affected by show-off. Generally, as showing off is now a days considered to be compulsory in every matter, similarly, the great blessing like Hajj is also being performed to show-off. For example, after performing Hajj, numerous people call themselves “Haji” and write “Haji” next to their names without any reason or need. You probably would have been surprised that after all, what’s wrong in it? There is no harm in the situation where people call you Haji Sahib themselves.

However, ponder! If calling yourself Haji is not announcing your act of worship yourself, then what else is it? Try to understand this from the following incident: The train was heading towards its destination. Two people were sitting next to each other. One started the conversation by saying: ‘What is your name?’ He replied: “Haji Shafeeq” and what’s your name? The other person asked the question. The first person replied: “Namazi Rafeeq”. Haji Shafeeq was quite shocked to hear the reply. He asked: ‘hmm Namazi Rafeeq! This looks quite an odd name.’ Namazi Rafeeq asked: ‘How many times have you been blessed with performing Hajj?’ Haji Shafeeq replied: اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ I went for the Hajj pilgrimage just last year. Namazi Rafeeq said: ‘You have been blessed with performing the Hajj of Baytullah Shareef only once and started putting “Haji” with your name openly; whereas, it’s been years since I have been offering 5 times Salah daily. Therefore, if I put the word “Namazi” next to my name, then what is so shocking in this?’

Dear Islamic sisters! Strange is the state nowadays. Showing off has crossed all limits. When a person goes to Hajj, then upon her return, she decorates the whole building with lights and displays a “Hajj Mubarak” board at home without any good intention. In fact, various Hajis take loads of pictures in Ihram. After all, what is this? Is it appropriate for a fled slave to present herself in the court of the Merciful Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم with such awe and dignity? Not at all! Rather, one shall present herself in the blessed court while crying, trembling and shivering. (Rafeeq-ul-Haramayn, pp. 49)