Hajj

Hajj is the fifth Pillar of Islam and another form of worship. It is an annual pilgrimage to the holy sites in Mecca which each adult Muslim, who can afford it, has to perform once in life time. Apart from the financial aspect, the ability to afford the pilgrimage also means that one is able to travel and perform the Hajj in peace.

Muslims perform Hajj in order to visit for themselves the holy sites where their faith started. More importantly it is a pilgrimage to the Ka'aba, which we believe is the first place of worship ever built on this earth, Muslims thus refer to it as House of God. The ceremony of Hajj is also symbolic of the Unity of God; all Muslims gather from four corners of the earth in one spot at an appointed time and worship God. There are no difficulties to perform Hajj apart from the obvious financial commitment in order to travel to Mecca. That is the reason why, strictly speaking, Hajj is only obligatory to those who have fulfilled all their worldly needs and have no pressing commitments left and indeed can afford the passage to Mecca.

It is a Muslim belief that God is everywhere and He answers those who truly seek Him. In this respect indeed going to a particular place to seek the pleasure and nearness to God is not the issue. However, it is the physical presence of being in the holiest of the holy places for the Muslim faith and indeed the congregational worship with millions of other fellow Muslims that leaves an indelible mark on the spiritual life of a person. It is a most supreme form of worship and is most desirable to God.

During Hajj, the person who intends to perform it is required to travel to Mecca during the prescribed days and observe all the rites and ceremonies. During Hajj Muslims from all corners of the world gather in Mecca and perform the rites of Hajj and thus strengthen the bond of Muslim unity.

During Hajj each place brings to mind some event of the blessed life of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on him). It refreshes the memory of the supreme sacrifices made by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on him) for the sake of Islam.

50 Things to do in Hajj

1. Smile in another Muslims face
2. Say Salam to strangers
3. Shake someone's hand and ask about their health
4. Buy tea for someone
5. Offer to get someone's groceries
6. Sit with a Hajj group from another country and ask about Islam in their village
7. Carry someone's bags for them
8. Guide someone ill to the infirmary
9. Shun vain talk
10. Recite talbiyah loudly, encouraging others
11. On the days of Eid, walk through the tents reciting talbiyah loudly reminding others
12. Gather stones for people
13. Offer to throw on behalf of unable Hajjis
14. Guide people to the Jamarat
15. Lower your gaze
16. Remind people of the lives of the Sahaabah
17. Read Qur'an with the Tafseer
18. Do the authentic Dhikr of the morning and evening
19. Make dua during your Sajdah
20. Stand to the side of a gate and offer people water/tea as they leave
21. Give major attention to shy people in your group
22. Remind people of patience, why they came here, and the example of our Ulumaa' in Hajj
23. Explain a Hajj Khutbah you may have heard to those around you
24. Explain the importance of purifying ones actions for the sake of Allah
25. Phone relatives (from Makkah) on Eid day
26. Make dua for forgotten friends (and the author of this list)
27. Don't allow Muslims to fight during Hajj
28. Help people find a place to sleep
29. Remember - during the heat - the unending torment of hellfire
30. Say 'Laa ilaaha illa Allah, wahdahu laa sharika lah, lahul Mulk wa lahul hamd, wa Huwa 'ala kulli shay'in Qadeer' 100x
31. Say the dua of entering the market place when you go there
32. Give charity to those who sell meager things (sandals/eggs)
33. Attend the Halaqahs that are given in Mina
34. Stay for the 13th of Dhul Hijjah
35. Remind people to go home as better Muslims
36. Forgive people that wrong you
37. Talk to 10 different people from 10 different countries
38. Compliment someone sincerely
39. Visit the hospital and thank Allah for all that he has given you
40. Take young Muslims and invite them to sit with the elders. Make them the center of attention.
41. Give a tafseer class after Salah / ask someone knowledgeable
42. (For men) On the days of Eid, offer perfume to those around you
43. Ask about the health of senior women in your group.  Make sure they are attended to.
44. Focus hard on helping those immediately near you
45. Take people to the slaughter house and help them / Or assist them in purchasing their slaughter coupons
46. Remember specific blessings Allah has bestowed upon you and say Alhamdulillah
47. Pray to Allah using his 99 most beautiful names (al Asmaa' al Husna)
48. Use a Miswak
49. Fill your pockets with candies and give to the children that you meet
50. Always intend reward from Allah for everything you go through during Hajj