29]
This is a place where all are equal, leaders and followers, rich and poor, eminent and common people. All these people come together for the sake of Allah The Almighty, the One and Only Lord, Creator of all things.
The white Ihraam (garments worn during Hajj) reminds a person of the Day of Resurrection and its hardships, and makes him forget this life and its pleasures. Why should this not be, when the Chapter Al-Hajj started with the Saying of Allah The Almighty (which means): {O mankind! Fear your Lord! Indeed the convulsion of the (final) Hour is a terrible thing! On the day you see it every nursing mother will be distracted from that (child) she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people appearing (intoxicated) while they are not intoxicated; but the punishment of Allah is severe.}[Quran, 22: 1-2]
Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {In it are clear signs (such as) the Station of Ibrahim. And whoever enters it attains security. And (due) to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever can afford the journey.}[Quran, 3: 97] A person who has not performed Hajj must intend to do so as soon as he is financially able.
Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {For Hajj are the months well-known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj}[Quran, 2: 197]Therefore, whoever wants their Hajj to be a perfect and complete one must refrain from fighting, arguing, backbiting, and tale-bearing whilst at Hajj. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said (describing this perfect Hajj): “A perfect and a complete Hajj will have Paradise as a reward.”[Al-Bukhari, Muslim]
In another Hadeeth,also narrated by Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, he said: “The best of deeds is belief in Allah and His Messenger, then comes Jihaad (fighting for the sake of Allah), and then a perfect and complete Hajj.” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim]In a third Hadeeth, Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “He who performs Hajj and does not have sexual relations with his wife (while at Hajj), nor commits sins, will come out of Hajj just as the day his mother gave birth to him.”[Al-Bukhari, Muslim]
Islam encourages people to avoid postponing Hajj and not to delay it. Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Rush to perform Hajj because one does not know what might happen to him.” [Ahmad, Al-Bayhaqi]His saying: “one does not know what might happen to him,”means that the person’s circumstances may change, and may deter a person from performing it. The Prophet, , also said: “Let one who intends Hajj hurry, because he might get sick, might find his way to Hajj, or something might occur that would prevent him from performing Hajj.”[Ahmad, Ibn Maajah, and others]Not finding the way to Hajj could mean not finding ticket reservations, the car breaking down on the way, etc.
What about those who are lazy, negligent and delay this obligation although they have the means to perform it and are in good health? What guarantees that old age will not catch up with them, or perhaps they may even die before they perform Hajj?
(To be continued)