shed tears for Hajj. If only we could all be granted this true desire and longing for the journey of Hajj.

In any case, those fortunate people who are blessed with the opportunity to perform Hajj this year hold a distinct status and rank. However, our beautiful religion of Islam has not deprived those who wish to perform Hajj but do not have the means to go. اَلۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰهِ ! Our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, who loves us dearly, has taught us many such righteous deeds through which we can attain the reward of Hajj.

Come, let us learn about some of them:

The Dhikr of Allah Almighty

It is mentioned in a blessed Hadith that a Companion of the Prophet, Sayyidunā Abū Dardāˈ رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْه, narrates:

Once we said in the blessed court of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! ذَهَبَ الْاَغْنِیَاءُ بِالْاَجْرِThe wealthy have gone ahead of us in earning reward.” (When asked how,) they said, “They perform Hajj, but we cannot. They can perform worship that requires wealth, while we are unable to do so.”

Look at the beautiful passion of the noble Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم! Since they could not go for Hajj due to lack of wealth, they felt deep longing and said, "O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! They have gone for Hajj, and we have been left behind!"

The Final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to the Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم , "Shall I not tell you something? If you act upon it, you will gain more reward (than those who perform Hajj and other financial worship)." He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم explained, "Recite  اللہُ اَکْبَر 34 times,  سُبْحٰنَ اللہ  33 times, and  اَلْحَمْدُ للہ 33 times after every Salah."^[1]

سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه! Dear Islamic brothers! There are two lessons for us in this blessed Hadith:

1.What should we envy?

Look at the unique and virtuous thinking of the noble Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم !