a
Part one
Praise be to Allah the Sovereign, the Pure, the Peace, I thank Him () for His ample
favours and graces, and I bear witness that there is no deity worth worshipping except
Allah alone with no associate. He ordered that Hajj be made to His House and made it
a religious obligation for all Muslims. I also bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad
is the Servant and Messenger of Allah and that he is the best of all those who
performed prayers, gave zakat, practiced fasting, and stood at ‘Arafa and Al-Mash’ar
al-Harām1. We beseech Allah to send His Salat and Peace upon His Servant and
Messenger Muhammad, his family, Companions –the honorable and obedient–
thetabi’in and upon all those who followed them in righteousness.
Nowthen, servants of Allah:
I enjoin you to fear Allah and to remember that you will stand before Him on the
Day when man will see that (the deeds) which his hands have sent
1Meaning Muzdalifa, one of the holy sites of Hajj.
Translated by Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
forth, and the disbeliever will say: "Woe to me! Would that I were
dust!"[An-Naba': 40]That Day shall a man flee from his brother, And
from his mother and his father,And from his wife and his children.
Everyman, that Day, will have enough to make him careless of
others. [Abas: 34-37]
O Muslims!
In every Hajj ceremony and rite, servitude to Allah assumes its most perspicuous
form. Its effects and features can be clearly seen and sensed in observing these rites
such as ihram,2 uncovering of the head, circumambulation of Ka’bah, touching its
corner, kissing the Black Stone, the fast walking between Safā and Marwā, standing
at ‘Arafa, spending the night at Muzdalifah and Mina, casting the stones, and animal
slaughtering.
In all these rituals, there are manifestations of sincere servitude to Allah, the Lord
of the Worlds (), offering Him exclusively the worship which is the purpose behind
creating mankind. Allah Almighty () says, And I (Allâh) created not the
jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone)[Adh-
Dhariyat: 56]
All these practices again remind us of the position of Allah's servant in the
hereafter which induces perfection of belief in it –the hereafter– and the necessity to
prepare for it and not to be oblivious of it through mundane worldly affairs and not to
be infatuated and deceived by the shiny embellishments of life.
This requires accuracy of performance and adherence to the straightest paths
leading to the ultimate goal of achieving Allah’s satisfaction and gaining His generous
2A male pilgrim is not allowed to wear normal clothes; instead,he wraps himself in two pieces of
unsewn white cloth.
Translated by Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
reward. It is that abundant reward reported by the Prophet of guidance () as he says,
"Sins committed between one `Umrahand another are expiated. And the reward for
Hajj Mabrur (pilgrimage accepted by Allah) is nothing but Paradise." [Narrated by
the Two Imams in their Two Sahih Books]
Blessed be Paradise as the house of Allah’s benefaction, and the haven for His
sincere servants as a reward for those who have performed Hajj to Allah’s
satisfaction, and was among those whom Allah has described in the Qur'ānFor
those who have done good is the best (reward, i.e. Paradise) and
even more (i.e. having the honor of glancing at the Countenance of
Allâh) Neither darkness nor dust nor any humiliating disgrace shall
cover their faces. They are the dwellers of Paradise, they will abide
therein forever.[Yūnus: 26]
In order for Allah's servant to gain this promised reward, he must adhere to certain
forms of behaviour some of which are delineated in the verse: The Hajj
(pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the
10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th
month of the Islâmic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So
whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein by assuming Ihrâm),
then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit
sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. [Al-Baqarah: 197] To this effect,
the Prophet himself () said, "He who performsHajj and abstains from rafath
(sexual intercourse with his wife) nor commits sins, then he returns from Hajj as
pure and free from sins as on the day on which his mother gave birth to him."
Translated by Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
[Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim in their Two Sahih Books]
Rafathrefersto sexual intercourse and any other act related to it whereas fusūq refers
to all sorts of sinning whether covert such as shirk (associating others with Allah),
hypocrisy, and other sinful acts emanating from the heart, or overt such as cursing,
using abusive language, slandering, assaulting, and all the proscriptions imposed on
the pilgrim once he has put on his ihram.
Other forms of behavior include undertaking good deeds. A pilgrim should be kind
to the poor, orphans, and widows, support charity organizations and grant them
various kinds of aid that would help them carry out their magnanimous charity
endeavours, etc. This charitable spending in Hajj or Umrah will be rewarded, as
narrated in the Two Sahihs reporting what Aishah‒may Allah be pleased with her‒
said quoting the Prophet () as saying to her during her Umrah, “Your reward is
proportionate to your physical effort or charitable spending.”
In another version by Al-Hākim in his Al-Mustadrakthrough an authentic chain of
narrators, the previous hadithreads this way:“Your Umrah reward is proportionate to
your charitable spending.”
