ALMISKEENAH

 

THE HAJJ SEASON 1428 

DELICIOUS….like a richly balanced dessert….every individually selected ingredient added to perfection, creating a richly textured, rainbow coloured delight. Sprinkle this with a topping of Taqwa, Iman, Ikram, Ikhlas, Sabr, Shukr and other connoisseur secrets, known only to the Grand Master Subhanahu wa Ta’ala of the Hajj recipe.

Such is the delectable mix from every facet of humanity and from every corner of the globe….the sight is DELICIOUS, the feeling is DELICIOUS, the atmosphere is DELICIOUS, the bustling air of expectation is DELICIOUS.

 

210,000 pilgrims are from Indonesia, making it the largest country to send pilgrims. The second largest is Pakistan with 167,588 pilgrims; the third; India with 157,000 pilgrims; and the fourth Iran with 102,000 pilgrims. There would hardly be a country in the world without representation in this huge DELICIOUS mixture, with ages from the tiniest of babes to many well over one hundred, and the scope of variations in mobility, vision, agility, ability and educational levels, is just as diverse. Such is this huge annual mixing bowl, stirred into one homogenous mass by an inner passion to fulfill the fifth obligation of our Deen. This is a sampling of Sayyiduna Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s Ummah.

Lumps and bumps decreed by the Master Planner Subhanahu wa Ta’ala are always an integral part of the mix. External rules and regulations, the outer forms of one being part of this mix, become more and more stringent each year. The powers that be have increased the number of checkpoints leading into Makkah to include the barren desert tracks that many try to navigate to be part of this delicious experience. Rumour has it that there will be additional checks leading into Arafat for the first time this year. If one is turned back from Arafat then the Hajj is void. All internal permits must be complete with an ID photo as a new measure for checking the validity of the pilgrim.

 

Some will experience illness, while death is decreed for many, and many other hardships will test ones resolve. Already hundreds of over stayers from Ramadhan have been deported and countless cheats fined and jailed. Many will be the victims of the scurrilous scams or of the notorious thieves who arrive in gangs in Ihram tainting the mixture. It is said that the degree to which one seeks a nearness to Allah Ta’ala, the ugly Shayateen and his formidable army will endevour to match that. Be alert, be awake, be attentive, be in Ibadah, in Dhikr, recitation of Qur’an, hands raised repenting, pleading, crying, assisting your fellow companions on this intrepid and yet spiritually enriching journey. Do not rush, push, yell, backbite; they hold the potential of costing you your Hajj.

Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu said the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was once asked: “Which action is the best of all?” He said: “To believe in Allah and His Messengers.” He was further asked: “And what next?” He said: “Jihad, striving, in the cause of Allah.” He was asked again: “And what after that?” He answered: “The Pilgrimage, free from vices and defects.”

 

….that they may witness things that are of benefit to them….(22:28)

Hadith: "The sign of acceptance of Hajj is that the person’s condition after Hajj should be BETTER than before Hajj". May the condition of all Hujjaj be elevated, and their sincerity throughout their Hajj be the means of Allah Ta’ala’s descending mercy along with increasing the collective Iman of the Ummah, Ameen.

And may we all, whether embarking on this sacred journey this year or not, echo these words: 

I am present, O Allah, I am present. I am present, O one who calls towards Heaven. I am present; I am present O Forgiver of sins. I am present; I am present O One who owns my presence. I am present; I am present O Mighty and Generous. I am present, I am present O You who first created and to whom all will return. I am present, I am present O One who is free from want and to whom all turn for their needs. I am present, I am present O who is feared and to whom there is inclination. I am present I am present, O true God. I am present O the One with Grace, Excellence, Goodness and Beauty. I am present O one who averts major calamities. I am present, I am present Your servant and the son of Your servant. I am present I am present O Generous, I am present.

I am present seeking closeness to You through Muhammad and his progeny. I am present, I am present for Hajj. May peace be with you, O Prophet and may the mercy and blessings of Allah be on you. In the name of Allah and by Allah and by His wish. Peace be with you! With the Prophets of Allah and His Messengers. Peace be with you! With the Messenger of Allah. Peace be with you! With Ibrahim, the friend of Allah and all praise is to Allah, the Sustainer of the Universes.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.