Have you wondered why Muslims perform hajj or pilgrimage? In this article, we will tackle the importance of hajj, and some of its benefits and reward so that you can understand more. Keep reading…
Here we will learn the following:
What is the importance of hajj?
Pilgrimage or Hajj is important as it is the fifth pillar of Islam. Every Muslim is obliged to perform it once in a lifetime if he can afford it both physically and financially. That is why it is advisable for those who intend to perform Hajj this year to hasten to it as they would get sick or face need and poverty in the coming years.
Also, Hajj is different from the other rituals of Islam (prayers, fasting and zakat) as it combines both physical and financial expenditures. Allah, The Almighty clarifies this fact in His Glorious Book;
“…Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people.”
[Quran: 3:97]
Allah Almighty also says:
“Complete the pilgrimage and minor pilgrimage for Allah….”
[Quran: 2: 196]
The Muslim, who makes up his mind to perform Hajj this year, must prepare himself to leave his country. He may be living in Asia, Africa, Europe or even in America. He leaves his home country and travels to Mecca in Saudi Arabia where the Sacred Mosque is.
What are the benefits of hajj?
There are many benefits illustrated in performing hajj in Islam. Here are some of them:
1. The Muslim learns to honor the Rites of Allah
Allah Almighty declares that honoring His symbols, among which is His House of worship, illustrates a special rank of faith in the heart:
“That is so. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah, it is certainly out of the piety of the heart.”.
[Quran: 22:32]
Also, Allah Almighty mentions the position of His house where the Muslim goes to perform hajj saying:
“Surely the first House ˹of worship˺ established for humanity is the one at Bakkah—a blessed sanctuary and a guide for ˹all˺ people.”
[Quran: 3:96-97]
2. Hajj helps to achieve compassion and love among Muslims.
All pilgrims gather in one place ( Mecca) to perform the same rituals in spite of the differences in their languages, colors and nationalities. They supplicate the Only One God; Allah, The Almighty. They circumambulate the same House; the Sacred Mosque. This shows the unity of their goals and purposes.
This benefit is best shown in the following Hadith:
The Messenger of Allah said, “The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection and fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever.”
(Sahih Muslim 2588)
3. The pilgrim follows the example of Ibrahim and his son Ismail
The Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) order the pilgrims to follow Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismael in the main concept of Hajj rituals performed by them. This was illustrated in verses 127-128 in Surah al-Baqara:
” And ˹remember˺ when Abraham raised the foundation of the House with Ishmael, ˹both praying,˺ “Our Lord! Accept ˹this˺ from us. You are indeed the All-Hearing, All-Knowing. Our Lord! Make us both ˹fully˺ submit to You and from our descendants a nation that will submit to you. Show us our rituals, and turn to us in grace. You are truly the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.”
[Quran,2:127-128]
Moreover, our Prophet, Mohammad (ﷺ) pointed out our following his example in his last pilgrimage ( the farewell Hajj) saying:
“Learn your rites from me for I do not know whether I am likely to perform the pilgrimage after this occasion.”
Sahih Muslim 2618
4. Hajj declares monotheism ( the oneness of God).
All pilgrims declare monotheism in all rituals whether in words or actions such as Talbiyah( saying: Labbaik Allahum Labbaik, Labbaik La Sharika lak Labbaik, which means: We are responding to Your call …There is no associate to you….”).
All pilgrims with no exception circumambulate the Kaaba. Really they perform all rites of Hajj according to the commands of Allah, The Almighty and His Messenger’s holy Sunnah.
For more about this benefit, read this article: Is Muslim Hajj A Sign in Tawheed or polytheism?
5. Hajj represents the pilgrims’ complete obedience and submission to Allah
All pilgrims wear the same clothes, move in the same place, do the same rites and supplicate with the same words. All These actions represent the the full obedience of Muslims pilgrims to Allah and The rulings of Islam.
6. Draws Attention to Getting Ready for the Hereafter life after death.
The Muslim gets ready for Hajj by all means. He should do the same to the Hereafter life by good deeds and fear of Allah, The Almighty, following His commands and those of His Prophet (SAW).
7. Hajj looks like the Day of Resurrection
Nearly four million Muslims travel to Mecca to perform Hajj in addition to the inhabitants of Mecca and those who serve and attend to the pilgrims. This gathering looks like the gathering of all human beings on the Day of Judgement waiting for reckoning.
8- All pilgrims are equal.
Hajj is a great lesson and sermon for all human beings. No Arab is better than a non-Arab, and a white man is not better than a black one. Those who are pious and fear Allah are the best of all.
Read: What is Hajj?
What is the reward of Hajj?
The pilgrim gets so many rewards from his pilgrimage. These are some of them:
1- Hajj equals (in reward) observing Jihad ( fighting in the way of Allah)
‘Aisha” May Allah be pleased with her ) narrated:
She said,” O Messenger of Allah!We consider Jihad as the best deed . Should we not fight in Allah’s Cause? He said,” The best Jihad( for women) is Hajj Mabrur ( valid and accepted Hajj.”
Sahih Bukhari 2784
2- Hajj purifies the Muslim from his sins.
The Messenger of Allah(PBUH) said,” If anyone performed Hajj for God’s sake without talking immodestly or acting wickedly, he will return ) free from sins)as on the day his mother bore him.”
Sahih al- Bukhari 2507
3- Hajj wipes out poverty and sins.
Ibn Masoud and ibn Omar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
“The Messenger of Allah( PBUH) said, “perform Hajj and Umra consecutively; for they remove poverty and sins as the bellows remove impurity from iron.”
Sunan an-Nasa’i 2830
4- The reward of the valid and accepted Hajj is Paradise.
Verse No. 197 in Sura. al-Baqara” Illustrates that The reward of the valid and accepted Hajj is Paradise:
“Commitment to˺ pilgrimage is made in appointed months.1 Whoever commits to ˹performing˺ pilgrimage, let them stay away from intimate relations, foul language, and arguments during pilgrimage. Whatever good you do, Allah ˹fully˺ knows of it. Take ˹necessary˺ provisions ˹for the journey˺—surely the best provision is righteousness. And be mindful of Me, O people of reason!”
[Quran, 2:197]
This Hadith also illustrates that reward:
The Messenger of Allah( PBUH) said, “The performance of Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous Umrah; and the reward of valid and accepted Hajj is nothing but Jannah ( Paradise).”
Bukhari and Muslim 1175
In short, There is no better evidence to show the importance of Hajj than the following Verses:
“Call ˹all˺ people to the pilgrimage. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel from every distant path, so they may obtain the benefits ˹in store˺ for them, and pronounce the Name of Allah on appointed days over the sacrificial animals He has provided for them. So eat from their meat and feed the desperately poor. Then let them groom themselves, fulfill their vows, and circle the Ancient House.”
[Quran, 22: 27-29]
Read: Who must participate in Hajj?
Conclusion – Opportunity For Those Who Can’t Afford Hajj
Finally, Allah’s Mercy covers all people, even those Muslims who are unable to perform Hajj; they have glad tidings from their Lord, Allah.
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
If anyone prays Fajr( dawn) prayer in congregation and sits in his place to praise and glorify Allah till the sun rises, then prays two rakas, he will have reward equivalent to that of Hajj and Umrah. Then he said,” A perfect one, a perfect one, a perfect one.”
At-Trmidhi 1176
Excited to know more about the other pillars of Islam? Read the following article to know the five pillars of Islam. Also, you can start a chat for now to know more about them and to become a Muslim!
Read: How long is hajj?
