Magazine Articles

= written by Amr Khaled =

5 *  Pilgrimage, a worship that hearts yearn for - edited Linds

Pilgrimage, A worship hearts yearn for

This week, by Allah’s will, we shall be talking about a sort of worship for which hearts and  souls yearn. How couldn’t it be so when it is one of the pillars of Islam? We ask Allah to grant it to every Muslim, male or female. This sort of worship is Hajj. We will also talk – God willing - about Umra and about visiting the city of Medina and visiting the Prophet (PBUH).

An article written by Mr. Amr Khaled for Al-mara’a Al-yawm Magazine (The Woman Today), on 27 January 2004.

Hajj is for the elderly!!

Talking about this topic has multiple intentions; first, the intention of stimulating the readers yearning to perform this sort of worship. This intention, by itself, is a beautiful purpose because many young people will be amazed and will start asking, “Why are you talking to us about this topic? It does not concern us!! Hajj is for elderly people.” They also might think that Hajj is for those who disobeyed Allah and committed so many sins. Then when such people get old they go for Hajj to repent and ask Allah to forgive them.  My dear youth, don’t you yearn for visiting the prophet (PBUH)? Don’t you long for making Hajj to the house of Allah? Indeed I do…. (You say!).  I know that you all have such a longing. Go ahead, have the intention now.

A delicate feeling and emotion

My dear beloved readers awaken your hearts. We surely need a fine and sensitive sensation that can read the feelings and emotions. We shall be talking about Hajj and its spiritual impact until those spiritual feelings penetrate the heart and bring forth their fruits (with Allah’s will). We will not handle the legalistic and ritualistic issues of Hajj.

O Allah, bring life to our hearts with reverence for You. Amen.

Very Special!!

Would you perhaps believe me if I told you that this sort of worship is of the greatest of importance, especially for the youth? What if you ask Allah for Hajj and He responds to your du’a!  By Allah, this is not far from our Lord. I can almost hear you now say: O Allah, grant us Hajj to your Sacred  House.

Intentions makes things easier for you!

I must say again that the intention is a very important part when it comes to Hajj. Hajj costs a lot of money and one might not be able to afford it. So ask Allah with a sincere heart and Allah will grant you Hajj.

Have you not made the intention yet?

Who knows? Maybe one of you will say now, “O Lord, grant me a visit to Your House. O Lord, my heart is attached to visiting the prophet (PBUH) and is attached to your House.  Don’t let me down, O Lord, respond to my supplication!”

Allah might respond to such a person and he would come to us after making Hajj telling us on such and such day, at such and such hour, I asked and supplicated to Allah with sincerity so He responded to me.  Have these words not moved you yet? Make the intention now and be sincere when you make it. Did the call reach you?

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “…and pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah, (upon) every one who is able to undertake the journey to it; and whoever disbelieves, then surely Allah is Self-sufficient, above any need of the worlds.” (TMQ, 3:97)[1].

Did you notice the words, “and whoever disbelieves?”  It sounds as if the one who feels no need for the Hajj and declines to do it will be in a serious position.

Allah also says what can be translated as, “And proclaim among men the Pilgrimage: they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path” (TMQ, 22:27).

And the word: Proclaim has a special impact on oneself. When we hear this word we remember the call for the prayers. It is usually done with a loud voice that everyone can hear. Exalted and praised is Allah! It is as if Allah wants the call for Hajj to fill all ears… and did the call reach you?

[They come on foot, with means like horses and camels that are exhausted and tired. The trip from a far place caused the animals to wear out and be in complete exhaustion. ]

Are you imagining with me? And why did they all come? The call has reached them! They responded to that call despite the distance. So all of you who have heard the call and can afford it, respond! And if you cannot afford it, have the intention and Allah is the One Who can help you.

Is it worth it?

The prophet (PBUH) said, “Whomever made Pilgrimage to the House and did not have intercourse with his wife and did not disobey Allah, he returns pure like the day his mother gave birth to him”

O Allah! He returns pure like the day his mother gave birth to him?  By Allah, this deserves only a sincere intention. Whoever made Hajj and did not have intercourse with his wife and did not disobey Allah will return pure like the day he was born.

I am afraid to ask you now, did you make the intention? And you answer: I forgot.

And in the jannah we shall meet!!

The prophet (PBUH) said, “ From an Umra to Umra is an atonement to whatever is in between them. And a good Hajj has no reward less than the jannah (paradise)”

Yes, by Allah, it is Heaven!!

It is a narration that brings joy and happiness to the heart. So a call to all those who made the intention with their tongue, make it with your Heart as well!

The Guests of Allah

The prophet (PBUH) said, “The people making Hajj and Umra are the guests of Allah. When He calls them they respond to His call and when they ask Him He gives them and if they seek His forgiveness He forgives them”

AmrKhaled.net © جميع حقوق النشر محفوظة
This Article may be published and duplicated freely for private purposes, as long as the original source is mentioned. For all other purposes you need to obtain the prior written approval of the website administration. For info: dar_altarjama@amrkhaled.net