Another form of behaviour in this regard is the choice of halāl3 earning and using
it in performing this great religious duty. Quoting Abu Hurairah, Muslim narrates, in
his Sahih, that the Prophet () said, "Allah is Benevolent; and so He accepts but
what is benevolentand Allah commanded the faithful, as He did His Messengers,
saying, O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Taiyibât[all kinds of
Halâl(legal) foods which Allâh has made legal (meat of slaughtered
eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.], and do
righteous deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you
do.[Al-Mu’minūn: 51]; He also says,O you who believe (in the Oneness
3Halāl is everything that is legal according to Sharia law.
Translated by Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We
have provided you with, and be grateful to Allâh, if it is indeed He
Whom you worship.[Al-Baqarah: 172]. Then he mentioned the man who travels
a lot with his hair unkempt and his body dust-covered, raising his hands towards
heaven supplicating Allah: O my Lord! O may Lord! But his food is harām
(unlawful); his drink is harām, and he was nourished by harām. How would his
prayers be answered!?”
Every step a Hāj (pilgrim) takes and every phase he completes, from the moment
he departs home until he concludes his manāsik (religious ceremonies) and his Hajj
acts are indeed occasions for supplication and remembrance that call for making his
earning lawful and his spending charitable.
Another point is sincerity to Almighty Allah in all that the Hājdoes, and acting in a
lawful and wholesome way that is free from bid’ah.4 In his interpretation of the
Qur'anic verse, Who has created death and life, that He may test you
which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-
Forgiving.[Al-Mulk: 2], Al-Fudhail bin ‘Iyadh said, “An act will not be accepted if
pure but not right or right but not pure. Acts will only be accepted when they are both
pure and right. Pure means dedicated solely to Allah and right means conforming to
Sunnah.”
One of the aspects of integrity vis-à-vis Allah‒O servants of Allah‒ is abstinence
from undertaking Hajj for pride, show-off, and fame, or for the purpose of being
called Hājupon returning home. The Prophet () narrates a Hadith Qudsi via his
Lord:"I am so self-sufficient that I am in no need of having an associate. Thus he
who does an action for someone else's sake other than Mine will have that action
4Bid’ah is innovation in religion.
Translated by Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
renounced by Me to him, whom he associated with Me". It was related by Muslim in
his Sahihvia Abu Hurayrah ().
Another aspect of being sincere to Allah is to avoid notoriously expensive Ihrām
clothes, transportation, or lodging; a pilgrim should remember that he has decided to
perform Hajj in order to get the contentment of Allah and His reward. He certainly
has not decided to perform Hajj for pride, vanity, or show-off against other pilgrims
of the House of Allah.
He should take the guidance of the best of creatures [Prophet Muhammad] () as
the best example; Imam Al-Tirmithi in his book, Ashamail, and IbnMājah in his
Sunan related via an authenticchain ofnarratorsbyAnasIbnMālik () assaying: "The
Prophet () performed Hajj on a tattered saddle wearing an old gown worth four
Dirhams, or is not even worth that; then the Prophet said:"O Allah! (I pray You for)
a Hajj with no hypocrisy or desire for fame."That is to say: O Allah! Make it a Hajj
that is free of hypocrisy and desire for fame.
As for the necessity that the deed (Hajj) be performed in all legality, which means
it be in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (), the Holy Qur'ān
has indicated this and made it the basis for proper compliance (with the
Prophet’sSunnah), a means for gaining the love of Allah, and a path that leads to the
forgiveness of sins. Allah () says:Say (O Muhammad to mankind): If
you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic
Monotheism, follow the Quraan and the Sunnah), Allah will love
you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful.[Al-Imran: 31]
The Hāj to the House of Allah must follow the Sunnah in every one of the Hajj
deeds, from the moment he sets out on his trip until he returns back home. He should
keep in mind what has authentically been reported on the Prophet ()in his Farewell
Translated by Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
Pilgrimage, like what was reported in the Hadith narratedby JābirIbn Abdullah‒may
Allah be pleased with both him and hisfather‒ and which has been related by Muslim
in his Sahih.
The Hāj must make the Prophet's Farewell Pilgrimage a guiding light and a torch
that illuminates the road for him. This indeed is the ultimate rationale behind this
great Hajj and superb ritual.
Allah () so truthfully put it thus:Indeed in the messenger of Allah
(Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who
hopes for (the meeting with) Allah and the Last Day, and
remembers Allah much. [Al-Ahzāb: 21]
May Allah grant me and you the benefit of the guidance of His Book and of the
Sunnahof His Prophet ()! I say this and I ask Allah to forgive you and me and all
Muslims for all sins; He is the All Forgiving!
Part two
All praise be to Allah! We thank Him and seek His aid. We ask for His forgiveness
and we seek refuge in Him from the evils of ourselves and from our evil deeds. He
whom Allah guides, will never go astray, and he whom Allah allows to go astray will
never find guidance. I bear witnessthat there is no deity except Allah alone with no
partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger. O Allah
send Your Salat(Graces, Honours, Mercy) and Peace onto Your Servant and
Messenger, Muhammad, and his family. O Allah! Be content with the Prophet's
Companions and those who followed him in righteousness till the Day of Judgment!
