Articles

Hajj-Mabrur: "Its Meaning and Virtues"
Author : His Grace Shiekh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Date Added : 20-07-2023

 

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

 

Hajj-Mabrur: "Its Meaning and Virtues"

 

Narrated by Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her), she said: "O Messenger of Allah, we see Jihad as the best deed. Should we not then strive in Jihad?" He said, "The best Jihad (for women) is Hajj-Mabrur (i.e., one accepted by Allah)." {Transmitted by Bukhari}.

Hajj-Mabrur (The pilgrimage in which a person attains full reward) is the best act of worship in Islam after Jihad in the cause of Allah. This is because it is a cornerstone of the religion and one of the five pillars of Islam, without which Islam cannot be complete. It is obligatory on every adult, sane, free Muslim who is capable and has the provisions and means to undertake the journey.

 

Hajj-Mabrur is the one that is free from sin and showing off, or one in which generosity and good manners are observed. This according to a narration in Musnad Ahmad (a Hajj which is accepted will receive no less a reward than paradise). The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was asked about Hajj-Mabrur, and he replied, "Feeding others and spreading peace."

 

Some scholars explain Hajj-Mabrur as the one free from any sin and An-Nawawi opted for this view. Al-Qurtubi mentioned that the various interpretations of Hajj-Mabrur converge in meaning, and the main point is that it is Hajj performed with all its obligatory rites fulfilled as requested from the performer.

To achieve the forgiveness of sins and the promise of Paradise through Hajj, the following should be adhered to:

 

First: Sincere repentance from all sins and disliked actions, as the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "The one who repents from sin is like one without sin." {Transmitted by Ibn Majah}.

 

Second: The expenditure on Hajj and all its requirements should be from halal (lawful) money without any doubt.

Third: Perform Hajj purely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and nearness. Fulfill any pending obligations and return any deposits to their rightful owners. Write a will, giving rights to Allah, His servants, and bear witness to it.

 

Fourth: Be kind to relatives, mentors, and neighbors. Fulfill the required maintenance for those dependent on the pilgrim until their return.

 

Fifth: Abstain from immoral conduct during Hajj. Avoid arguments and conflicts while purchasing. It is said, "Good conduct during travel includes providing provisions, minimal disputes among companions, good humor except in things that displease Allah, and patience in the face of adversity."

 

Sixth: To bid farewell to one's family, neighbors, relatives, and acquaintances, and to seek their forgiveness and prayers, and to give charity upon departure.

 

Seventh: Frequently remember Allah (Dhikr) during Hajj, as Allah has commanded to remember Him abundantly during the rites of Hajj, including Talbiyah, Takbir, and Tahleel. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "The best Hajj is loud Talbiyah and Takbir." {Transmitted by At-Tirmidhi}.

 

Hajj-Mabrur has numerous virtues, including:

 

First: Forgiveness of sins and wrongdoings, as narrated by Amr ibn Al-'As (May Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "Islam obliterated what preceded it, Hijrah (Emigration for the sake of Allah) obliterates what preceded it, and Hajj-Mabrur obliterates what preceded it." {Transmitted by Muslim}.

 

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Perform Hajj, for it washes away sins just as water washes away dirt." (Reported by Al-Tibrani in "Al-Mu'jam Al-Awsat").

Second: The reward for spending during Hajj is multiplied by seven hundred times. Buraidah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "The spending during Hajj is like the spending in the cause of Allah multiplied by seven hundred."{Transmitted by Ahmad and Tabarani in "Al-Mo`jam Al-Waseet}.

 

Third: The performers of Hajj and Umrah are the delegation of Allah; their supplications are answered, and their repentance is accepted. Narrated by Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "The delegation of Allah are three: The fighter in the cause of Allah, the pilgrim, and the Mu'tamir (the one performing Umrah). They will call upon Allah and He will answer them, and they will seek His forgiveness, and He will forgive them." {Transmitted by An-Nasa'i}.

