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Hajj Rulings
Hajj Fatwas
There are a set of etiquettes and recommendations that a person who intends to perform Hajj must observe and adhere to in order for his rituals to be accomplished according to what is permissible under the Sharee‘ah, and for his Hajj to be accepted by Allah.
The first of these is that the person intending to perform Hajj should intend, by his Hajj, the reward of Allah The Almighty, and the Hereafter. That is, to be sincere in his intention to Allah The Almighty, and intend not, by his Hajj, any ostentation or seeking reputation. This is because sincerity is the basis for deeds, on which their being accepted by Allah depends. In confirmation of that, Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.} [Quran 98:5] it is also narrated in the following Hadeeth: “Indeed, the [reward for] deeds depend on intentions, and for every person is the reward for what he intended.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
After that, the Muslim should perform Istikhaarah (the Prayer for Guidance). However, performing it is not related to the essence of Hajj, for Hajj is all goodness. Rather, it is related to the time, the company on that journey, the state of the person, and such matters for which the Istikhaarah is performed. In order to do so, one should pray two Rak’ahs (units) other than the obligatory prayer, and then supplicate with the well-known Istikhaarah supplication. One should also consult such of people as reliable in knowledge, faith and experience.
The person who intends to perform Hajj must also mend the relationship between him and Allah The Almighty by sincere repentance from all sins and mistakes, and the relationship between him and other people by clearing his liability from the rights of others, undoing his injustice, giving back deposits and trusts, and repaying debts or taking the permission of his creditors to go.
Another of the etiquettes of Hajj is that a slave of Allah should write his will before his journey, for a person is likely to be exposed to risks and difficulties on a journey. In that will, he has to show what is due to him and what is due on him, and advise his family and companions to fear Allah The Almighty.
He must use lawfully earned money for his Hajj, for Allah is Good and never accepts but good. This is why consuming what is unlawful is among the impediments of one’s invocations and supplications being accepted.
He has to understand the rulings of traveling, Hajj and ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage), and inquire about what seems unclear: he should know the rulings, obligations, pillars and acts of Sunnah of Hajj, in order to worship Allah with knowledge and so as to not fall into anything that might nullify his Hajj or reduce his reward. In order to do so, a person should take with him what he needs of books and cassettes which explain the rulings of Hajj, and accompany those endowed with knowledge who are well acquainted with the rituals of Hajj and their due times and places.
The person intending to perform Hajj also must select the righteous company that would support him if he slackens, remind him if he forgets, enjoin good upon him and forbid him from evil. He should avoid the company of those who are corrupt who never observe the sanctities of Allah The Almighty, nor honor His symbols, who would in turn ruin for him the noblest of times on what is useless and pointless.
He should also be keen to abide by the etiquettes and supplications of traveling. He must supplicate with the supplication for traveling, say, “Allahu Akbar (Allah Is The Greatest)” whenever he ascends to a higher place, say, “Subhaanallah (Exalted Is Allah)” whenever he descends a valley, and supplicate with the supplications of halting at the different stations on the way, as well as all the other supplications and etiquettes mentioned in the books of religious scholars. If they are a group, let them appoint one of them as their chief, and obey him as long as it does not lead to disobedience of Allah The Almighty.
Among the other etiquettes that a person who intends to perform Hajj should observe is to keep his tongue from what is prohibited by Allah The Almighty, like backbiting, tale-bearing, abuse, insult, and arguing with falsehood. He also should lower his gaze from what Allah made unlawful for him to look at. He should also fear his Lord and honor the sanctities of Allah, and avoid returning from his Hajj with sins and burdens.
The Muslim woman must adhere to screening and chastity and avoid the unlawful exposure of her beauty and intermixing and crowding with men. She also has to understand the rulings of Hajj specific to women and inquire about what seems abstruse on her in this respect.
Moreover, the person intending to perform Hajj should be kind and merciful to his brothers from among the pilgrims by being keen on their comfort, guiding the confused among them, instructing the unaware among them, avoiding all that would cause harm to them, enduring with patience whatever might harm him from any of them, and everything else related to good manners and noble morals that are due from him. He should also adhere to performing the obligatory prayers at their due times in congregation with the Muslims, and avoid delaying them beyond their due times.
Dear pilgrim, know that what helps you abide by those etiquettes is to recall the grandeur of the time and place, for this is suitable in making you accomplish the rituals of Hajj with submission and veneration of Allah The Almighty. Allah, The Exalted, The 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]
One should also remember that these are but a few days that will elapse and pass quickly. So, be keen to avail yourself of every moment to do what would bring you closer to your Lord The Almighty.
We ask Allah to help us achieve the obligation of Hajj in the best way that leads to His being pleased with us, and make us among the accepted winners.
