HAJJ is the 5th Pillar of Islam. It is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation upon male and female, sane and adults who are eligible (whose health and means permit it).
In the words of the Glorious Qur’an
“Pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allaah for mankind, who can find a way to perform it” [Surah Ale Imran, Verse 97]
In carrying this obligation, Muslims fulfil Allaah’s call to Ibraheem (pbuh):
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.“ [Surah Hajj, Verse 27]
- Hajj Mabrur (Accepted Hajj) entitles a pilgrim to get Paradise in return. [Bukhari & Muslim]
- Hajj done according to Sunnah expiates all previous sins. [Bukhari]
- Repeatedly doing Hajj and Umrah drives away poverty and sins. [Ibn Ma’jah]
- The supplications (Du’a) of persons doing Hajj and Umrah are granted by Allaah. [Ibn Ma’jah]
- A person en-route to Hajj or Umrah dies before reaching his destination, still he will have his full reward [Bayhaqi]
- One who is engaged in Hajj or Umrah, meets with his death in the state of Ihram will on the Last Day rise reciting Talbiyah. [Sunan Nasa’i]
“Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of Ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do – Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah . And fear Me, O you of understanding.” [Surah Al Baqaah, Verse 197]
- Consciousness of Allah
The best thing to please Allaah is to watch constantly for Him and be conscious and tearful of Him in all your actions and speech. - Correct ‘Aqeedah
Every Muslim should understand that if his/her belief, or Aqeedah is not sound, the Hajj or any other Ibaadah (worship) is not accepted. So always try to correct your belief by asking scholars who will provide you with proofs from the Qur’an and Sunnah. - Pure Intention
Almighty Allaah does not accept what is not directed to Him alone. Therefore, you should always be sincere and have pure intention for Hajj. - Correctness of Rituals
Any ritual is not accepted unless it is made correctly, exactly as Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) did it. “Whoever adds something new to our religion, it is rejected.” - Patience
The difficulty of performing rituals requires every pilgrim to be patient and forgiving of others. - Repentance
Do your best to make Hajj, repentance for all your sins. This repentance requires you not to commit any of these sins again. - Mercy
Do your best to help Muslims, avoid pushing or hurting them in any of the Hajj rituals, especially in Tawaaf, Sa’ee, and pebble throwing, which are crowded. - Cleanliness
Cleanliness is a true sign of faith. Therefore, you should always keep your heart, body, food, drink and everything clean. Also, ask others to keep ritual and worship places as clean as possible.
Hajj Mabroor (an accepted Hajj) is
- A Hajj performed with the intention of seeking Allaah’s pleasure only (complete sincerity).
- A Hajj free of sin; i.e. conducted with full obedience to Allaah (swt).
- A Hajj performed in accordance with the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
- A Hajj that is not followed by disobedience.
Al Hassan al Basri said:
“Al-Hajj al Mabroor is to return abstinent from this world & desiring the Hereafter.”