Dear Haji

§ Actions are judged according to the intention. Therefore one must sincerely intend only to perform Haj to fulfil the command of Allah Ta’ala and earn His pleasure. Let there be absolutely no worldly motive in one’s Haj. To also have some worldly motive together with the intention to perform Haj is like mixing milk with water.

§ Before embarking on the journey, repent sincerely for all one’s sins. Perform two Rakaats of Salaatul Tawba before leaving the home. Give some Sadaqah (charity) as well. The effect of sincerely repenting before going for Haj is that one will be blessed with the ability of performing more good actions than one had been doing.

§ Fulfil all the rights of people and pay all the dues. Seek forgiveness from those who you may have hurt in any way.

§ Write out your will before leaving. If you owe money to anyone, or if money is owed to you, write it out in full detail. Likewise if any trust property is in your possession, write that as well in full detail.

§ One unique aspect of Haj is that it only becomes Fardh once in one’s life. Any subsequent Haj performed is Nafil. Therefore, one must become well acquainted with all the Masaa’il as well as the Sunnah and Mustahab acts before leaving.

§ The journey of Haj is a journey undertaken to fulfil the a Farz Ibaadah. Hence one should be even more careful with the other Faraa’id while going for Haj. No salaah should be missed. One should take special care of this especially while traveling.

§ Leave home happily. Do not leave with any sorrow or grief. The Haj performed with enthusiasm and love becomes a means of progress in Deen. Similarly, the hardships of the journey should not damper one’s spirit or decrease the zeal for performing Haj.

§ Be kind and considerate to your fellow travellers. Help them as much as possible. The one who serves others on this journey is a Mujahid in the path of

§ The dua of a traveler is accepted. While traveling to the Holy Lands, continuously make dua after every Salaah and at other times for an accepted Haj for oneself as well as all the other Hajis.

§ Your time is extremely precious. You have no idea whether you will blessed with this opportunity. Therefore do not waste this precious time in idle talk, etc. Use your time in Tawaaf, Tilaawat, Zikr, etc. Increase your recitation of Durood tremendously while in Madinatul Munawwarah. Also set a minimum target for the amount of Tilaawat yo will make daily and complete it by all means. At least one Khatam each should be made in the Haram of Makkatul Mukkaramah and Madinatul Munawwarah.

§ Rewards for good deeds are increased in the holy places of the Haramain. Likewise the sins of evil arte also multiplied. Hazrat Umar (RA) is reported to have said: “It is more severe upon me that I commit one sin in Makkah than committing seventy sins outside Makkah.” Hence much more care should be taken to totally refrain from sin. Be particularly careful about protecting the eyes from gazing at strange women. This is an extremely destructive evil.

§ Sit with much dignity and honour in the Haramain. Never resort to laughing, joking and idle talk in the Haram. Similarly do not pay attention towards the decorations and beauty of the buildings. Rather engage yourself in the Ibaadah (worship) of the Creator of all beauty.

§ Perform Nafil Tawaafs and Umrahs with the intention of passing the rewards to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam). The same could be done to one’s relatives etc., especially those who have passed away.

§ Be kind and soft in your dealings with the people of the Haramain. Never attempt to deceive them nor cause them any difficulty or harm. To do so is to bring destruction upon oneself.

§ Protect your Haj from Riya (show and ostantation). Duas are especially accepted at all the places of MakkatuL Mukkaramah, Madinatul Munawwarah, Mina, Muzdalifa, Arafaat, etc. One should therefore engage excessively in dua for oneself as well as the entire Ummah.

§ While standing in front of the Rawdah Mubarak (the resting place of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam), make a firm intention to return as an ambassador of the mission of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam). You will Insha Allah witness the benefit of this.

§ When you return, do not discuss the difficulties you may have experienced. Keep your gaze fixed on the rewards you will receive and realize that compared to those rewards these difficulties are absolutely nothing.

§ While still on Haj and even after returning, perform much Nafil Salaah as Shukr (gratitude) for this great gift.

ZAM ZAM

§ Allah Ta’ala has given the water of Zam Zam the gretaes virtue compared to any other water.

§ Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) is reported to have said: “If you drink it (Zam Zam) for cure (from any ailment), Allah Ta’ala will grant you cure. If you drink it to be saved (from any calamity or enemy), He will grant you refuge from the same. If you drink it to quench your thirst, Allah will grant it to you.”

§ Drink Zam Zam with the intention to quench one’s thirst on the day of Qiyamah.

§ Hazrath Abu Zar (R.A.) once spent fourty days in which he had no food at all. He survived by drinking Zam Zam. It provided complete nourishment for him.

§ When drinking Zam Zam, Ibn Abbas (RA) used to recite the following dua: “O Allah, I seek from you beneficial knowledge; abundant sustenance and cure from all illness.”

May Allah Ta’ala bless you and all the Hujjaj with a Haj Mabroor. Aameen.