…If Their Prayers Have Been Accepted
Did you know that as highly rewarding as going to Mecca to perform the Hajj is, pilgrims may not have their prayers answered if they engage in unwholesome acts?
Going to Mecca for Hajj, at least once in a year, is the dream of every Muslim on earth. It is a visit to the holy land in Mecca to observe pilgrimage which is the 5th pillar of Islam and the peak of the religion. Hajj is the most spiritual event that a Muslim experiences, observing rituals in the most sacred places in the holy land. It is one of the largest religious gathering that is witnessed every year and it cuts across the 7 continents with faithfuls worshipping together at the same place.
Every year, millions of Muslims congregate in Kaabah, a house of Islamic monotheistic worship built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Ismail, thousands of years ago. On completion of the building, Allah instructed Prophet Ibrahim to call mankind to Hajj and since then the place has not been deserted as believers from all over the world have faithfully responded to this call by walking long distances, riding horses or camels, sailing with boats, taking trains and airplanes to Mecca for Hajj. Over the years, Kaaba, has undergone a series of reconstructions and transformations into the elegant edifice it has become today. Muslims worshipers around the world face the direction of Kaaba during their five daily prayers.
Hajj is a highly rewarding act of worship which requires both physical and financial strength from intending pilgrims. Those who cannot afford the hajj are sometimes sponsored by charities or community leaders. Others merely save up to be able to embark on the holy pilgrimage to the city of Mecca.
The physical aspect of it involves pilgrims performing some ritual acts such as entering into a state of spiritual purity known as “Ihram” that is aimed at shedding acts of materialism, giving up worldly pleasures and focusing on the inner self over outward appearance. Women forgo makeups, perfumes and wear loose-fitting clothing and a head covering, while men dress in seamless, white terry garments. The white garments are forbidden to have any stitching — a restriction meant to emphasize the equality of all Muslims and prevent wealthier pilgrims from differentiating themselves with more classy and expensive garments.
Pilgrims are forbidden from engaging in sexual intercourse, cutting their hair or trimming nails while in the state of ihram. It is also forbidden for pilgrims to argue, fight or lose their tempers during the hajj. Inevitably, though, the massive crowd and physical exhaustion of the journey test pilgrims’ patience and tolerance.
Then you may want to know what are the gains pilgrims derive from performing Hajj and why every Muslim wants to go to Mecca. Some of the benefits of Hajj are stated below:
Hajj is one of the best righteous deeds and acts of obedience. According to a companion of Prophet Muhammad, Abu Hurairah who narrated that the Prophet was asked: ‘What is the best deed?’ He replied: ‘To have faith in Allah and His Messenger.’ The enquirer asked: ‘What next?’ The Prophet said: ‘To perform Jihad for the Sake of Allah.’ The enquirer asked: ‘What next?’ The Prophet said: ‘A valid and accepted.’ [Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Al-Tirmidhi, Al-Nasa’i, and Ahmad].
Hajj equals in reward observing Jihad for the Sake of Allah. “O Messenger of Allah! We see that Jihad is the best deed. Should we (women) not actively participate in it?’ The Prophet replied, “No, the best Jihad for you is a valid and accepted Hajj.” [Al-Bukhari]. According to another narration, she said: “Should we (women) not actively participate in fighting Jihad along with you?” The Prophet was reported to have replied that: “For you, the best and most beautiful Jihad is a valid and accepted Hajj.” So, ‘Aisha commented: “I will never abandon Hajj after hearing these words from the Prophet”[Al-Bukhari]
Entering Paradise is the reward of observing valid and accepted Hajj and that is the ultimate goal of every believer who goes to Mecca for Hajj. The prophet stated another condition as narrated by one of his companions, Abu Hurairah, he replied that: “An Umrah to another Umrah will be redemption of sins for whatever occurs between them, and entering Paradise is the reward of a valid and accepted Hajj.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Also, a valid and accepted Hajj purifies sins. The same Abu Hurairah also narrated that he heard the Prophet say: “Whoever performs a Hajj and did not commits sexual intercourse nor sins will return as sinless as a new born child is on the very day his mother delivered him.” [Al-Bukhari]. According to another.
Performing Hajj often wipes out poverty. These companions Ibn Masud and Ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet said: “Perform Hajj and Umrah successively for they remove poverty and sins just as fire removes the impurities of iron.” [Al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
Those performing the Hajj are the guests of Allah, and He has pledged to generously host and honour them. Umar informed that the Prophet said: “The pilgrims of the Hajj and Umrah are the guests of Allah; and when they supplicate to Him, He answers their supplication; and when they ask for His forgiveness, He forgives them.” [Ibn Majah]
With all the aforementioned benefits, pilgrims stand to gain from visiting the holy land in Mecca, it is very important to take note of habits that can make their worships in Mecca not accepted despite committing their physical strength and financial resources to it.
There are three prominent signs that will prepare a Muslim for an acceptable Hajj. These include a righteous life, strengthened faith, and rewards from Allah Almighty. However, to know for sure if your Hajj has been accepted, you must examine yourself and determine the influence of the pilgrimage (Umrah and Hajj) on your lifestyle which includes your deeds, words, attitude, and heart must be enduring. Think about the good deeds that you have done in the previous ten days and keep doing them in order to prepare yourself for a better life in the Hereafter.
As rewarding as Hajj may appear, pilgrims can miss out on getting these benefits when they not adhere strictly to the rules in Mecca. Also, one’s conduct after returning is also very important. Deviating from some of the pious and devotional lifestyles imbibed and going back into old sinful and evil ways can be a red alert indicating that the person’s gains have depreciated or is not to be accepted. Returning to sin after being cleansed by Hajj, gradually melts the bountiful reward of performing the holy pilgrimage just as a candle melts when lighted. If a pilgrim notices that he or she is not in tune with God’s commandments, such a person should be wary and quickly retrace his or her steps to the right path.
May Allah accept the prayers of the pilgrims who just returned from the holy land, guide them aright and reward them all. May He make Hajj a reality for many Muslims who wish to go someday.
-Jamiu Abubakar
