[OPINION] To The New Alhajis And Alhajas

I greet you with the best of greetings; Asalam alaykum warahmotulahi wabarakatuhu.

First and foremost I congratulate you for the arduous task and journey you embarked upon, it is a worthwhile journey that requires the dedication of the heart, strength and wealth. At least it would be a joke to say that more than five hundred thousand that you spent to make this trip is nothing. Indeed it is one of sacrifice, loyalty to the creator and one rewarding.

Some of you, I believe, this is your first and others have been making the pilgrimage for years. By now I know, and I believe, you are a ‘born again’. You are like a new born baby according to the narration of Abu Huraira that Prophet Muhammad said:

“Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.”

At Makkah you have seen what unity truly means. Millions of people of various colours, languages, tall and short, young and old, deaf and dumb, lame and cripple, and all variety of human kind you might think of all chanting one slogan, facing one direction, in the same attire. No discrepancy between the wealthy and the poor, nor a king and a slave; everybody walking together, side by side, under the same heaven exchanging the greetings of peace and blessings. That is one of the qualities of Islam the prophet exemplified and preached; in fact he stressed this in his last sermon before he died. So, my brethren this is a challenge to you that no person or race is superior to another in Allah’s sight except in righteousness and uprightness. An Igbo, a Yoruba or a Hausa; we are all equal except in those highlighted qualities. Now, if you’ve understood that, then you have to let loose your tribalism and racism believes.

Also, you have, as I have already said been set free of your past sins, this is an ample opportunity for you to start afresh and live up as expected of you by your creator, Allah. You shouldn’t taint yourselves with sins again. It is a usual practice that some hujjaj (Alhajis and Alhajas) would do “Sabaka night” upon their return from Hajj. This practice is un-Islamic and you shouldn’t be a part of this and others of such. You are also not expected to throw parties all around like a spendthrift because Allah loves not the spendthrift and He called them the brothers of Shaytaan (devil).

By now, you should turn new leaves and abhor anything that dresses itself inform of sins. All forms of polytheism, alcoholism, fornication and adultery, and other filthiness and immoralities should be shunned. Meritorious qualities you’ve leaned such as love of one’s neighbor, respect of lives and properties, kindness, uphold of justice and others taught by Prophet Muhammad should be imbibed. You should put the end in mind; this I believe you know is to attain the paradise of Allah and be saved from Hell. So you must be up and doing and don’t get swayed at any point in time.

You should also know that as meritorious as your effort and sacrifice is what really matters is your sincere intention that you did it for God alone and to seek His face.

‘Umar bin Al-Khattab narrated: The Prophet said, “The (reward of) deeds depend on intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he intends. So, whoever migrated for Allah and His Apostle, then his migration will be for Allah and His Apostle, and whoever migrated for worldly benefits or for marrying a woman, then his migration will be for what he migrated for.”

I hope you remember to pray for your brethren who are suffering and being oppressed in all parts of the world. I believe also that you prayed for Nigeria during your stay in Makkah, if not it’s not too late for you to do that. That you pray for this country is your responsibility more so that you’re still pure and just returned from Allah’s service, because there’s no place like home.

I should write more but the ink would not allow. I pray that your efforts would not be rent asunder, and that you live the rest of your life sincerely in accordance to the will of your creator.

Also to the teeming Muslims like me who hope to make this trip and worship in a lifetime, may Allah make it possible and provide us with wealth and strength. Once again, May Allah’s peace, blessings, and mercy be upon you.

 

 

 

Written by: Jimoh Ibrahim Olalekan

He is an Electrical and Electronics Engineering Student University of Ilorin, Ilorin Kwara State.

2 COMMENTS

  1. ALHAMDULILLAH for I have performed the Hajj this year. This article is a good reminder for us to continue to uphold and values and also to appreciate our ability for performing Hajj. May ALLAH(SWT) accept our Ibaadah and reward Mr.Olalekan for this article.