Now then, O servants of Allah!
Translated by Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
Allah () has attributed to this obligatory form of worship (Hajj) two sanctities
that make an integral part of it; these are: the sanctity of time and the sanctity of place.
As some Muslim scholars have said this is to strengthen the feeling of the sanctity of
this great pillar (of Islam), so that the pilgrim may be so attentive in all his moves,
acts, and reposes. Indeed, he must be fully conscious and never oblivious, for one
second, of what goes around him.
He () added to this the sanctity of Ihram and ordained for it special rulings and
standards of behaviour in order to ascertain humilityand avoid adornmentor
beingdishevelled.Such rulings and standards of behaviour are also ordainedin order to
commend fearing and glorifying Allah, and to observe accountability vis-à-vis oneself
not to go too far in pursuing one’s fancies and whims.
These legislations and rulingsthat are relevant to the heart, the senses, the
intentions, the actions, the time and place have imparted on the obligation of Hajj a
garment of purity, piety, asceticism, observance of Allah’s commands (), selfaccountability,
and Jihad (struggle against the whims of the self).Indeed, nothing is
similar to Hajjin this respect.
Therefore Hajj has got deep effects on the self and morals validating the Hadith of
the Prophet (): "He who performs Hajj and abstains from rafath (sexual
intercourse with his wife) nor commits sins, then he returns from Hajj as pure and
free from sins as on the day on which his mother gave birth to him."
Therefore, fear Allah‒O servants of Allah‒ and know the value of this holy and
obligatory ritual; do your best to perform it as Allah wants, with all integrity and in
accordance with the guidance of Allah's Prophet ().
Always remember that Allah () has commanded you to send your Salatupon the
Seal of Prophets, the Imam of the Messengers, and the Blessing sent by Allah to the
Translated by Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
Worlds –Muhammad ibn ‘Abdillah– as He says in His Holy Book:Allâh sends
His Salât (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy) on the Prophet
(Muhammad ), and also His angels (ask Allâh to bless and forgive
him). O you who believe! Send your Salât on (ask Allâh to bless) him
(Muhammad ), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the
Islâmic way of greeting (salutation i.e. As-Salâmu ‘Alaikum).[Al-
Ahzāb: 56]
O Allah! Send Your Salat(Graces, Honours, Mercy) and Peace on Your Servant and
Messenger Muhammad! O Allah! Be pleased with his four Caliphs, Abu Bakr, Omar,
Othman and Ali, on all the Companions of Your Prophet Muhammad (), and the
tabi'în, and those who righteously followed them till the Day of Judgment! O Allah!
Be pleased with us all, along with them, by Your pardon and generosity, O You, the
Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate!
O Allah! Grant glory to Islam and Muslims! O Allah! Grant glory to Islam and
Muslims! O Allah! Grant glory to Islam and Muslims! O Allah! Protect Islam, O
Allah! Rout polytheism and polytheists and all the tyrants and corruptors! O Allah!
Unite Muslims and their ranks, set right their leaders, and unite them on what is right,
O You Lord of the worlds!
O Allah! Grant victory to Your Religion, Your Holy Book, the Sunnah of Your
Prophet (), and Your true mujahideenand servants!
O Allah! Grant us security in our homelands, and set right our Imams and leaders! O
Allah! Support with the truth our Imam and leader and provide him with a righteous
retinue, guide him to whatever You please and accept, O You the All-Hearer of
Translated by Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
supplication! O Allah! Guide our leader, his deputies and brothers to do what is good
for Islam and Muslims and what will lead to the good of your servants and their
homelands, O You to Whom everything returns on the Day of Judgment!
O Allah! Make good our outcome in all matters, and save us from the humiliation
of the worldly life and the torment of the Hereafter!
O Allah! Make better our religion which is our bond, and make better our Dunya(life
in this world) which is the source of our living! O Allah! Make better our Hereafter to
which we are returning, and make life for us an increase of all that is good, and death
a relief from every evil!
O Allah! We ask You to guide us to do good deeds, forsake reprehensible actions
and love the needy! O Allah! We ask You to forgive us and have mercy upon us!
O Allah! If You want to send an affliction on some people, we beseech You to take
our lives before your affliction is sent!
O Allah! We seek refuge with You against the disappearance of Your blessing, the
departure of Your wellbeing, the suddenness of Your revenge, and all forms of Your
wrath!
O Allah! Make it an accepted (Mabroor) Hajj, a rewarded effort, and a forgiven
sin!
…Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the
Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the
Fire! [Al-Baqarah: 201]
Translated by Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If
You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall
certainly be of the losers." [Al-A’raf: 23]
O Allah! Send Your Salat(Graces, Honours, and Mercy) and Peace on Your Servant
and Messenger, Muhammad, on his family and all of his Companions!
