1- Consider here the statement of the Messenger of Allah, , in the Hadeeth narrated on the authority of Sa‘eed bin Al-Musayyib where he said that he heard Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, the wife of The Messenger of Allah, , saying that the Messenger of Allah, , said: “If one has a sacrificial animal (which he intends) to offer, and the month of Thul-Hijjah starts, he should neither get his hair cut nor get his nails trimmed until he has sacrificed the animal.” [Muslim]

This Hadeeth encourages resembling pilgrims to live in the same beautiful spiritual atmosphere.

2- If you fail to offer the sacrificial animal in the Sacred House of Allah, at least, do not fail to offer it every Friday:

It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, , said: “Whoever makes Ghusl (ritual bath) on Friday like the Ghusl (one makes to get clean) from Janaabah (state of sexual impurity) and then goes for the prayer in the first hour (i.e. early), it is as if he has sacrificed a camel (in the cause of Allah); and whoever goes in the second hour, it is as if he has sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he has sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he has sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour, then it is as if he has offered an egg. When the Imaam comes out (i.e. starts to deliver the Khutbah), the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutbah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

3- If you fail to be among those of whom Allah The Almighty boasts to the angels there, i.e. at ‘Arafah, at least, do not fail to be among those of whom Allah boasts to the angels in the gatherings of Thikr (remembrance) :

It was narrated on the authority of Abu Sa‘eed Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, that Mu‘aawiyah came out and saw a group gathered in a circle in the mosque and said, "‘What makes you sit here?’They said, ‘We are sitting here to remember Allah.’He said,‘I adjure you by Allah (to tell me), are you sitting here only for this very purpose?’They said,‘By Allah, we are sitting here only for this very purpose.’

On that he said,‘I have not asked you to take an oath because of any allegation against you; and none had the same position I had from the Messenger of Allah who narrates Hadeeths fewer than I do. The fact is that the Messenger of Allah went out to a circle-shaped gathering of his Companions and said: "What makes you sit here?"

They said, "We are sitting here to remember Allah and to praise Him for He guided us to the path of Islam and conferred favor upon us." He said to them: "I adjure you by Allah (to tell me), are you sitting here only for that very purpose?" They said, "By Allah, we are not sitting here but for this very purpose."On that he (The Prophet ) said: "I have not asked you to take an oath because of any allegation against you. But the fact is that Jibreel (Gabriel) came to me and informed me that Allah The Almighty was boasting of you to the angels."’" [Muslim]

Thikr then is sufficient for the honor that Allah The Almighty boasts to the angels of those who remember Him in the same way as He boasts to the angels of the pilgrims.

It was narrated on the authority of Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, , said: "Allah The Almighty boasts to the angels of the pilgrims saying,‘O My angels! Look at My slaves and how they have come unkempt and covered with dust, setting out to Me from every distant pass. I make you witnesses to the fact that I have forgiven them.’" [Ahmad]

If you failed to be one of those, i.e. the pilgrims, at least do not fail to strive your utmost in the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah.

These blessed days are the best days of this World, and they are among the gifts conferred by Allah on this Ummah of Muhammad, , and they are one of the seasons of good on which (the rewards of) deeds (to be done during them) multiply and are superior (to any other days). During (the good deeds of) these days, both those who sit (at home) and those who set out (for Hajj) to the Ancient House share the reward. So, whoever failed to perform Hajj could perform in his home deeds better than Jihaad, which is better than Hajj.

It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, , said: “‘No righteous deeds done on any day are dearer to Allah than those done on these ten, i.e. the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah.’ They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihaad in the Cause of Allah?’ He replied, ‘Not even Jihaad in the Cause of Allah, except that of a man who sets out with his soul and property, and returns with nothing thereof.’" [Al-Bukhari]

We have already mentioned the narration on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, , was asked: “‘What is the best deed?’He replied: ‘To believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad).’ The questioner then asked, ‘What comes next (in goodness)?’He replied: ‘To participate in Jihaad (religious fighting) in the Cause of Allah.’ The questioner again asked,‘What comes next (in goodness)?’ He replied, ‘To perform Hajj Mabroor (that is accepted by Allah).’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Here, Jihaad (fighting in the Cause of Allah) is given priority over Hajj in excellence. However, doing deeds during the ten days of Thul-Hijjah is superior to Jihaad, which is, in turn, better than Hajj.

So, whoever among you is far from the House of Allah, let him not move away, with his sins, far from the Mercy of Allah The Almighty, for the Mercy of Allah is near to the one who turns to Him in repentance and seeks His forgiveness.

Whoever fails to perform Hajj to the House, or the House is far from him, let him then turn his face to the Lord of the House, for He Is closer, than the jugular vein, to the one who invokes Him, and has hope in Him.

Whoever misses the standing at ‘Arafah in that year, let him stand (to fulfill) the Right of Allah The Almighty which he knows well.

Whoever fails to spend the night at Muzdalifah, let him have strong determination to obey Allah The Almighty Who has made it (obedience) near and close to him.

Whoever could not slaughter his sacrificial animal at Mina, let him slaughter his fancies here, perchance he would attain his desire: {That is the Bounty of Allah which He gives to whom He wills, and Allah is the Possessor of great bounty.} [Quran 57:21]

Love and Longing for the Hajj - I

Love and Longing for the Hajj - II