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Various ulama have written numerous booklets on Haj and how it should be performed; and the etiquette of every obligatory act. For most people a Haj journey comes but once in a lifetime. For this reason it is advisable that the intending Haji should acquire a few such booklets by acknowledged ulama; some time before his departure; and study them thoroughly. How unworthy and unfortunate will it be that after spending so much money; one finds that it has been wasted as result of wrong and prohibited acts rendering the Haj invalid.  Read more... (818 words, estimated 3:16 mins reading time)

“Pilgrimage to the House (of Allah) is a duty man owes to Allah upon those who can afford the journey.”

The ulama inform us that Hajj became obligatory when this verse was revealed. When we look at the verse we see a lot of emphasis and stress. Let us study it:

Firstly, we find a Laam on the word of Allah (Lillaahi) which lays emphasis on the fact that Hajj is obligatory. (see Allama Ainy)

‘Alan-naas’ is another term that denotes extreme emphasis.  Read more... (437 words, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

Hazrat Jaabir R.A. reports: “Verily Allah causes three people to enter into Paradise through one Hajj; The deceased, (on whose behalf this Hajj is being performed) the Haaji performing it and he (the heir or others) who makes possible its performance (by financial aid).”
Rasulullah (Salallaho Alaihi Wassallam) has said that when a person performs Hajj on behalf of another, he gets the same reward as the one whose behalf it is being performed. (Kanz)

Ibn Hazrat Muwaffaq R.A. says: “I have performed Hajj numerous times on behalf of Rasulullah Sal’am. Once Rasulullah (Salallaho Alaihi Wassallam) appeared in my dream and said: “O Ibn Muwaffaq, did you perform Hajj on my behalf?”  Read more... (423 words, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

The ulama have written considerably on this subject. But as far as I know, there isn’t a more comprehensive and eloquent article than that which has been written by Hadrat Maulana Shah Wali Ullah rahmatullahi alayh. Although it would have been preferable for me to quote his article word for word, for the sake of brevity, I will merely give a summary of what he has written.

1. There is nothing more beneficial or profitable than making a particular form of ibaadah into a second nature to the extent that that ibaadah becomes a necessity and it becomes impossible to leave it just as it is almost impossible to give up a particular habit. And there is no form of ibaadah greater than salaat which could be accorded such importance.  Read more... (591 words, estimated 2:22 mins reading time)