Lessons From Hajj

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The Hajj links people across religions through a past shared by several Abrahamic traditions. This combined with the Islamic teaching of the common origin of humanity holds out much hope. Indeed, the Qur’an teaches:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ‌ۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَ‌فُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَ‌مَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ‌ۭ ﴿١٣

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. (13) [Qu'ran, Al-Hujurat 49:13].

This is a great celebration of the differences and at the same time unity of all of humanity.

An essential spiritual message of Hajj is one of humility to Allah and His supremacy and control over all that we know. The multitude of people and their inner beliefs and practices are all to be judged by Allah and Allah alone in His infinite wisdom and full knowledge. Indeed, as the Qur’an insists,

... لَآ إِكْرَ‌اهَ فِى ٱلدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ ٱلرُّ‌شْدُ مِنَ ٱلْغَىِّ

There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong.... [Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:256]

The result of a successful Hajj is a rich inner peace, which is manifested outwardly in the values of justice, honesty, respect, generosity, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and empathy. And it is these values – all attributes of Allah almighty — that are indispensable to us all if we are just to get along in this world.

There is a whole Surah dedicated to Hajj in the Qur’an (Chapter Hajj, 22) and there are amazing daily life lessons hidden in this beautiful Surah.

Believing in Allah, your salah, your zakat, fasting in Ramadhan are things that always return in your life. If it’s not daily, then it’s at least yearly. But those who went on Hajj often think that Hajj is the end of the story; ‘I probably won’t go again..’ or ‘ I know I cannot go now anyway..’. so the meaning of the Hajj disappears from their lives.

In the Qur’an we find everlasting lessons. The Qur’an is not something we should struggle to fit into our lives; rather, it is the answer to how to get the most out of our lives. It is a guide to productivity. By acting upon the words of the Qur’an there will be benefit in every moment of your life. Let's bring the lessons from Hajj to your life, whether you already went, never went or are about to go.

Some spiritual lessons from Hajj from the preparation, the travel, the rituals there until the return home.

1) The Travel vs the Journey to the Hereafter.

When you travel to carry out the rituals of Hajj, you are reminded of your journey to Allah and the Hereafter. When you travel, you leave behind your family and homeland, and the journey to the Hereafter is like that. Traveling is difficult and can be tormenting. The journey to the Hereafter is like that and much more. Ahead of you are your dying, death, the grave, the gathering, the accounting, the scales and al-Siraat, followed by either Paradise or Hell.

2) Packing luggage vs the Provision of Taqwa

You equip yourself with enough provision to reach the sacred land. But do you remember the importance to pack your days of life with taqwa (fear of Allah, God consciousness)? Allah says,

ٱلْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ‌ۭ مَّعْلُومَـٰتٌ ۚ فَمَن فَرَ‌ضَ فِيهِنَّ ٱلْحَجَّ فَلَا رَ‌فَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِى ٱلْحَجِّ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ‌ۢ يَعْلَمْهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَتَزَوَّدُوا۟ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ‌ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَٱتَّقُونِ يَـٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿١٩٧

Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do - Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is at-taqwa. And fear Me, O you of understanding. (197) [Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:197]

3) Ihraam vs Shroud

When you put on the two garments of your ihraam, you cannot help but be reminded of the shroud in which you will be wrapped [after you die]. Daily remembering death helps you fight disobedience and falling into sins. Just like you have given up your regular clothing [for Hajj] and put on two clean, white garments, you have to make your heart clean and white [pure], by polishing it daily by dhikr and seeking forgiveness.

4) ‘Labbayk Allaahumma labbayk’ vs Watching your tongue

As when we say 'Labbayk', we intend to speak only of obedience to Allah and avoid talk of disobedience. Allah watches us and our speech all the time, so we have to watch our tongue and avoid the two biggest problems we have with this muscle -- gossiping and excessive talking.

5) Haraam vs Halaal

When you are in your ihraam you give up things which are normally halaal for you but which Allah has forbidden to you at this time [during his ihraam]. How then can you violate the prohibitions of Allah by doing things which are haraam at all times and in all places?

6) The Sacred House of Allah vs The Day of Resurrection

When you enter the Sacred House of Allah, which He has made a sanctuary for mankind, you remember the sanctuary of the Day of Resurrection, which no one can reach without striving hard. The greatest thing which will keep a person safe on the Day of Resurrection is Tawheed and avoiding Shirk (associating others with Allah).

7) The Sunnah vs Reasoning

Kissing the Black Stone, which many dream to be given the opportunity to do, tawaaf (going around the Ka'bah 7 times) or throwing pebbles at the Jamarat teaches you to honor the Sunnah and not to oppose the laws of Allah with your feeble reasoning. This is a daily life lesson; you recognize that there is wisdom and goodness behind the laws and rituals prescribed for mankind, and you train yourself to submit yourself totally to your Lord, may He be exalted.

8) Zamzam water vs Water

When you drink the water of Zamzam you are reminded of the blessing which Allah has bestowed upon mankind in the form of this blessed water, which has never dried up. Water plays a central role in our daily life. In fact you are made from water. And what about the daily amount of water which you so easily drink at home? Recognize and thank Allah daily for the blessing of water in general. And do not waste water.

