Perhaps you would be thinking as to what is wrong with this. Although there is no harm if other people call you Haji without you desiring it, but dear Hujjaj! Ponder calmly, if one calls himself Haji, isn’t he unnecessarily informing others of his worship!

Nowadays, the trend of showing-off has grown to extreme limits! Upon departure or arrival of some Hujjaj, his home is decorated with lights along with a board ‘Congratulations on your Hajj’ displayed in front of his home. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ forbid, at some places, many Hajis who are dressed in Ihram even get themselves photographed a lot. What is this? Is it appropriate for an escaped slave to go to the blessed court of his Rab with such pomp and show? Definitely not, one should go for Hajj, trembling with the fear of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, with tears in the eyes and deep sighs. There are probably greater risks of showing-off in Hajj as compared to Salah and Fasting etc., the Hajj is such a form of worship that is performed publicly, and not everyone is blessed with it. Therefore, people meet the Haji with humility, honour him, kiss his hand with respect, make him wear garlands around his neck and request him to make Du’as for them.

On such occasions, the Haji faces a tough test because humility and reverence on the part of people give such pleasure to the Haji that he considers even the toughest act of worship as the easiest one. Sometimes, he falls into the deep and deadly abyss of desire for respect and showing-off without noticing it at all. He desires that all people should be informed about his departure for Hajj so that they come to meet and congratulate him, give him gifts, offer him garlands, request him to make Du’as for them, implore him to convey their Salam to the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in Madinah and arrive at the airport to see him off etc. Due to these desires and a lack of religious knowledge, Satan sometimes plays with such a Haji as children play with a toy. Therefore, being alert to the attack of Satan, create lots of humility in your heart and avoid boasting. By Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! No one will be able to bear the torment of showing-off. (Rafiq-ul-Haramayn, pp. 51-56)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب       صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد