Scholars have agreed that it is not permissible to touch or kiss other than what is reported in the Sunnah that the Prophet has touched or kissed. Al-Athram -a companion of Imaam Ahmad-said, “I saw that people of knowledge among the inhabitants of Madienah did not use to touch the Prophet’s grave, they would only stand at a corner and say their salaam to him.” Abdul-Hasan said, “Under Islamic Law, the touching and kissing of graves are regarded to be abominable innovations.” He further said, “The Khuraasaanie Jurists said, “Graves should not be rubbed, kissed or touched for that is the practice of Christians.” At-Tahaawie -a scholar from the followers of Imaam Abu Haneefah school- said, “Graves should not be touched nor kissed for that is the custom of the People of the Book.” In Islam, nothing is known to be touched except Al-Hajar Al-Aswad and the Yamanee Corner.

The running between As-Safaa and Al-Marwa has been prescribed as a pillar of Hajj and 'Umrah. This is so that pilgrims may be reminded of Haajar and her son (Prophet Ismaa’iel) and the hardship they experienced and how Allah caused Zamzam water to gush forth for them to quench their thirst and as a healing for the sick. Thereby making Muslims believe that refuge should be sought with Allah alone. Allah says: “Is not He Who responds to the distressed one when he calls Him and Who removes the evil (better than their gods).” (An-Naml: 62) It also makes him know definitely that sincere dependence on Allah coupled by making use of the means is the gateway to success and attainment of desired things.

That there is no prosperity or success in this world except through following the path of Prophet, having faith and doing good deeds. It is in the light of this that he said, “Take from me your Hajj rites.” The eagerness of the Companions was embodied in this saying of Ibn Abbaas: “Do your Hajj as the Prophet did his, and do not say: This is Sunnah and this is compulsory.” One of the greatest aims of Hajj is to remember his guidance and to adhere to his path without negligence or exaggeration. The Prophet said, “Whoever performs a deed on which there is no order from us will have it rejected.”

To emphasise the importance of moderation and shunning of exaggeration and negligence in everything, Ibn Abbaas  narrated that the Prophet  told him to fetch him pebbles on the morning of ‘Aqabah (i.e. the tenth day of Thul-Hijjah) while he was on his camel. He said, “I fetched him seven throwing-pebbles. He started sorting them out in his fingers saying, ‘Throw ones like these.’ He then said, ‘O you people! Keep away from extremism in religion, for that which destroyed those who came before you was extremism in religion.’”

Dear brothers, let this great occasion be an avenue for self-examination. Let it be an opportunity for renewing ones allegiance to the book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet. Let it be a time when one shuns exaggerations and negligence in all sorts of worship. Let it also be known that Hajj should not be an occasion where one accuses his brother of abominable things without clear evidence.