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, passed by Sa’d while he was performing ablution. The Prophet said, “What is this extravagance?” Sa’d said, “Is there extravagance with water in ablution?” The Prophet said, “Yes, even if you were on the banks of a flowing river.” [Ibn Majah]

9) Sa’ee vs Daily life trials

Sa’ee means effort. When you do al-Saa’ee, running between al-Safaa’ and al-Marwah, you are reminded of the trial of Haajar, a mother who was patient in the face of adversity. She didn’t just sit down but trusted her Lord and got into action.

10) The Holy House vs The Lord of The House

When you leave the Ka’bah in the direction of ‘Arafah to begin your Hajj, you are moving away from The House to meet The Lord of The House. ‘Arafah is outside the boundary of the Holy Land (Haram), signifying that the Lord of the House is everywhere, and is closer to man than he is to his own jugular vein.

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِۦ نَفْسُهُۥ ۖ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَ‌بُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ ٱلْوَرِ‌يدِ ﴿١٦

And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein (16) [Qur'an, Qaf, 50:16]

The standing (wuqoof) in ‘Arafah reminds you of the throngs of people on the Day of Gathering. If you feel tired from being in a crowd of thousands, how will it be in the crowds of barefooted, naked, uncircumcised people, standing for fifty thousand years?

Narrated Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “You will be gathered (on the Day of Judgment), bare-footed, naked and not circumcised.” [Bukhari]

11) Pebbles vs Shaytan’s Daily attacks

When you throw the pebbles at the Jamaraat, you realize that Ibrahim (peace be upon him) knew that the one who was preventing him from obeying the Orders of Allah The Almighty was the devil as he was embodied for him three times to prevent him from slaughtering his son. Ibrahim threw seven pebbles at him three times and told him, “You will be thrown by me.” So, the devil was disappointed and turned on his heels. We are dealing with devils from mankind and jinn daily who want to prevent us from getting closer to Allah. Know your enemy and be motivated by Ibrahim to fight the attacks with yaqeen (certainty)!

إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ ﴿٥ ...

...Indeed Satan, to man, is a manifest enemy. (5) [Qur'an, Yusuf 12:5]

12) Limited Hajj time vs All other days

Hajj teaches us to get used to utilizing time. Time is our capital, you either waste it or invest it. During Hajj, you do great deeds in a period of time that might not exceed four days in different places that are far from each other and crowded. This shows that humans have great potential and latent energy. This is a great lesson for you that teaches you to get used to utilizing time and not wasting it in your daily life.

13) Sacrifice vs Emotions

When you slaughter your sacrifice (hady), you are reminded of the great event when our father Ibrahim submitted to the command of Allah to sacrifice his only son Ismael, after he had grown up and become a help to him. You remind yourself that there is no room for emotions which go against the commands and prohibitions of Allah. And very important; we have to work hard every day to instill sabr in our children like Ismael, who said "‘O my father! Do that which you are commanded. In shaa Allaah, you will find me of al-saabireen (the patient ones).’”

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَ‌ىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ‌ مَاذَا تَرَ‌ىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ‌ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِ‌ينَ ﴿١٠٢

And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast." (102) [Qur'an, As-Saffat 37:102]

14) Hardship vs Ease

When you come out of your ihraam and things that had been forbidden become permissible again, teaches you a lesson of life: the consequences of patience and that after hardship comes ease. The one who responds to the call of Allah will taste the sweetness of obedience, which cannot be tasted through anything else. Like the joy you feel when you break your fast or when you pray qiyaam at night, after you have finished praying.

15) Return home vs Reunited in the Eternal Home

When you come back to your spouse and children, and experience the joy of meeting them again, this reminds you of the greater joy of meeting them in Paradise. This also teaches you that the greatest loss is losing oneself and one’s family on the Day of Resurrection. Allah says,

فَٱعْبُدُوا۟ مَا شِئْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِ‌ينَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُ‌وٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ أَلَا ذَ‌ٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْخُسْرَ‌انُ ٱلْمُبِينُ ﴿١٥

So worship what you will besides Him." Say, "Indeed, the losers are the ones who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, that is the manifest loss." (15) [Qur'an, Az-Zumar 39:15]

Every day is a new page.

When you have finished all the rituals of Hajj as they were prescribed by Allah and in the manner that He loves, you hope that your Lord will forgive you all your sins, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) promised in the hadeeth, “Whoever does Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not have sexual relations (with his wife), commit sin, or dispute unjustly during the hajj, will come back like the day his mother gave birth to him. [Bukhaari & Muslim]

This invites you to start a new page in your life, free of sin. However, every night and every morning Allah gives you a new opportunity, whether you went on Hajj or not, you just have to grab it. Allah, the Exalted, stretches His Hand during the night so that those who commit sins by day may repent, and He stretches His Hand in the day so that those who commit sins by night may repent. He keeps doing so until the sun rises from the West”. [Muslim]

Subhan Allah wa Alhamdulillah wa la ilaha illallahu wa Allahu Akbar wala hawla wala quwwata illa billahi al-Aliyy Al-Adheem

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wassallam.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam