The Merits of Hajj

Among the blessings of Allaah The Almighty uponHis slaves is that He
ordained for them acts ofworship that can reform their souls, like
Salaah (prayer), Zakaah (obligatory alms), fasting, Hajj (major
pilgrimage) and other such deeds which nurture and purifyindividuals
in all aspects. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): } Allaah does
not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you
andcomplete His favor upon you that you may be grateful { [Quran, 5:
6]All these acts of worship are amongst the best deeds, and Allaah The
Almighty honors His slaves by giving them opportunities to do
thoseacts of worship. Allaah The Almighty also elevates the pious
amongst His slaves when they perform those good deeds. Acts of worship
illuminate hearts, refine souls, reform one's manners and please
Allaah The Almighty. Theyalso elevate one's rank inParadise, expiate
the sinsand multiply one's reward.
Hajj is one such act of worship. It is a pillar of Islam in which
Allaah The Almighty has combined all types of ' Ibaadah (worship).
Hajj comprises the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship
but Allaah The Almighty and that Muhammad, , is His Messenger, as well
as prayer, spending in the way of Allaah The Almighty, fasting (for
those who cannot afford to pay for the sacrificial animal) , enjoining
good and forbidding evil, patience, perseverance, mercy and abstention
from forbidden things.
Hajj is one of the greatestsigns of Allaah The Almighty that what
Prophet Muhammad, , has come with is certainly the religion of truth.
No human power can gather pilgrims everyyear from all parts of the
world; pilgrims with hearts full of yearning and love, who experience
difficulties yet rejoice even when it means leaving their homes and
families. They feel that the hours of performing Hajj are the greatest
of one's life and they spend generously for this purpose. Indeed, it
is only Allaah The Almighty who can bring about such a situation. He
Says (what means): } And proclaim to the people the Hajj (pilgrimage);
they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; theywill come
from every distant pass – That they may witness (i.e., attend)
benefits for themselves and mention the Name ofAllaah on known (i.e.,
specific) days over what He has provided for themof (sacrificial)
animals. Soeat of them and feed the miserable and poor. { [Quran, 22:
27-28]
The interpreter Ibn Jareer and others reported that Ibn 'Abbaas said,
"When Allaah The Almighty commanded Prophet Ibraaheem toproclaim Hajj
among people, he said, 'My Lord, how can I convey the message to the
people as my voice cannot reach them?' Allaah The Almighty Said: 'You
call; itis Our duty to make it reach (everyone)!' So, he stood in his
position and said, 'O you people! Your Lord has chosen a House, so
perform pilgrimage to it.' It was said that the mountains became
leveled and his voice reached all parts of the earth and all that was
in the wombs and loins of men were made to hear the call and
everything that heard it, responded. So those for whom AllaahThe
Almighty has decreedto perform Hajj till the Day of Judgment
responded, saying, 'Labbayka Allaahumma Labbayk (Here I am at your
service, O Allaah, here I am).' "
Moreover, it is from the favor of Allaah The Almighty 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, andto
warn us against all that can make Him displeased with us. AllaahThe
Almighty Says (what means): } Just as We have sent among you a
messenger from yourselves reciting to youOur verses and purifying you
and teaching you theBook 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 notdeny Me. { [Quran, 2: 151-152]
Therefore, during one's pilgrimage, one has to hold fast onto the
sublime Islamic manners and etiquettes. Let your Hajj be an act of
repentance from previous sins and a source of reform and piety for the
rest of your life. Thank Allaah The Almighty and praise Him for His
bountiful blessings of peace, faith and worldly commodities; and also
for the opportunities He affords you to do righteous deeds and for the
disasters He has averted from befalling you.