The Hajj

In fiction as well as in real life we read about feats of amazing endurance as well as great determination. Many regions of the world have seen their areas come under the rule of some of history’s great conquerors. This has been witnessed from north to south as well as east to west. Just the thought of climbing huge mountains like Mt Everest causes me to shiver in the warmth my home as I procrastinate while trying to think how and when I will deal with the three inches of snow in front of my house. Then there are the athletes of the world who make tremendous sacrifices of their time and lives as they train for years to become an Olympian. But I think none of the above and others can compare to some of the people that come to Makkah annually in answer to the call of Allah. And he or she is the Hajji or Hajjah (female).
The Hajji is a very unique individual. There is no typical Hajji. Some are very rich and some are very poor. Every skin color of the sons and daughters of Adam are represented. The languages spoken on Hajj have to number in the hundreds. People who make the Hajj come back with a variety of stories about people they were with and met and in many cases they develop relationships or have memories that last a lifetime and we expect will even last into the next world In Shaa Allah (God Willing). Some of these memories may have been merely from an observation that the viewer was impressed with or touched by.
But the Hajji has just as much determination as any of the people who are recorded in the annals of history. Many people have to save for almost a lifetime to be able to afford to go to the Hajj. Many people have medical conditions that make performing the Hajj unachievable except with much effort and assistance from others. But they persevere for the sake of Allah on this journey of a lifetime. They persevere not to seek fame or fortune.
They persevere seeking the reward that was promised to them by the wisest of wise men, Our Prophet and Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) when he said: “He who came to this House (the Ka’bah) (with the intention in performing Hajj) without speaking or committing indecencies, would return (free from sin) as new born baby.” (Muslim, 2/3129)  Rasulullah also said, “From one ‘Umrah to another is expiation for what is between them and Hajj Mabrûr has no reward except Paradise.” (Bukhari and Muslim) 
Allah says in the Qur’aan “... And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves (i.e. denies Hajj, then he is a disbeliever of Allah), then Allah stands not in need of any of the ‘Alâmin (mankind and jinn).” (Qur’an 3:97)  Our Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was ordered by Allah in the Qur’aan: “And proclaim to mankind the Hajj. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel. They will come from every deep and distant mountain highway.” (Qur’aan 22:27)
And so we see the Hajji, unique in the annals of history still persevering in spite of the odds and not concerned about the rest of the world during this time, answering the call that was first made by Ibrahim (May the Peace of Allah be Upon Him).

Sabur Abdul-Basit is a freelance author from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States of America.