Hajj: A Journey of Faith, Purification, and Eternal Reward

ince the time when Allah commanded His beloved Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to proclaim the pilgrimage, hearts have longed for the Sacred House, and pilgrims have flocked to it from every corner of the earth, answering the divine call. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

"When Ibrahim completed the construction of the Kaaba, he was commanded to call the people to Hajj. He said: 'O Lord, how will my voice reach them?' Allah replied: 'Call, and it is upon Me to convey.' So, Ibrahim announced: 'O people, Hajj to the Ancient House has been prescribed upon you, so perform it!' His voice was heard by everything between the heavens and the earth. Do you not see how people from the farthest parts of the world continue to answer the call?"

Hajj: A Sacred Obligation and a Great Reward

Hajj is a fundamental duty in Islam, obligatory upon every Muslim who is financially and physically capable, at least once in their lifetime. Allah says in the Quran:

📖 "And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House—for whoever is able to find a way." (Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:97)

This obligation is one of the five pillars of Islam and is universally recognized as an essential part of the faith. Performing Hajj is an act of devotion that brings immense rewards and purification, as emphasized in numerous Islamic texts.

Hajj Erases Sins and Wipes Away Past Mistakes

Hajj is one of the greatest means of attaining forgiveness and spiritual purification. A pilgrim who performs Hajj sincerely and correctly returns free from sin, as pure as the day they were born. The Prophet ﷺ said:

📖 "Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or wrongdoing, will return as sinless as the day his mother gave birth to him." (Bukhari)

This hadith emphasizes that a sincere Hajj wipes out both minor and major sins, as stated by Imam Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him). However, this purification is conditional upon avoiding sinful speech and actions during Hajj. "Obscenity" refers to acts of intimacy and inappropriate speech, while "wrongdoing" includes all forms of disobedience.

Additionally, in a narration recorded by Muslim, Amr ibn Al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) approached the Prophet ﷺ to embrace Islam and sought assurance that his past sins would be forgiven. The Prophet ﷺ informed him:

📖 "Do you not know that Islam wipes out what came before it, migration wipes out what came before it, and Hajj wipes out what came before it?" (Muslim)

This hadith highlights that Hajj is among the acts that completely cleanse a person of their past sins. However, scholars differentiate between the rights of Allah and the rights of people: Hajj expiates sins related to a person’s duty towards Allah, but debts and other obligations to fellow humans require restitution or seeking forgiveness.

The Ultimate Reward of an Accepted Hajj: Paradise

Allah has promised immense rewards for those who sincerely worship Him, and for Hajj in particular, He has designated Paradise as its ultimate reward. The Prophet ﷺ said:

📖 "From one Umrah to another is an expiation for what is between them, and an accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise." (Bukhari & Muslim)

However, not every Hajj guarantees this reward—it must be a "Hajj Mabroor" (accepted Hajj). Scholars have defined a Hajj Mabroor as one that is performed sincerely for Allah, in accordance with the Sunnah, and free from any acts of disobedience, argumentation, or corruption.

Conclusion

Hajj is not just a set of rituals but a deeply spiritual journey that transforms the soul, purifies the heart, and strengthens one's connection with Allah. It is an opportunity for sincere repentance, renewal of faith, and preparation for the hereafter. May Allah grant us all the blessing of performing Hajj, accepting our worship, and granting us its promised rewards. Ameen!