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Hazrat Um Salmah R.A. reports that Rasulullah Sal’am said: “Whosoever puts on his ihraam for an umrah from Baitul Muqaddas, shall be forgiven’.

This Hadith speaks for itself. One Tabi’iyya, (A Muslim woman who saw the Prophet Sal’am). Hazrat Um Hakeem R.A. hearing this hadith from hazrat Um Salmah R.A. undertook a special journey to Baitul Muqaddas to put on her ihraam there, for an umrah to Mecca. (Targheeb)

That was the spirit of those people that whenever they heard the commands and advices of Rasulullah Sal’am they immediately endeavored to put them into action, according to their means. They never cared about the hardship they had to undergo.  Read more... (151 words, estimated 36 secs reading time)

Hazrat Abu Hurairah R.A. reports that Rasulullah Sal’am said; ‘The Hajis and those who perform umrah are Allah’s deputation. When they pray to Him, He answers them, and when they seek His forgiveness, He forgives them.’

The Hajis and those enroute to perform umrah are a deputation with special duties towards Allah. In the same manner that we have deputation and delegations going to the courts of great men and rulers, these people go to present themselves at Allah’s house. And in the same manner that a delegation desires to be honored, these people are honored in Allah’s presence. According to one Hadith: ‘The delegation of Allah are of three kinds: ‘the fighters in His way, those who perform Haj and those who perform umrah.’ (Mishkaat)  Read more... (342 words, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

18. When an animal has been hired car should be taken that only so much baggage should be loaded as the owner allows and no more. If the rental paid was for certain weight of baggage nothing more than that is permissible. The very same applies to a journey by rail, motor or plane. When a certain amount is allowed, it is not permissible without additional payments to take more than that, by concealing some items. Our elders used to be very careful of this. Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Mubaarak R.A., the famous Muhaddith and Imaam once proceeded on a journey on a rented animal. Someone requested him to take a letter along. He said: ‘I have already shown all my baggage to the owner of the camel. Now I shall have to inform him once more of this letter. If he would give permission I shall take the letter and deliver it.’ (Ithaaf)  Read more... (2415 words, estimated 9:40 mins reading time)

Hazrat Ibn Umar R.A. reports: ‘A certain man once asked Rasulullah Sal’am: ‘What is the true condition and appearance of a Haji?’. To which Rasulullah Sal’am replied: ‘The true Haji it he who comes with disheveled hair and clothes laden in dust; and moist with sweat.’ Then another inquired: ‘O Rasulullah Sal’am which Haj is in which the voice is loudly raised; repeatedly reading the Lab’baik and the excessive shedding of the blood of the sacrificial animals’.  Read more... (1039 words, estimated 4:09 mins reading time)

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)

I wish to end this chapter with a story related by the author of ‘Ithaaf’.

Once one of the mureeds of Sheikh Shilbi; the great saint; came to visit him after having performed Haj. The Sheikh asked him some questions. The mureed continues the story:

The Sheikh asked me: “Did you make a determined niyah for Haj?”

I replied: “Yes I made a firm intention for performing Haj.”

Sheikh: “Together with having made a firm intention for Haj; did you also have a firm niyah of forever giving up doing all those things you did since you were born that are opposed to the spirit of Haj?”  Read more... (1287 words, estimated 5:09 mins reading time)

Following, are a further few points of the deeper meaning of Haj. These I wish to outline merely as a specimen indicative of the many significance of Haj, similar to the two points of wisdom and virtue mentioned at the beginning of this chapter.

1. There are times when rulers, governors and kings call the various classes of their subjects together to discuss matters with them and receive reports. For this reason they are often made into various organizations; and each has its annual conference. This is what happens in Haj where representatives from all over the glove, from all spheres of life and from all ranks; gather at His House. Such is the Haj congregation.  Read more... (1922 words, estimated 7:41 mins reading time)

Hazrat Aa’isha R.A. reports from Rasulullah Sal’am: “Verily the angels shake hands with the Hajees arriving in Mecca mounted (on horses, camels etc), and embrace those arriving on foot.”

When Hazrat Ibn Abbas become sick, he said: “Nothing fills me with more regret and sorrow than the fact that I did not perform Hajj on foot.”

Indeed Allah mentioned those arriving in Mecca on foot in the Ayah of the Quran (Durre Mansoor)

This Ayah and its translation has been mentioned at the beginning of the book.

Hazrat Ismail A.S. used to perform Hajj on foot. (Durre Mansoor)  Read more... (857 words, estimated 3:26 mins reading time)

Hazrat Ibn Abbas R.A reports from Rasulullah Sal’am who said: “Whoever goes for Hajj to Mecca on foot, and return; for him is written the reward of seven hundred good deeds performed in the Holy Haram for every stride taken.” The companions asked: “And what is the meaning of good deeds of the Haram?”  Read more... (348 words, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

Today you are to perform the most important fundamental of Hajj, without which Hajj does not stand performed. Today, when the sun rises a bit high you are to set out for Arafat from Mina. Outside the precincts of Haram and at a distance of 9 miles from Mecca, Arafat is that great open field where the Holy Prophet Hazrat Adam and Hazrat Hawwa were mutually acquainted and met together after their separation. This very acquaintance (ma’rifa or t’aruf) is said to be the root of the name of Arafat.  Read more... (296 words, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)