Humankind is presented
with a great occasion to get liberated from daily chores and devote them in the
full grace of Him. Allah Sub??nahu wa-ta??l? (May He be glorified and exalted)
emphasises the significance of Hajj in the Quran in several Sorahs. Verses that
illustrate the significance of Hajj in Quran and Hadeeth are given below.
“And
announce to mankind the Hajj. They will come to you on foot and on every sinewy
camel; they will come from every deep and distant (to perform Hajj)”. (22:27)
“We
have accomplished the shrine (The Holy Kabah) a focal point for the people, and
a safe sanctum. You may use Abraham’s shrine as a prayer house. We empower
Abraham and Ismail: “You shall purify my house for those who visit, those who
live there, and those who nod and prostrate”. (2:125)
“They
ask you about the facet of the moon! Say, “They provide a timing contrivance
for the people, and determine the time of Hajj”. It is not creditable to beat
around the bush; righteousness is acquire by upholding the commandments and by
being straightforward. You shall observe GOD that you may succeed”. (2:189)
Quran also says that
Allah is pleased towards those people who seek forgiveness. When people pray at
Arafat by doing Wakuf or achieve His grace at the sacred location of
Muzdalifah, they simply honour Him for guiding them. Those who have gone adrift
before can achieve Allah’s grace by performing Hajj. Merciful Allah does not
need you to worship him, but it is for your benefit He creates Hajj. Performing
Hajj is like to securing a place in heaven and seeking Allah’s mercy on the
final judgment day.
The significance of Hajj in Hadeeth
Prophet Muhammad,
peace be upon him (PBUH), has performed only one hajj in His lifetime.
Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH), has also declared hajj a JIHAD for
children, women, old and weak people. Numerous Hadeeth on hajj explain the
significance of Hajj, some of the Hadeeth about hajj are given below:
Ibn e Umar R.A
articulates that Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH), has said: “Islam
is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that
Muhammad SAW is the Messenger of Allah, subsidising regular prayer, paying
Zakah, Hajj and fasting Ramadan”. (Al- Bukhari 8; Muslim 16)
Abu Hurayrah RA has stated
that Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH), is asked which endeavour
is the greatest. He has replied, “Belief in Allah and His
messenger”.
He is asked, what does come after that? He has said,
“Jihad for the sake of Allah”. He is asked, then what? He finally has said, “An
accepted Hajj”. (Al-Bukhari 26; Muslim 83)
