How many times did you go to the Sacred House of Allah?

Source: “Kam Qasadta Baita-Allahil-Haram,” by Azhari Ahmad Mohammad. Daar Ibn Khuzaimah

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent Most Merciful (Bism Allah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem)

All Praise be to Allah, the One and Only One Who is free of all defects and imperfections. May peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam).

All perfect praise is due to Allah; may Allah exalt the mention of Prophet Muhammad, his Companions and those who follow him in his footsteps.

My Muslim brother, five times every day and night, while the faithful hearts face towards the Ancient House, Al-Ka’bah, praying to Allah Almighty wherever a true Muslim is, he directs his face toward Al-Ka’bah, the purest of places in this world.

“Verily! We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad’s (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid- al-Harâm (at Makkah). And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction. Certainly, the people who were given the Scriptures (i.e. Jews and the Christians) know well that, that (your turning towards the direction of the Ka’bah at Makkah in prayers) is the truth from their Lord. And Allâh is not unaware of what they do.” Al Baqarah 2:144

This pure house is the first house placed on earth for people; Allah inserted its worship in believers’ hearts; wherever they are they long for it deeply in their hearts.

“Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-‘Alamîn (the mankind and jinns), in it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqâm (place) of Ibrâhim (Abraham); whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allâh, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allâh], then Allâh stands not in need of any of the ‘Alamîn (mankind and jinns)^.” Al Imran 3:96-97

It is of the mercy for Allah for His Slaves that He commanded Hajj only for those who are capable among Muslims.

As one of the questions that was the start in the journey of “holding to account”, we ask those who are perfectly capable and made the means easy for them to perform Hajj, how many times did you go to Allah’s Sacred House?

But someone might say that he who went to Makkah for Hajj and ‘Umrah (Minor Hajj) has performed the “Fard” duty, so why are you asking him to go many times?

Our response is that since Hajj is not possible for everyone, Allah, the merciful, has obliged it only once in a lifetime for Muslims, but no doubt that whoever exceeds the once in a lifetime Hajj is seeking more of the good and the reward. All believers are required to increase in performing acts of obedience.

Therefore, the Ancestors (Salaf) of this Ummah understood this and were keen to go to the Ancient House to experience feelings and meanings they will only find there.

• Nafi’ said: “I traveled with son of ‘Umar (‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar) more than thirty times between Hajj and ‘Umrah.”
• Al-Hasan (son of Ali bin Abi Talib) (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)performed pilgrimage fifteen times many of which he traveled by foot from Madinah to Makkah with his children.

• Ibn al-Musayyeb (Rahimahullaah) performed pilgrimage forty times

• Ataa’ bin Rabah  (Rahimahullaah) performed over seventy pilgrimages

• Hilal bin Khabbab said: “Sa’id bin Jubair used to assume Ihram twice a year, once for Hajj and once for ‘Umrah.”

• Al-Aswad bin Yazeed Al-Nakh’iey (Rahimahullaah) performed over eighty pilgrimages between Hajj and ‘Umrah.

• Abdul-Rahman bin Mahdi (Rahimahullaah) used to perform pilgrimage every year.

• Sahnoon al-Faqih said: “Ibn Wahb divided his lifetime into three thirds, one third in Ribat, one third teaching people in Egypt and one third in Hajj. It was mentioned that he performed Hajj thirty six times.”

• Ibn Shawthab said: “I saw the funeral of Tawoos in Makkah, in the year one hundred and five, people were saying: ‘May Allah be merciful with Abu Abdur-Rahman, he performed over forty pilgrimages.'”

My Muslim brother, these followers were eager to attend the purest spot on earth to perform the Hajj and ‘Umrah despite of the great difficulties they encountered during their trips.

For those who have the opportunity to go, do not waste the chance to win this reward and become one of Allah’s, the King of all Kings’, guests in that pure holy land. Many long to get this opportunity but reasons and excuses prevented them from having it.

Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Those who are performing Hajj or ‘Umrah are the guests of Allah Almighty. He called them and they responded to Him, they asked Him and He gave them.” [Al-Bazzar, Sahih al-Targheeb by al-Albany: 1107]

How many rewards were lost by those negligent who didn’t perform Hajj while having the means.

Ibn  ‘Umar bin al-Khattab (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)  said: “I was sitting in a mosque in Mina, a man from the Ansar  and a man from Thaqeef came to the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) and said: ‘We have come to ask you.’

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘If you wish I will tell you what you came to ask me for, and if you wish go ahead with your question.’ They said: ‘Tell us, O Prophet of Allah!’ The man from Thaqeef told the Ansari: ‘Ask!’ The Ansari said: ‘Tell us O Messenger of Allah!’ The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘You came to ask about departing your home aiming to the Sacred House  and what’s in it for you (i.e what will you get if you do so),  and about the two Rak’at after Tawaf  and what’s in it for you, and about your Sa’i  between Safa and Marwa and what’s in it for you, and about your standing at ‘Arafah  and what’s in it for you, and your throwing the Jamarah  and what’s in it for you, and your slaughtering the sacrificial animal and what’s in it for you and about Ifada Tawaf.’ They said: ‘Yes, our Messenger, that’s exactly what we came to ask you about.’

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘When you depart your home aiming to the Sacred House, Allah will reward you for every step of your camel and will remit a sin of yours with each. As for the two Rak’at after Tawaf, it’s reward is equal to freeing a slave from the sons of Ismael, may peace be upon him.

The reward for your Sa’i between Safa and Marwa, is equal  to freeing seventy slaves.

As for your standing at ‘Arafah, Allah Almighty comes down to the nearest heaven and tells the angels boastfully: ‘My slaves have come tired from every distant route asking for My Mercy, I forgive all their sins even if they were as many as the sands (of the world), or as the number of drops of rain or as many as the foam of the sea. Depart My slaves, I have forgiven you and all those whom you have asked forgiveness for.’

As for the (Jamarah) throwing of the stones, you will have expiation for a major sin which you have done, with every pebble you throw.

As for your offering the sacrifice, this will be saved for you with Allah in eternity.

As for your shaving your hair, you will get a Hasanah (good deed) and a sin will be remitted with every hair you have shaved.

And thereafter, when you do the Tawaf (Ifada), you will have no sins and an angel will put his hands between your shoulders and say: ‘All your past sins have been forgiven; work for your future.’” [Reported Al-Tabarani and Bazzar in Sahih Targheeb by al-Albany no. 1112]

Is it not a great loss to lose such an opportunity and such booties?

If people contemplated on the great reward, they would realize they are at a great loss.

So many people have wasted their youth and strength running after sins and desires.

They rush with quick steps towards the sins and stay away from great opportunities like the Hajj.

They prefer to run after their desires than to run between Safa  and Marwa, and to drink alcohol rather than drinking Zamzam water, and to stand watching things that are prohibited instead of standing at ‘Arafat, and to throw sinful talk rather than throwing stones during Hajj rites.

Also, eating Riba and unlawful earnings is more tempting for them than eating Halal nusuk (sacrifice). Abandoning sins is harder for them than bidding the Ancient House (Ka’bah) farewell.

Do not be drawn to pull away from this journey (to visit Allah’s House), either you are capable of going, and you should go, or you are incapable, in which case you are excused.

As for those who truthfully and faithfully intend to go to Hajj but were faced with obstacles, the true intention will be counted by Allah, the Almighty, the Generous, and get the reward as if they actually went.

For those who are capable, wake up and hurry with quick footsteps to this holy spot, as you will not find a better place to invoke Allah than this pure spot.  It is in that spot that supplications are answered, obstacles are removed and goods are doubled.

Obaid ibn Omair said, the son of Omar bin al-Khattab was jamming himself among the crowds around the Ka’bah between the two corners (the Yemenite corner and the Black Stone) in a way which I have never seen any of the Prophet’s (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) Companions do before, so I told him that and his reply was: “Yes I’m doing that because I heard the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) say that wiping them blots off all one’s sins. And He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) also said that for every footstep one does, a good deed will be written for him and a sin will be erased.”  [Tirmithi and Ahmad, in Sahih al-Tirmithi by al-Albany: 959]

See how many rewards you will be missing if you miss out on going to House of Allah? They are booties that the righteous people competed for and the believing worshippers raced to.

Yet, there are people who have wasted these rewards, though they were capable of visiting the Holy House. They are at loss.

It is the Jihad (struggle in Allah’s cause) in which there is no harm (without arm).

A man came to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) and asked him about Jihad. He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) told him: “shall I guide you to a Jihad without arm? Performing pilgrimage to the House (Ka’bah).” [Tabarani in Al-Kabir wa Al-Awsat in Sahih Al Jami’ 2611]

Omar bin al-Khattab (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “When you come back from the wars, go to Hajj and ‘Umrah. It is one of the two Jihads.”

Al-Hafedh ibn Rajab said: “Hajj and ‘Umrah are Jihad because they exhaust ones money, soul and body.”

Abu Shaa’thaa said: “I looked at the good deeds that please Allah; I found prayer (Salat) exhausts the body but not the money, and fasting is the same, but Hajj exhausts both, so I found it the best.”

Rewards of Performing Hajj and ‘Umrah:

1. Winning good and reward in every footstep.

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “For every step that the camel of the pilgrim takes, Allah will write for hims a Hasanah (good deed), or remit one of his sins or raise him one degree (in heaven).” [Reported by al-Baihaqy and Ibn Habban in Sahih at-Targheeb by al-Albany no: 1106]

2. Tawaf around the Ka’bah equals freeing a slave.

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who does Tawaf for one week without vain or evil talk, will get a reward that equals freeing a slave.” [Tabarani, Sahih at-Targheeb 114]  (One week: means seven times)

3. Testimony of the Black Stone on the Day of Judgment.

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “By Allah, Allah will resurrect the Black Stone on the Day of Judgment, with two eyes with which it sees and a tongue which talks, testifying for those who touched it truthfully.” [Tirmithi,  Ibn Majah  and al-Darmy- Sahih Tirmithi by al-Albany 961]

4. Continuous performance of Hajj and ‘Umrah prevents  poverty and sins.

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Follow up between Hajj  and ‘Umrah; this continuity removes poverty  and sins like a bellow removes the malice of iron.” [Tirmithi,  Ibn Majah and others- Sahih Ibn Majah by al-Albany 2352]

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “(The performance of) ‘Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s sake only and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do eveil or sins, will return after Hajj free from all sins as if he were born anew.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s Sake only and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

5. He who dies while performing ‘Umrah or Hajj, the reward of ‘Umrah or Hajj will be written for him until the Day of Resurrection.

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who goes out to perform Hajj and dies will have the reward of performing Hajj until the Day of Resurrection; he who goes to perform ‘Umrah and dies will have the reward of performing ‘Umrah until the Judgment Day; he who goes out for Jihad and dies will have the reward of fighter in Allah’s cause until the Judgment Day.” [Abu Yaa’la – Sahih Targheeb 1114]

6. ‘Umrah in Ramadhan equals the reward of performing Hajj.

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said to a woman from Ansar: “When Ramadan comes, perform a ‘Umrah, a ‘Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj”[Bukhari and Muslim]

7. Receiving the glad tidings of Paradise.

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who says “La Ilaha Illa Allah” (There is no true deity but Allah) and says “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Great) will be given the glad tiding.” They asked, “Of Paradise?” The Messenger of Allah said: “Yes.” [Tabarani in Al-Awsat/ Al-Silsilah Al-Sahiha 1621]

These are the great rewards of going to the House of Allah, and the truly deprived one is the one who deprived himself from this great opportunity.

So many Holy breezes in that sacred spot and granted rewards to those present there.

Ibn Abbas (Rahimahullaah) said: “If the ones who stayed back had known the rights of the pilgrims upon them and what the pilgrims return with, they would have run to them and kissed their riding animals, because they were the guests of Allah among all humans.”

So beware O Muslim, and do not abstain from going to Allah’s Sacred House if you are capable of going and have no excuse.

All perfect praise is due to Allah; may Allah exalt the mention of Prophet Muhammad, his companions and those who follow in his footsteps.