Shaykh Saaleh bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan [May Allaah Preserve him]
Member of Permanent Committee of Senior Scholars
All Praise be for Allaah, the One Who Legislated for us to do the Hajj to His Sacred House. The One Who Made it a pillar of al-Islaam.
I bear witness that there is no God worthy of worship except Allaah without any partner, He is Allaah and there is no god except Him, al-Malik, al-Qudoos as-Salaam.
And I bear witness that Muhammad is His Slave and His Messenger. He was sent to explain the symbols of al-Islaam to his Ummah, May the Blessings of Allaah be Upon him, his family, his companions who were the leaders of the leaders, and the Peace of Allaah Upon them in abundance.
To Proceed:
Oh people! Fear Allaah, the Most High, and worship Him making the religion only for Him as He has Ordered you to do so in His Clear Book.
Oh Slave of Allaah! In these blessed days, the Muslims are preparing to travel to perform the Hajj to the Sacred House, some of them performing an optional Hajj and others preforming the Hajj of al-Islaam (i.e. the obligatory one). And there is no doubt that this all needs a great deal of preparation, in wealth, health and having a firm intent. It also requires one to be prepared in his ability to spend so that he can perform the Hajj from his surplus wealth so that he doesn’t financially rely on others, as Allaah, the Most High, says:
“And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). So fear Me, O men of understanding!” [2: 197 al-Baqarah]
So He has Ordered, the Glorified, to take precautions, this means one has enough provisions that are necessary for his ability to travel; leaving, returning, maintenance of transport and whatever provisions that are needed that will help him reach the House of Allaah, and whatever is needed to ensure his return him. Allaah, the Most High, says:
“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns).” [aal-‘Imraan 3:97]
‘Afford the means’ here is a conditions for ability; which means one is only considered as being able to perform the Hajj if he has enough provisions for sufficient transportation (to perform the Hajj). When people began to perform the Hajj without any provisions, they were inflicted with illnesses but they said, ‘We are those who have Tawakkul. ’ Allaah then Prohibited them from doing this and He Ordered them to take their provisions so that they won’t depend on others.
Allaah, the Most High, says:
“And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). So fear Me, O men of understanding!” [2: 197 al-Baqarah]
When people began to think that trading and making an earnings whilst at Hajj was not permissible, Allaah, the Most High, revealed:
“There is no sin on you if you seek the Bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage by trading, etc.).” [al-Baqarah 2:198]
Here, the Glorified, in these two noble Aayaat that is absolutely necessary that one takes what is sufficient in provisions, provisions needed in his Dunyaa such as food and drink as much as what is necessary from beginning to the end of his journey.
One must also make sure he has sufficient provisions for his Aakhirah; and this is that one travels with good deeds and making sure he distant from sins.
Then He, the Glorified, Explained that trade, seeking a living and gaining provisions is permissible and that it doesn’t contradict the fact that he has gone there for worship as long as it doesn’t become preoccupied in his time with it. Likewise trading doesn’t nullfiy ones Tawakkul (in Allaah for provision).
Therefore is necessary for the pilgrim to leave his family with what is sufficient for them in provisions (and whatever they need) for the period until his return to them. It is not permissible to leave ones family without any provisions or leave them with little provisions so that they are left with what doesn’t suffice them. In this scenario one will be sinful and he will not gain any reward as the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “It is sufficient of a sin that a man doesn’t fulfill his responsibilities.” [Narrated by an-Nasaa’ee]
Likewise, if a the pilgrim has a need to pay off a debt that he has taken or he needs to save up in order to pay back a loan. If this person doesn’t have enough wealth which will help him pay off his debt as well as preform the Hajj at the same time, then he should give precedence in paying off his debt, and it is not permissible to perform the Hajj in this situation.
Likewise, it is obligatory upon the pilgrim to spend whilst doing the Hajj from wealth that is Halaal, this will mean that his Hajj will be accepted and an expiation for his sins.
It is narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “If the pilgrim departs to perform his Hajj, spending from the best of his wealth and then places his foot on his saddle. Then he proclaims ‘لبيك اللهم لبيك ‘ (Oh Allaah! I am at Your Service, I am at Your Service). Then a caller calls out from the heavens saying, ‘At your service and your pleasure! Your provisions are Halaal and your transportation is Halaal. Your Hajj will be accepted and you will not be sinful in it.’ And if the pilgrim sets out with the worst of his wealth and then places his foot on his saddle and then proclaims, ‘لبيك’ (at Your Service). A caller calls out from the heavens saying, ‘At your service but not at your pleasure. Your provision is Haraam and your transportation is Haraam. Your Hajj is sinful and not accepted.’” [Narrated by at-Tabaraanee]
So spending during the Hajj, if it is from Halaal earning, is then included in spending for the Sake of Allaah, as, Allaah the Most High, says:
“And spend in the Cause of Allah (i.e. Jihad of all kinds, etc.) and do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in the Cause of Allah), and do good. Truly, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).” [al-Baqarah 2: 195]
This noble Aayah is a proof that spending for the Hajj is spending for the Sake of Allaah, as it spending for the Hajj and the ‘Umrah has been combined in its mention with the generality of spending for the Sake of Allaah.
(Also as evidence), some of the Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them all] (once) endowed their camels for the Sake of Allaah, and with these camels a woman wanted to perform the Hajj with them, so the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] told her, “Perform Hajj on them, it will be the Hajj for the Sake of Allaah”. [Narrated in the Sunnan and elsewhere].
Based on this, some of the scholars, and it is the view of Imaam Ahmad, that those performing the Hajj are entitled to the Zakaat because they fall under the generality of ‘the Sake of Allaah’, so the Hajj is part of being Sake of Allaah. Therefore, one may give their Zakaat to those who haven’t performed the Hajj for them to perform the obligatory Hajj.