 

Fourth: Allah guarantees Paradise for the performers of Haj and Umrah upon their meeting with Him. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit sexual misconduct or transgress will return (free from sins) as on the day his mother gave birth to him." {Transmitted by Al-Bukhari}.

 

May Allah grant us complete faith, true certainty, humble hearts, praising tongues, accepted deeds, and Hajj-Mabrur….. Amen.

Article Number [ Previous | Next ]

Read for Author




Comments


Captcha


Warning: this window is not dedicated to receive religious questions, but to comment on topics published for the benefit of the site administrators—and not for publication. We are pleased to receive religious questions in the section "Send Your Question". So we apologize to readers for not answering any questions through this window of "Comments" for the sake of work organization. Thank you.




Summarized Fatawaa

How is the meat of the 'aqīqah to be distributed?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
If the 'aqīqah is a recommended one (mandūbah), it is obligatory to give some portion of it in charity to the poor — even if the amount is small — with the minimum being approximately half a kilogram of meat.
The most preferable manner of distribution is to divide it into three equal portions, as with the uḍḥiyyah:
 
One third for the guardian and his household to eat from
One third to be given in charity to the poor
One third to be gifted to friends and neighbours, even if they are wealthy
 
It is furthermore more preferable to send the food to the poor already cooked, rather than inviting them to come and eat. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on offering a sheep as a sacrifice (Udhiyah) if its fat-tail is sound, except that when it was young, the tip of its fat-tail was cut so that it would grow larger? And what is the ruling in case of doubt regarding the amount that was cut?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Cutting a minor, insignificant portion from the tip of an animal's fat-tail (al-alyah) to encourage it to grow larger is not considered a defect, and it does not prevent the animal from being valid for sacrifice (Udhiyah).
 
It is stated in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (Vol.9/P.352): "There is some scholarly deliberation regarding the common practice of cutting the tip of the fat-tail so that it grows larger. It could potentially be likened to a partial cut of the ear—supported by the jurists' general rule: 'even if it is a small amount.' On the other hand, if it is an exceptionally minor cut, it might have no effect on validity. This is explicitly clarified by the juristic exception to the general rule, which states that cutting a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm. This latter view is more well-founded.
 
Furthermore, I found that some scholars investigated this matter and concluded: 'It should not affect validity if a custom-sanctioned portion of its fat-tail is removed during its youth to make it grow larger and look better, just as castrating a male animal causes no harm.' However, applying this unconditionally contradicts the established texts of the jurists, as understood from what I have laid out; thus, the restriction I specified is what must be relied upon."
 
Similarly, it is mentioned in Nihayat al-Muhtaj (8/135): "If a small piece is cut from the fat-tail to help it grow larger, the most well-founded view is that the sacrifice remains valid, as was given in a formal legal verdict (Fatwa) by my father [Shihab al-Din al-Ramli], may Allah be pleased with him. This is proven by the jurists' maxim: 'The loss of a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm.'"
 
In cases where there is doubt as to whether the portion cut was large or small, the animal is still deemed valid for sacrifice. It is noted in Hashiyat al-Shubramallisi ‘ala Nihayat al-Muhtaj (Vol.8/P.135):
 
"This matter requires careful consideration, but the closer and more correct view is that it is valid. This is because soundness is the default state for the animal from which the piece was cut, and it aligns with what usually occurs—namely, that the part removed to help the fat-tail grow larger is naturally very small." And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

What is the ruling on the ablution of one who washes his arms from the wrist to the elbows?

In the school of Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him), washing the arms (hands) is achieved by washing the arms completely, from the fingertips to the elbows. Washing only the palms at the beginning is insufficient, as washing them at the beginning is a Sunnah, but after washing the face, it becomes obligatory (fard). The person performing ablution must wash his palms along with the arms after washing the face. If he does not wash his palms, his ablution is invalid and not correct. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on using eye drops while fasting?

Eye drops do not break the fast, even if the taste reaches the throat, because the eye is not an open passage to the body cavity.