The virtue of Hajj Mabroor: Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, , said: "(The performance of) ‘Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one. And the reward of Hajj Mabroor (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Some said that a “Mabroor” Hajj is one that is free from sins. Others said that it means a Hajj that has been accepted or one that does not include showing off, seeking good reputation, or Rafath and Fusooq. It was also said that the sign of Hajj Mabroor is that your goodness increases thereafter and you do not return to acts of disobedience after your return from Hajj.
Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, “Hajj Mabroor entails that one returns therefrom relinquishing the life of this world and desiring the hereafter.” It was also narrated that Hajj Mabroor constitutes feeding the needy, speaking kindly to others, and spreading greetings and peace. The correct opinion is that it encompasses all these meanings.
Hajj is the best Jihaad: ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated that she said, "O Messenger of Allah! We consider Jihaad to be the best deed. Should we not fight in the cause of Allah?"He said:"The best Jihaad (for women) is Hajj Mabroor." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]Hajj is the Jihaad of women: ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Should we not participate in holy battles and Jihaad along with you?’ He replied:"The best and the most superior Jihaad (for women) is Hajj Mabroor."‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, added, “Ever since I heard this from the Messenger of Allah I have determined not to miss Hajj.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
A Marfoo’ narration on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reads: "The Jihaad of the elderly, the weak and the women is Hajj and ‘Umrah." [An-Nasaa’i; Al-Albaani: Hasan]
Hajj and ‘Umrah eliminate poverty and sins: Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, , said: "Keep on doing Hajj and ‘Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sins just as the bellows eliminate impurities from iron." [At-Tabaraani and Ad-Daaraqutni; Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
Ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, , said: “Keep on doing Hajj and ‘Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sin just as the bellows eliminate impurities from iron, gold and silver and a Hajj Mabroor has no less a reward than Paradise.” [Ahmad and At-Tirmithi; Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
The supplication of a pilgrim is answered: Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with both of them, narrated that the Prophet, , said: "He who fights in the cause of Allah and the one who performs Hajj and ‘Umrah are all guests of Allah; He called them and they responded; they ask of Him and He will give to them."[Ibn Maajah and Ibn Hibbaan; Al-Albaani: Saheeh] A pilgrim is protected and guarded by Allah The Almighty: Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, , said: "Three people are safeguarded by Allah The Almighty, one who left for one of the mosques of Allah, one who left for fighting in the cause of Allah and one who left for Hajj." [Abu Nu‘aym; Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
The virtue of the rituals of Hajj: Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, , said:
"When you leave your home heading towards the Sacred House, with every step you take with your riding animal, a reward is recorded for you and a sin is obliterated. When you stand at ‘Arafah, Allah The Exalted descends to the lower heaven and boasts to the angels saying: 'These are My Slaves, they came shaggy and dusty from every distant pass hoping to attain My mercy and fearing My torture while they never saw Me, so what about if they see Me?’ Thus, if you have sins as great as a dusty mountain or as many as the days of the life of this world or as many as the rain drops, Allah will cleanse them for you. When you throw the pebbles, the reward is saved for you. When you shave your hair, you are granted a reward with every hair that falls. When you perform Tawaaf around the house, you go out as sinless as the day you were delivered by your mother."[At-Tabaraani; Al-Albaani: Hasan]
Do not deprive yourself of these rewards and great gifts. We are all in dire need of such rewards and gain forgiveness of sins and misdeeds. Thus, why do you procrastinate and delay such a great deal? Why do you feel apathy and laziness when you have been ordered to excel in what you do?
Hajj is obligatory on an immediate basis: Scholars differ on whether Hajj is obligatory on an immediate or non immediate basis. Ash-Shinqeeti said, "The more correct opinion for me and the more appropriate to the greatness of the Creator of the heavens and the earth is that the orders of Allah The Almighty such as Hajj are obligatory straight away on an immediate basis, for the texts that urge hastening and for fear of sudden death. For example, Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord}[Quran 3:133] and (what means): {and [think] that perhaps their appointed time has come near?} [Quran 7:185]