It is also obligatory upon those who want to perform the Hajj to repent and turn to Allaah from all the sins (they may have committed).If one has (ever) oppresses someone then he must go back to them and seek their forgiveness. This is because one must proceed his Hajj with sincere Tawbah from all forms of oppression. It is also obligatory (for the pilgrim) to abstain from any sins or acts of disobedience and that he must preserve his five daily prayers as well as all the other obligations upon him. This is something that is obligatory upon the pilgrim in every aspect of his life however it is even more so during his performance of this great act of worship. So it is absolutely necessary that one doesn’t enter into it (the Hajj) with any form of sin or disobedience connected to him, or whilst he is sinning or disobeying during the Hajj. Allaah, the Most High, says:
“So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein by assuming Ihram), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). So fear Me, O men of understanding!” [al-Baqarah 2:197]
It is also narrated on that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Whoever preforms Hajj to the House and he doesn’t perform sexual intercourse and doesn’t sin then sins will be removed from him like (the status of) the day his mother gave birth to him.”
So having ones sins forgiven by performing the Hajj and entering into the Jannah is a consequence of having an accepted Hajj. One can only have an accepted Hajj if two factors are present:
Firstly, if one does righteous deeds; from them (includes) being helpful to people with piety, being cooperative and having good manners towards them. When the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] was asked about piety, he said, “It is good manners”. So this is extensively necessary during the Hajj, so that one can deal with the people with goodness, talking to them and treating them kindly.
It is narrated (in the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad)on the authority of Jaabir bin ‘Abdullah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “An accepted Hajj brings no reward except Hajj”. They asked, “And what is acceptance, oh Messenger of Allaah?” He replied, “Feeding food and spreading the Salaam (i.e. the greetings as well as not being harmful to others)”.
It was asked to Sa’eed bin Jubayr [May Allaah have Mercy on him], “Which is the best type of Hajj?” He replied “Whoever feeds the poor and withholds his tongue”.
These narrations prove that the person needs these characteristics whilst travelling, especially when travelling to perform the Hajj. Whoever perfects them will then perfect his Hajj. In general: be good to people, be beneficial for the people and be patient when they harm you, just as Allaah has described those who have Taqwaa to be. He says:
“Those who spend [in Allah's Cause - deeds of charity, alms, etc.] in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).” [aal-‘Imraan 3:134]
Secondly, and this is from the greatest forms of piety (one can have) during the Hajj, to remember Allaah, the Most High, during it. Allaah, the Most High, has Commanded that He is constantly remembered during the establishment of the Hajj, especially whilst one is in Ihraam, during the Talbiyyah and the Takbeer.
So there is no greater provision that the pilgrim can take and there is nothing greater in provision than the pilgrim having at-Taqwaa. At-Taqwaa combines and brings about all forms of goodness. So it is obligatory upon the pilgrim to be sincere to Allaah in his intention whilst performing the Hajj, expelling the feelings of showing-off, seeking reputation or any form of worldly benefit.
Allaah, the Most High, says:
“And perform properly (i.e. all the ceremonies according to the ways of Prophet Muhammad), the Hajj and 'Umrah (i.e. the pilgrimage to Makkah) for Allah” [al-Baqarah 2:196]
Completing the Hajj means that one complete the rituals in the manner it has been legislated.
The wording, ‘For Allaah’: means that one should be sincere in his intention, one worshipping Him Alone without falling into major or minor shirk. (It also means that) there should be no showing-off, seeking of reputation, pride, arrogance or self-importance. One should be humble is Hajj. For indeed the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] (performed the Hajj) and his cloak wasn’t even worth four dirhams (approx. £2), (despite this) he said, “Oh Allaah! Make it a Hajj without showing-off nor reputation.”
So it is a must upon the pilgrim that they are patient with difficulties and that one doesn’t seek to be luxurious during the Hajj. Some people nowadays are abundant in splendor so they take with them many luxuries. Cars, furniture, tents that are big which take up space from other pilgrims. Others don’t (even)stay in Minaa during the Days of at-Tashreeq, they stay in furnished flats, residing outside (the bounds of) Minaa. They (try) to use as proof that there is no space to stay in Minaa.
The answer to this is that the pilgrim must seek a place to stay in Minaa. If he doesn’t find anywhere to stay, after looking, then he should stay in the closest place to Minaa. Being with the pilgrims and that he should set up a tent far away from it. Rather, his tent should be set up with the rest of the pilgrims, as much as he is able to get closer to Minaa, because this person has loss ability (to stay in Minaa). Allaah, the Most High, has said:
“So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can” [at-Taghaabun 64:16]
So it is obligatory upon the pilgrim, before he sets out to perform the Hajj, to make a record of any debts he may have, or the wealth of others or anything that he has been entrusted with. This is because if he was to die during his journey or something happens which prevents him from returning home, then by recording it, he would have left these trusts with someone who can dispose of them, and thus he is free from any blame.
So fear Allaah - oh Slaves of Allaah - and prepare for your Hajj with whatever is needed to complete it in the Legislated manner.
Complete your rituals! Be sincere to Allaah in your intentions for Allaah, whilst submitting to Him and tranquil and humble during the Hajj to Allaah.
Be kind to your brothers from the pilgrims and do not harm them. Do not make constrains for them. Be patient upon the difficulties and whatever tires you, (because) indeed this is all from Jihaad. And Jihaad consist of difficulty and tiredness.
I seek refuge in Allaah from the rejected Shaytaan:
“The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein by assuming Ihram), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). So fear Me, O men of understanding!” [al-Baqarah 2:197]
May Allaah Bless me and you with the Glorious Quraan.
And Allah Knows best
