By Ishola Balogun

The divine call to visit the Kaaba al-muazzama is in fuilfilment of the fifth pillar of Islam.  A Muslim is expected to fulfil the call once in a lifetime especially when the means and wherewithal are available, saying the slogan:”labayka Lahuma labayk,” which means “I am here O’ Allah to obey your call.”

Some had been rearing to go but without the opportunity,  some had begged for the grace but Allah decreed otherwise, while He gives ample opportunities and multiple grace to others.  For all those who had just returned from the Holy pilgrimage, they should show gratitude to Allah.  This is because it is a golden opportunity to have one’s sins forgiven, to be refined and become a new being.

Pleasure of Allah

They are fortunate in the sense that they are divinely blessed going by the words of prophet Muhammad (s.a.w): “Whoever performs Hajj for the Pleasure of Allah and therein utters no word of evil, nor commits any evil deed, shall return from it (free from sin) as the day on which his mother gave birth to him.” —Bukhari, wa Muslim.  Another one which always strikes me each year I miss the opportunity is that: “Verily, there shall be no reward for a Mabroor Hajj except Jannah.” —Bukhari, Muslim. May Allah make us candidates of Janah.

Hajj is considered a blessing and honor, while the Al-haj becomes a role model and epitome of good deeds. His life changes from good to better and he becomes diligent in fulfilling Allah’s commandments

His love and inclination towards the Hereafter increases and love for the worldly pleasures decline.

One thing that should be uppermost in his mind is the readiness to shun all evil deeds, he should remember that Allah has obliterated his sins and he should not immerse himself in sin so as not to void his good works.  He should try his best to fulfil the obligations laid down by Allah and avoid all forbidden things by Him. He has to be conscious of Allah at all times, observe his prayers (salat) as and when due,  pay zakah/charity, fast when it is required and show kindness to people.   And when ye have completed your devotions, then remember Allah as ye remember your fathers or with a more lively remembrance (Quran 2: 200)

Also consider what Allah says again in Quran 90: 200, Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed. Fulfill the covenant of Allah when ye have covenanted, and break not your oaths after the asseveration of them, and after ye have made Allah surety over you. Lo! Allah knoweth what ye do. (An-Nahl: 90-91)

Importantly, you should be steadfast and guard this great deed against things that could nullify it.

Would one of you like to have a garden of palm trees and grapevines underneath which rivers flow in which he has from every fruit? But he is afflicted with old age and has weak offspring, and it is hit by a whirlwind containing fire and is burned. Thus Does Allah Make clear to you [His] verses that you might give thought. Quran 2:266

This verse speaks about those who did good deeds and then regressed replacing good deeds with evil ones. There was also an hadith which draws a picture of a rich man who does good acts out of obedience of Allah but he was not steadfast and the devil got upon him and he committed sins till all his good deeds were lost. We seek refuge with Allah The Exalted from this.

You can’t afford to let the extra-ordinary acts of worships in Kaaba; Arafat among others to be wished away by evil acts; you just have to be determined to make your Hajj a turning point in your life.

I hope those who have gone to Hajj learnt good lessons from this journey, apply all these in their daily lives and be charitable towards other Muslims.

We beseech Allah with all the name He named Himself and His beautiful attributes to accept your Hajj, reward you for your efforts and make it easy for those of us who are anxious to go.  May Allah gives us the steadfastness and uprightness to gain al-Janah. Amin