Easy ways to earn great rewards

This does not mean that we are exempt from the obligation to perform the pilgrimage once in our lives, but it means that we can engage in rituals of worship that will earn us great rewards.

As we saw images of thousands of pilgrims flooding into Makkah and the white tents springing up in Mina, our hearts longed to be there. Some of us were unable to perform Haj this year, and we feel that we missed out on a great opportunity to earn rewards and to wipe out our sins.

For those who wish to win the rewards from Allah and attain His mercy and forgiveness but were unable to perform Haj, there are acts of worship that could be equal in rewards to the rewards for Haj. This does not mean that we are exempt from the obligation to perform the pilgrimage once in our lives, but it means that we can engage in rituals of worship that will earn us great rewards.

Forgive others so that Allah may forgive you. Holding rancor and hatred towards others who have wronged you is keeping you from being a better person.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was sitting with a group of his companions in the mosque and he said, “A man will now enter [who is] from the people of Paradise.”

A certain companion walked in, a seemingly regular man. Later, it happened again, and then a third time, and each time this man was described by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as an inhabitant of Paradise.

Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-Aaas  wanted to find out what was so special about this man, so he asked the man if he could stay at his house for three days. While staying with him, Abdullah watched him closely but he noticed that the man did not do anything out of the ordinary. So after three days, Abdullah told the man the reason why he requested to stay with him, and he asked him what it was that could be the reason why he was from the people of Paradise.

The man could not think of anything, but he said “Every night, before I go to sleep, I forgive whoever has wronged me. I remove any bad feelings towards anyone from my heart.”
Therefore, forgiving others can make us among the people of Paradise.

Praying Fajr in congregation and then dedicating your time for the remembrance of Allah until the sun rises can be equivalent to the reward for Haj.

Anas, the close companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever prays the Fajr prayer in congregation and then he remains sitting mentioning Allah until the sun rises, and then he prays two Rak’ahs, will receive the reward of one Hajj and one Umrah, complete, complete, complete.” (At-Tirmithi)

If we were unable to be among the pilgrims in Makkah this year, we can still be worshippers in the mosques in any city of the world, and we can anticipate great rewards from Allah. Going to the mosque to pray in congregation is highly rewarded, and walking to the mosque is even better. Do not leave the mosque as soon as Fajr prayer is over; sit in the mosque to mention Allah’s name and read the Qur’an and supplicate. How amazing would you feel if the angels were asking Allah to forgive you for your sins?

Abu Hurayrah, the well known transmitter of Hadith, reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “The angels supplicate in favor of one of you so long as he remains in the place where he performed Salat [prayer] in a state of ablution. They [the angels] say, ‘O Allah forgive him, O Allah, have mercy on him.’” (Al-Bukhari)

Join a study group at your local mosque, whether it is to read the Qur’an or study its meanings or to study sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Whether you go to learn or to help someone else learn, your rewards will be as great as that of a pilgrim; just make sure that your intention is to seek the rewards from Allah.

Abu Umamah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever leaves for the mosque in the morning for no reason but to learn goodness or teach others, then he will have a reward as if he has completed the Haj pilgrimage.” (Al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr)

Many of us do not place much importance on the voluntary prayer, Al-Duha prayer, but if we understood how tremendous its rewards are, we would not miss it.

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “None could observe Duha prayer regularly except a penitent.” (At-Tabarani)

A penitent person is someone who repents, who feels sorrow for wrong doings, and who seeks forgiveness from God.

As for the time to pray Al-Duha, it is from sunrise until shortly before noon. You can pray two Rak’aat, or four or six or more.

Donate to orphans, widows, and those in need. We should be giving charity and supporting those in need all year round, and especially in blessed times like Ramadan and Dhul Hijjah.
What are the deeds that would help us earn the pleasure of Allah?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) informs us in his Hadith in which he said, “The most beloved of people according to Allah is he who brings most benefit to people, and the most beloved of deeds according to Allah the Mighty, the Magnificent, is that you bring happiness to a fellow Muslim, or relieve him of distress, or pay off his debt or stave away hunger from him. It is more beloved to me that I walk with my Muslim brother in his time of need than I stay secluded in the mosque for a month.” (At-Tabarani)

