The Significance and Virtues of Hajj By Hafiz Masum Ahmed Dudhrachki

Daily Bijoy News Special Correspondent:

The Significance and Virtues of Hajj
By Hafiz Masum Ahmed Dudhrachki

Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is one of the greatest blessings bestowed upon believers by Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. It is a unique act of worship that fosters spiritual growth, peace of heart, and blessings in both this life and the hereafter. Like prayer, fasting, and zakat, Hajj is an obligatory act of worship for every financially and physically capable Muslim man and woman.

Definition and Meaning

The term Hajj originates from Arabic, meaning "to intend," "to visit," "to resolve," or "to seek." In Islamic terminology, it refers to the pilgrimage to the holy Baitullah (Kaaba) in Makkah to perform specific rites within a prescribed timeframe as an act of obedience to Allah and in the hope of gaining His closeness and satisfaction.

Allah commands in the Qur’an:

"Performing Hajj for Allah is an obligation upon every person who is able to undertake the journey to Makkah." (Surah Al-Imran, 3:97)
"Perform Hajj and Umrah for Allah." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:196)

Hajj was made obligatory in the ninth year of the Hijri calendar. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) performed Hajj once with his family in the tenth year of the Hijri calendar. Every Muslim who is capable must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.

Obligation and Recommendations

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"O people! Allah has made Hajj obligatory upon you, so perform it." (Muslim, Hadith: 1337)

While performing Hajj more than once is not obligatory, it is highly recommended as a voluntary act. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated:

"Hajj is only obligatory once, but performing it more than once is a voluntary act for the believer." (Ibn Majah, Hadith: 2886)

Delaying Hajj without a valid reason is discouraged. The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned:

"Do not delay in performing the obligatory Hajj, for none of you knows what lies ahead." (Bayhaqi, Hadith: 2867)

Severe Warnings for Neglecting Hajj

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) expressed grave concern for those who fail to perform Hajj despite being able to:

"Whoever has the means to perform Hajj and does not, Allah does not care whether they die as a Jew or Christian." (Tirmidhi, Hadith: 812)

Virtues of Hajj

Hajj is both a financial and physical act of worship, endowed with immense spiritual rewards. Some of its virtues include:

1. Spiritual Purification:
   The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

   "Whoever performs Hajj with sincerity, free from sins and obscenities, returns home as pure as a newborn." (Bukhari, Hadith: 1521)

2. Forgiveness of Sins:

   "The sins committed between two Umrahs are forgiven. The only reward for an accepted Hajj is Paradise." (Muslim, Hadith: 1349)

3. Erasure of Poverty and Sins:

   "Perform Hajj and Umrah frequently, for they remove poverty and sins, just as fire purifies gold and silver." (Tirmidhi, Hadith: 810)

4. Reward for Every Step:
   The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

   "For every step the pilgrim's camel takes, Allah records a good deed, removes a sin, or raises their rank." (Ibn Hibban, Hadith: 1887)

5. A Form of Jihad:
   Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him):

   "Is Hajj a form of Jihad for women?"
   He replied: "Yes, the best Jihad for women is an accepted Hajj." (Bukhari, Hadith: 1520)

A Universal Call to Worship

Allah instructed Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to proclaim the pilgrimage:

"Proclaim the Hajj to the people; they will come to you on foot, on every kind of vehicle, from far and wide." (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:27)

Hajj unites Muslims from all corners of the world, embodying equality, humility, and devotion to Allah.

Conclusion

Hajj is a profound journey of faith and a testament to one’s devotion to Allah. It purifies the soul, removes sins, and draws the believer closer to the Creator. May Allah grant us the opportunity to perform Hajj and accept it from us. Ameen.

Author: Hafiz Masum Ahmed Dudhrachki, an esteemed Islamic scholar and former Imam and Khatib of Kadamtali Mazar Jame Mosque, Sylhet.

Daily Bijoy News/ E