When things like this happened to us as Muslims, we should understand that it did not happen outside the Will of Allah. But from the human perspective, the Saudi Arabian government had arranged that when you are going for the Jamarah, you take a particular route in and another for exit.

An example of the earlier prophets of Allah before Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) who obeyed the commandments of Allah with absolute submission and thus achieved the good of this life and the hereafter is Prophet Ibrahim (a.s). In fact, the place of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) in Islam cannot be overemphasized.

Every literate Muslim knows the wisdom and advice of Prophet Lukman to his son, as espoused by the Holy Qur’an in Chapter 31, verses 12 – 19. Allah intended it not just to be a mere piece of allegory, but to be a template for success in all areas of our endeavour. It is a guideline for better upbringing and especially for anybody saddled with the responsibility of service to humanity.

Just as the number of Nigerian Pilgrims who died while performing this year’s hajj as a result of the stampede continued to increase while several others still declared missing, the Amir Hajj for Osun State Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board, Zikrulahi Olakunle Hassan, who also doubles as Chairman of the State Pilgrims Board as well as Chairman of the Forum of Chairmen and Secretaries of the Pilgrims Welfare Boards in the country, in this interview with JIMOH BABATUNDE, said the issue of timing for the stoning should be looked into. Excerpts.

THE divine call to visit the
Makkah al-mukarrama is in fulfillment of the fifth pillar of Islam. A Muslim is expected to fulfill 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.”
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. Also using the occasion to pray for the soul of all those who died in the course of obeying the call of Allah. May Allah grant them all Al-janah Firdaus. Amin.
The Hujjaj are blessed in the sense that 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 is that: “Verily, there shall be no reward for a Mabroor Hajj except Jannah.” —Bukhari, Muslim. May Allah make us candidates of Janah. May Allah make it possible for me to be part of the pilgrims next year. Amin.
Hajj is considered a blessing and honor, while the Al-hajj becomes a role model and epitome of good deeds. His life changes from good to better and he becomes diligent in fulfilling Allah’s commandment;
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 fulfill 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
The lesson here is for 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 did 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.