The Blessings of Hajj

Assalamu alaikum, dear brothers and sisters. Let's talk about the amazing blessings of Hajj. Allah says in the Qur'an: “And proclaim the Hajj to the people; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass” (al-Hajj: 27). SubhanAllah, what an honor. Ibn Umar (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Islam is built on five: testifying that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger, establishing prayer, paying zakat, performing Hajj, and fasting Ramadan.” (Bukhari & Muslim). So Hajj is a pillar, a foundation. The Prophet (SAW) also said: “Whoever performs Hajj to this House (the Ka'bah) without engaging in obscene talk or committing sins, will return as pure as the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Muslim). Imagine that, all your sins wiped clean. And he said: “An accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise.” (Bukhari & Muslim). Jannah, inshaAllah! That's the ultimate goal. When asked about the best deed, the Prophet (SAW) mentioned faith, then jihad, and then Hajj Mabrur. (Bukhari). So it's a top-tier act. He also said: “Umrah is an expiation for sins between it and the next, and the reward of Hajj Mabrur is nothing but Paradise.” (Bukhari & Muslim). And: “Perform Hajj and Umrah repeatedly, for they remove poverty and sins just as fire removes impurities from iron, gold, and silver.” (Tirmidhi). Not only sins, but poverty too, alhamdulillah. Another narration says: “Alternate between Hajj and Umrah, for they increase lifespan and dispel poverty and sins.” (Baihaqi). So it brings barakah in life. The Prophet (SAW) told Amr (RA): “Don't you know that Islam erases all past sins, migration erases all past sins, and Hajj erases all past sins.” (Muslim). A fresh start, subhanAllah. He also advised: “When you meet a Hajj pilgrim, greet him, shake his hand, and ask him to pray for your forgiveness before he reaches home, for he is in a state where forgiveness has been decreed for him.” (Musnad Ahmed). So we should seek their duas. And: “The pilgrims for Hajj and Umrah are the guests of Allah; when they call upon Him, He answers, and when they seek forgiveness, He forgives.” (Ibn Majah). What a status! The Prophet (SAW) made dua: “O Allah, forgive the pilgrims and those for whom the pilgrims seek forgiveness.” (al-Mu’jam al-Awsat, Hasan). So our prayers for them bring mercy. Abu Huraira (RA) narrated: “Whenever a pilgrim raises his voice with talbiyah, he is given glad tidings; whenever he says takbir, he is given glad tidings.” They asked, “Of Paradise?” He said, “Yes.” (al-Mu’jam al-Kabir). Every labbaik is a promise of joy. May Allah grant us all the chance to perform Hajj and Umrah, and accept from us. Ameen.