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Source: saudigazette.com.sa

The Purposes of the Sharia in Hajj

Allah Almighty did not create us in vain and will not neglect us. Rather, He created us to inhabit the earth and achieve succession on it. This, however, will not be realized unless we become the best ummah (nation) brought to mankind, and this necessitates purifying the self, which is a persistent enjoiner of evil. The only means to purify the self is to apply the teachings of Islam, fulfill its pillars as we learnt them from the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and be keen to dedicate all our righteous deeds solely for the sake of Allah. Allah Almighty says (what means): {Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.} [Quran 29: 45]
In a hadith, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Whose prayer does not forbid him from doing immorality and evil, he gets nothing but going further from Allah.” Regarding the pillar of fasting, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “How many people are fasting and receive no reward but the suffering of hunger and thirst.”
This means that fasting and prayer do not benefit the servant when he goes to extremes in committing immorality and harming Muslims. When the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) was asked about a woman who used to intensively fast and pray but used to harm her neighbors, he judged her to be among the dwellers of Hell.
There are neither sexual relations nor disobedience:
Allah Almighty says (what means): {Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram (state of ritual consecration)], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj.} [Quran 2: 197]
The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Whoever performs a Hajj during which he neither commits sexual intercourse nor disobedience will return as sinless as a newborn on the day that his mother delivered him.” [Al-Bukhari]
Imam Al-Ghazaali, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned that from the etiquettes of Hajj is that one should treat his companions kindly. The leader should gently treat those who are with him and do what is beneficial for them. The travelers should say good words to each other, provide food, and show the best morals.
Addressing His beloved, Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) Allah Almighty says (what means) concerning zakah: {Take [O, Muhammad] from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allah’s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.} [Quran 9: 103]
The sublime purpose and supreme request is purifying the self and refining the soul and the senses. For the pillars of Islam to be accepted, it is a prerequisite that the Muslim fears Allah, wishes all goodness for the servants of Allah, and avoids harming his fellow Muslims in any way. There are many of those who pray and receive no benefit of their prayer; rather, they obtain nothing but tiredness since their prayer does not forbid them from doing evil and committing misdeeds.
The best and most beloved righteous deeds:
In a marfoo‘ hadith that was narrated by ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, it was mentioned that: “The best deed is to make a believer happy by clothing him (to cover his ‘awrah), satisfying his hunger or fulfilling his need.” [At-Tabarani]
It was also narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “The most beloved deed to Allah Almighty, next to the obligatory acts of worship, is to make a Muslim happy.” [At-Tabarani]
It was narrated on the authority of Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with them, that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “One of the causes of winning the forgiveness (of Allah) is to make your Muslim brother happy.” [At-Tabarani]
Reflecting on these hadiths, one realizes that the common idea is to highlight the moral aspect, which aims at the unity of Muslims and at discarding whatever leads to dispute and rancor. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) considered it one of the best forms of jihad that a Muslim spares the people his evil. It was narrated on the authority of Abu Sa‘eed Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, that a man came to the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! Who is the best of mankind?” The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) replied: “A believer who performs jihad with his life and property for the sake of Allah.” “Who is next?” the enquirer asked again. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “It is he who saves the people from his evil.” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and Al-Hakim (with slight differences in wording)]
It is as if Allah, the Creator, has put this slogan for the Muslims in order for them to be guided therewith in their transactions. It is my advice to you to fear Allah regarding your beloved brothers in religion and creed.
Piety of hearts:
Hajj is one of the greatest rituals of the great religion of Islam. Allah Almighty has prescribed it in order to purify His servants from all sins and misdeeds as well as the seduction and filth of the worldly life. The obligation of Hajj is in fact a response to a great and wise divine call. Allah Almighty says (what means): {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.} [Quran 22: 27] This call has to be honored and respected. Allah Almighty says (what means): {That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah—indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.} [Quran 22: 32]
Reflecting on the verses, one observes that piety and purification of the soul is the most important relation between all acts of worship.
We should know that seeking what is good and avoiding what is evil is the supreme purpose and requirement. When it is achieved, the wounds resulting from disputes will heal, all Muslims will be united like the most pious person’s heart, the old will be kind to the young, the rich will be kind to the poor, and the strong will be kind to the weak. Only with this will Islam become strong, its flag will become high, and nothing will be above it.
There is no disputing in Hajj:
An aspect of honoring this great obligation is to perform it as Allah Almighty wants, hoping that He will accept it. Also, one is required to avoid whatever renders it invalid or makes its reward imperfect. Allah Almighty says (what means): {Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram (ritual state of consecration)], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj.} [Quran 2: 197]
There is no disputing either during or after the Hajj. The Muslim enjoys a pure soul and heart and likes for his fellow Muslim whatever he likes for himself. Moreover, he grieves when his Muslim brother is hurt, even because of a thorn, or is afflicted with a disaster. On the other hand, he is prone to seek revenge, abuse the honor of his brother, lie to him, and deceive him. Astonishingly, you see some Muslims who are very modest in words and deeds but when one of them is tried, he proves that he is very far from faith and the fear of Allah. He forgets that Muslims, and all other people, will return to Allah, the Creator, the Supreme Judge and the Ever-Just, and nothing is hidden in the earth or in the heavens from Him.
The Muslim, whether he is a pilgrim or not, should avoid the sins of backbiting, tale bearing, telling lies, cheating, deceiving, arguing, disputing, and quarrelling. Allah Almighty forbids that a Muslim is violated in any way, for this is likely to raise evil and plant enmity and hatred among Muslims. Qataadah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “The righteous deed is greater in reward during the sacred months, and disobedience is greater in sin during these months as well; even though disobedience is grave and hideous at all times.”
The obligation performed once in a lifetime—Hajj, which is performed during numbered days—is a test for the Muslims. Will they be patient to avoid evil during and after Hajj? Whoever has a good soul and a truthful intention, Allah will help him, strengthen his morale, and boost his determination. Allah Almighty says (what means): {And those who strive for Us—We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.} [Quran 29: 69]
All acts of worship, whether they are daily or annual, constitute a school. Hajj is the obligation required once in a lifetime. It is a school that teaches us how to purify ourselves during and after these numbered days and until we meet Allah Almighty.
We should perform the rituals of Hajj with a spirit of brotherhood, unity, and collaboration. We should act like one body and seek one goal while our hearts are full of the ember of faith that filled the hearts of the Companions of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). We should follow the example of our righteous predecessors in loving each other, seeking excuses for each other, and treating each other in a way that pleases Allah Almighty.
The best companion:
It was narrated that Buhaym Al-‘Ijli, may Allah have mercy on him, who was a tearful, devoted worshiper, accompanied a rich merchant during the Hajj journey. When it was the day of travel, Buhaym, may Allah have mercy on him, kept weeping until his tears fell to the ground and said: “This journey reminds me of my journey to Allah.” Then he engaged in loud weeping, a matter that annoyed his companion, the merchant. After returning from the Hajj, a man came to visit them. He started with the merchant and asked him about his status with Buhaym, may Allah have mercy on him. The merchant said: “By Allah, I do not think that there is someone like him from among people. Although he is poor and I am rich, he was better than me in spending. Although he is old and I am young, he was better than me in serving. Although he was fasting and I was not, he cooked food for me.” Then the visitor left the merchant and entered upon Buhaym, may Allah have mercy on him, greeted him, and then asked him about the status of the merchant during the journey. Buhaym, may Allah have mercy on him, answered: “He was the best companion. He remembered Allah often, recited the Quran for long periods of time, quickly engaged in weeping, and endured the faults of his companion. May Allah reward him whit what is good for this.”
O Allah, accept our deeds, Hajj, fasting, and voluntary night prayer, and make us righteous servants of Yours…Ameen

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Ramadan in Makkah

Wherever in the world they may be, when the sun sets at the end of the day, those who have fasted turn to face one location: the Sacred Ka’bah in the city of Makkah. The crystal-clear “Allaahu Akbar” of the familiar Makkan Athaan rings through the city where the Prophet Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) spent so much happiness and sorrow.

In Makkah, the spirit of giving and remembering Allaah, is truly manifested during Ramadan. The emphasis remains on worship and not on food and festivities as in many other places. It is an amazing sight to see thousands upon thousands of people be all accommodated with dates and water (and even more) for the breaking of the fast. And as the Athaan is called, one cannot escape the sheer generosity of Makkans, offering food and water to all.
It is not unusual to see a man with a pick-up van full of cooked rice and chicken dishing food out to everyone who passes by. The wealthy provide Iftaar and clothes for the poor, and organizations are active in giving huge amounts of charity.
Makkah in Ramadan is filled with visitors performing ‘Umrah or spending a vacation of their lifetime. For them, it is the Ramadan of a lifetime. For residents of the normally quiet city, however, the place is turned upside down.
“The traffic really picks up, and the routine of the city is reversed,” said one resident of Makkah. “Day becomes night and night becomes day. People sleep in late and the shops stay open late.”
Also, locals are flanked by visitors who are in the city for the month; a year’s supply of houseguests comes all at once for them.
During Ramadan, there is much reading of the Quran in the city in which it was first revealed and the true spirit of Ramadan prevails.
Makkans usually break their fast in homes, often in big gatherings with families and friends. The breakfast usually begins with soups of all kinds, then with the traditional Samboosah and Soubia.
A common tradition of Makkaans is that bringing food to the mosque in their local area becomes a noticeable phenomenon during this month, to the point that hardly any Muslim is left hungry during this blessed month.
Families will bring their food to Al-Masjid Al-Haraam (the Sacred Mosque) to break fast there and then offer the Maghrib Prayer together. Later at night, during Taraaweeh Prayer, Al-Masjid Al-Haraam will be as bright as daytime, and nearly as full as it does during Hajj.
It is amazing to think it, but in nearly every place on earth someone from our Ummah will be fasting Ramadan. No other religion could claim such a united and unanimous act of worship amongst its believers. So in the spirit of this joyous and blessed month, let us not forget our brothers and sisters in every part of the world. Let us make the effort to remember them in our supplications, because no matter where we reside on this planet we share something very special. We will always be a single Ummah under the mantle of Islam.

