The Virtues And Rulings Of Hajj

Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah and be dutiful to Him, for piety is the best provision for the Last Day and by it, Allaah improves the affairs of His servants, as He says which means, “…And whoever fears Allaah – He will make for him of his matter ease.” (At-Talaaq: 4)

Brethren in Faith! Be aware that worship is the right of Allaah alone and it is an obligation upon mankind and the jinn. Allaah says which means, “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Adh-Dhaariyaat: 56)

Acts of worship are the best deeds with which Allaah honors His slaves and by which He elevates the pious among them. Acts of worship illuminate the hearts, refine the souls, reform one’s manners and please the Lord; they elevate one’s rank in Paradise, expiate the sins and multiply the rewards.

Moreover, it is from Allaah’s favor upon us that He sent the best of His creation to us in order to explain to us sayings, deeds and beliefs that can make us win the pleasure of our Lord, and to warn us against all that can make Him displeased with us. Allaah says which means, “Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know. So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” (Al-Baqarah: 151-152)

Had Allaah not sent the Messengers and revealed the Books, mankind would have been worse than animals, but He blessed humanity by establishing a religion and laying out the straight path for them; so, the fortunate ones received guidance and the wretched ones went astray.

Among the blessings of Allaah upon His slaves is that He ordained for them acts of worship that can reform their souls, like prayer, alms giving, fasting, Hajj (major pilgrimage) and other such deeds so that man may become fully nurtured and purified in all aspects. Allaah says which means, “…Allaah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.” (Al-Maa’idah: 6)