The excellences of Hajj

اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه, millions of Muslims go forth to fulfil the obligation of Hajj every year. They all gather on the plains of the Haram, wearing the same clothing. These moments are some of the greatest in their lives and nothing short of a priceless bounty. Allah Almighty grants special blessings to those who perform Hajj and rewards them graciously for it. After hearing of them, the hearts of the Muslims yearn to perform Hajj and visit those sacred lands to take in those auspicious sights and sounds.

Let us listen to four blessed Hadith of the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم which inform us of the excellence of Hajj and the immense reward given to those who perform it:

1.   “Whosoever performs Hajj will intercede for 400 of his (Muslim) family members, and he will be as pure from sins as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.”^[1]

2.   “Perform Hajj, for Hajj purifies a person of sins in the way water washes away dirt.”^[2]

3.   “When you meet someone who has performed Hajj, greet them with salaam and shake their hands. Also ask them to make du’a for your forgiveness before they enter their home, as they have already been forgiven.”^[3]

4.   “Whosoever sets out with the intention of performing Hajj and then dies, Allah Almighty will record the reward of Hajj for him until the Day of Judgement. Whosoever sets out with the intention to