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Hajj: The Global Conference of the Ummah

Hajj: The Global Conference of the Ummah

Hajj: The Global Conference of the Ummah

We are all familiar with global summits and conferences during which presidents and other heads of state meet. Besides, foreign ministers, ministers of defense or others meet during other conferences. In the professional context, there are conferences for physicians, others for engineers and the same for other professions. For each of these conferences, there are authorities that organize them, call for them, determine their places and organize their programs.
Hajj is a great and unique global conference for the Muslim nation, and if the nation of Islam realizes and benefits from its merits and goals, its state would be better than it is nowadays.
The invitation to this great conference came from Allaah The Almighty to His Prophet Ibraaheem, the intimate friend of Allaah may Allaah exalt his mention. Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {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.} [Quran 22:27] It is a historic and genuine invitation that is not renewed or revoked. The permanent place of holding the conference that never changes is the Sacred House of Allaah and its holy environs that combine divine blessing, historic antiqueness and religious sanctity. The agenda with all the words and deeds contained therein is dictated by virtue of the Order of Allaah The Almighty to Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) who said: “Learn your rituals from me (by seeing me performing them).”The people invited to this conference are Muslims, whether rulers or ruled, rich or poor, men or women, with no conditions or privileges other than Islam. The only qualification is to be a Muslim –and that is it.
As a result, this conference has been held periodically for thousands of years in the sacred sites. You can see the entire nation of Islam represented in it in various categories such as its rulers, scholars, common masses, leaders, soldiers, men, women, elderly and youth. Can a conference like this be without benefits or impact?
It is a question that should be on the mind of every Muslim and every pilgrim in order to meditate and reflect, then to benefit and work. The following are some reflections on the great conference of Hajj:

  • Every pilgrim travels long distances and crosses many borders. Some pilgrims come from the countries of disbelief or countries of oppression and suppression. All of them strive and suffer in order to reach the sacred sites and participate in the gathering. By crossing all the barriers and overcoming all the difficulties, they declare that the superiority of faith is greater, the caller towards Allaah The Almighty is worthier of being answered, the path of Islam is straighter and that the brothers of faith are nobler.
  • Its unique uniform distinguishes this conference, which is not a condition in other conferences. The pilgrim abandons his ordinary clothes and adornment and devotes himself to Allaah The Almighty. In this way, he declares that this world is not in his heart, that his value lies in the essence not the appearance. He testifies that if the caller to Allaah The Almighty calls and he hears the call to worship, the whole world with its adornments will never act as a barrier in his way; rather, he is ready to relinquish it for the Sake of Allaah The Almighty.
  • This conference reminds the nation to remove all the matters that divide it and to hold firm to the Islamic divine methodology and path. When they make Tawaaf around the honorable Ka‘bah, they declare this important principle that makes humble submissive worship to Allaah The Almighty and a continuous relationship with Allaah The Almighty the center of their lives.
  • This conference is an opportunity for setting the general policies of the nation, discussing problems, guiding and instructing through sermons in the season of Hajj , just like the comprehensive and all-inclusive Prophetic sermon in the Farewell Hajj.

Finally, Hajj is the season of practically demonstrating the unity of the Islamic nation where differences such as color, race and language dissolve. This unity is with respect to destination and intention, acts and deeds, dress and shape, and standing and movement. In addition, it unites the souls and strengthens ties along with the fulfilling a much greater purpose, which is linking the nation to its Creator, following His Sharee‘ah (Islamic law), elevating the Islamic standards and abolishing worldly criteria.
Does the Muslim nation realize the importance of these meanings and others? Do individual Muslims know these landmarks? There should be an initiative by the responsible leaders, pious scholars and all Muslims to achieve, along with fulfilling the obligation, the major benefits for the nation that is now suffering woes, defeat and division. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And [mention, O Muhammad], when We Designated for Ibraaheem (Abraham) the site of the House, [saying], “Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform Tawaaf and those who stand [in prayer] and those who bow and prostrate. 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 – That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the Name of Allaah on known days.} [Quran 22:26-28]

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