The importance Of Hajj 1

Yousuf Saleh - August 2014

All Praise is due to Allah (swt) who is the Sustainer of all the Universe. May the peace and blessings of Allah (swt) be upon Muhammad (saws), his family, his companions and all those who follow him in righteousness until the day of resurrection.

Respected brothers and sisters at home; Today our Khutba is about ‘The importance of Hajj in Islam’Allah (swt) Says in Quran “The Hajj is in the well-known months “The Months of Hajj have approached us, and they are Shawaal, Thul-qeedah, and the first ten days of Thul-hijjah. So, after finishing the month of fasting and after discussing how to maintain life after Ramadan,Today it is important to talk about another important pillar of Islam, which happens to be hajj. Pilgrimage to the sacred house of Allah (swt) in Mecca. Our deen Islam will not be completed until we fulfil it.

We noticed here in the local community many Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it, but they, for some reason or anotherhave not done so yet. Allah (S.W.T.) said in surat Al-Imran, (ch-3, verse 96 & 97), “Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakka (Mecca), full of blessing, and a guidance for AlAlamin. In it are manifest Signs (for example), the Maqam (place) of Abraham; Whosoever enters it, he attains security. And hajj to the House is a duty mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the way (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves(denies hajj, then Allah stands not in need of any of the creatures.” There are many ahadith of the prophet (S.A.W.) which tell us about virtues of hajj. Hajj is the best of deeds after Iman and Jihad. Imam Bukhari reported that theProphet (S.A.W.) was asked one time, which are the best of deeds? He answered:

“To believe in Allah and His messenger.” He was asked: Then what? He answered: “Then to perform jihad in the cause of Allah.” Then He was asked, what’s next? He said, “Next comeshajjunmabroor.” (Pilgrimage that is completed, (with pure intention and clear of any sins).

Hajj is the best and the most beautiful types of Jihad for women, the elderly and the weak people. Imam Bukhari reportedthat onceAisha asked him, O messenger of Allah, we see that jihad is the best of deeds, should we (women) perform it? He answered, “For you O women the best and most beautiful type of jihad is hajjonMabroor.” Imam An-Nisa’i reported a hadith that the prophet (S.A.W.) said, “Jihad for the old, the weak, and the women is hajj.”

Respected brothers and sisters at home, Hajj will wipe out all the sins. Imam Bukhari and Muslim reported that the prophet (S.A.W.) said, “He who performs hajj and does not commit any indecent acts and evil deeds, He will come back as clear of sins as if he had just been born.” The reward of hajj is Jannah (paradise). Imams Bukhari andMuslim reported that the prophet (S.A.W.) said, “From one umrah to another, there is wiping of the sins that had been committed between the two of them, but for hajj mabroor there is no reward but Jannah (Paradise).” The Hujjajpilgrims are the guests of Allah. In a hadith the prophet (S.A.W.) said, “The pilgrims and those who are performing umrah are the guest of Allah. If they ask Him for something He would respond, and if they ask Him for forgiveness He will forgive them.”

The money Spent during the hajj journey will be rewarded by being multiplied seven hundred times. Imams Ahmad, Tabarani and Bayhaqi reported a hadith the prophet (S.A.W.) said, “Spending in the hajj journey is like spending in the cause of Allah, each derham (pound) is rewarded by seven hundred times.”

Respected brothers and sisters at home, Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime. ImamBukhari andMuslim reported that the prophet (S.A.W.) one time stood up and delivered a speech saying, “O people, Allah has prescribed upon you hajj,so perform Hajj.” A man said, “Is it mandatory to do it every year O messenger of Allah?” At that point the prophet remained silent, but the man insistent and asked the question three times, then the prophet responded, said“If I said yes, it wouldbecome mandatory, but you would not be able to bare it.”

Who has to perform hajj? Hajj is an obligation on every Muslim male and female who has reached the age of puberty and is sane and able because Allah said, “pilgrimage to the house is a duty of people to Allah for those who have the means to do it.”

What does ability mean? A person should be in good health physically, so if he is unable to perform hajj for chronic illness or old age he will have to have someone else perform hajj on his behalf. The Route for the pilgrimage should be safe, so that the pilgrim will feel secure over himself as well as his possessions. A person should have enough money to spend on himself and his family while he is away, he or she should have enough money to spend on travel and other necessary expenses. A person cannot go for hajj if he/ she has a loan due at once, unless he/she has permission from the loaning person allowing him/ her to go for hajj.

However, when a person has delayed payments (installments) due on his/ her loan, and the loan is not due all at once, then the case is different. The person is ONLY required to pay that month’s payment before he/she can go for hajj journey.Those who pay mortgage for many years they are required to for that month only to become eligible for Hajj. For women on top of the conditions we have discussed, they should be with a husband or finding a Mahram (male family member that can never marry her Islamically).

Can hajj be postponed or does it have to be done immediately after a person has fulfilled the conditions? There are two opinions of the scholars: From here we will talk next week Insha Allah.

May bless you and guide us all.