The Sound Pilgrimage

By Sheikh Abdul Bari bin ‘Awad Al-Thubeiti

Prophet's Mosque

28/11/1423

First sermon

In what is to follow: So fear Allah as He should be feared, and be wary of His presence in secret and in states of supplication. The Exalted says: O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam. [Al-Imran: 102].

These crowds came out during the pilgrimage season in response to the call of Abraham, peace be upon him, since thousands of years until Allah inherits the earth and what is thereupon, chanting the call (of response to Allah), pleading, magnifying and acclaiming.

With a single look at the believing crowds and the humble pilgrims who gathered from every hill and direction, a reality becomes manifest; the reality that this nation whatever the extent of cunning plots and slyness against it, it is an everlasting nation through the immortality of its mission and its book, and will remain so as long as night and day remain.

For the visitor to the house of Allah, Allah has undertaken to ensure his care and safety, he said: ((There are three in the guarantee of Allah: a man goes out to one of the mosques of Allah, a man who went out striving for Allah's sake, and a man who goes out in pilgrimage)) Narrated by Al-Hamidi in his Musnad [1].

My brother the pilgrim, you have in every step you take a reward only made evident in the words of the Chosen one: ((whenever the camels of the pilgrim carry a person or put down a hand, Allah writes for him a good deed, wipes out for him a bad deed, or raises him a degree)) Narrated by Al-Bayhaqi [2].

And when you utter the word of Oneness: "Here I come, O Allah!" the entire universe is with you affirming the Oneness of the Creator and rehearsing His praise, the Stones respond (to the call of Allah) and the clay and the trees cheer, he said: ((Whenever a Muslim fulfils the response (to the call of Allah), every stone, tree and clay from his right and his left will do as he does until the distance expires from hither and thither.”)) Narrated by At-Tirmidhi [3].

When the pilgrim hears the Statement of the messenger of Allah, which has been narrated by Bukhari and Muslim: ((a sound pilgrimage has no reward but Paradise)) [4] his soul yearns for this great reward and bountiful merit. He wonders: how to achieve a sound pilgrimage? Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with both of them, to Mujahid when he said: How numerous are the pilgrims!! He said: (how few, but rather say: how numerous are the caravans!) [5].

My brother the pilgrim, a sound pilgrimage requires faithfulness to Allah, whoever went out of his home seeking self-praise, laudation, prestige and ostentation, his deeds diminish and the fruit of his striving has gone astray. Allah Almighty says in the Qudsi hadith: ((whoever does an action in which he makes other than Me a partner, then I will leave him and his association)) Narrated by Muslim, [6]. He used to warn against that, he used to invoke his Lord seeking His assistance, saying: ((O Allah! I seek pilgrimage with neither duplicity nor prestige)) narrated by Ibn Majah from the hadith of Anas ibn Maalik [7].

The person assuming pilgrimage must be in extreme humility between the hands of Allah, cleansing his heart from the scourge of self-conceit; rather he must see his actions no matter how great, very small compared to the bounties of Allah he bestowed on him.

Pilgrimage rituals are held in high feelings and places of sanctity, and from the righteousness of the pilgrimage is to respect them instead of wrong doings or confusing in any part of them. It is an outrage and an utter degradation for the ill-intentioned to take advantage of this great occasion, and hide behind its sanctity. They come to the Land of the Two Holy Mosques to exert their destructive tendencies, in smuggling lethal toxins and the dissemination of corrupt beliefs, promotion of misleading ideas and looting of money. The almighty says: and any whose purpose therein is profanity or wrong-doing - them will We cause to taste of a most Grievous Penalty. [Al-Hajj: 25].

From the adherence (to the ethos) of pilgrimage is diligence in its following of the teachings of the Prophet whether little or a lot, and not going against him in anything from his Sunnah, peace be upon him. His Tradition has been transferred to his nation in every stance and word. He sued to say: ((Take from me your rituals)) [8]. Leniency in the traditions (of the prophet) may lead to laxity in duties and essentials. Errors that may sometimes spoil pilgrimage may follow in succession, and all the good is in learning about the guidance of the Prophet.

From the adherence (to the ethos) of pilgrimage is the submission to the legislator, to pander to the commands of Allah and His Messenger and good following in whose meanings have not been disclosed, even if the wisdom behind it is not known. Here is the Farouk Omar, may Allah be pleased with him, kissing the Black Stone and says: (By Allah, I know you are a stone which does neither harm nor benefit, and had I not seen the Messenger of Allah kissing you I would not kiss you) and he kissed it. Narrated by Bukhari [9].

The money reserved for a dutiful pilgrimage must be lawful and good, because unlawful expenses constitute an obstacle to a response (from Allah). The days of a commendable pilgrimage are commemorated by the remembrance of Allah, illuminated by reading the verses of Allah, purified by seeking forgiveness, doing good deeds and calling to Allah Almighty. He said: ((the striver in the way of Allah, the pilgrim and the performer of the lesser pilgrimage are the legation of Allah , He called them and they obliged and asked him and He gave them)) narrated by Ibn Majah [10].

Occupying the moments with acts of worship safeguards the pilgrimage from the baneful upheavals and the robbers of good deeds, and adds to pilgrimage greatness in worship. The days are virtuous, and those sites favored; wherein rewards get doubled. Our righteous forebears, when engaged in this act of worship scented its moments with remembrance, praises, acclamation and thanksgiving.

The mark of the pilgrim in these great sites is tranquility and peace of mind, behaving politely in this ritual by lowering the voice, not annoying and harming the Muslims, and being calm in worship and prayer.

Responding to the call (of Allah) during a sound pilgrimage is an uninterrupted remembrance. It has meanings that if settled in the melancholy of the heart, they purify your life, O Muslim, straighten your journey and cultivate your conduct. It is a declaration of servitude, obedience and humbleness. Here I am at Your service, O Allah! Here I am at Your service. You have no partner. Here I am at Your service.

Good companionship in pilgrimage gives you strength when weakened, reminds you when you forget, shows you the path of good and warns you against the path of evil.

Whoever seeks a sound pilgrimage, he is to comply with his saying which was narrated by Bukhari: ((Whoever performs pilgrimage and does not utter obscenities or commit sin, will come back as on the day when his mother bore him)) [11]. Yes, whoever looked forward to a sound pilgrimage, cultivated his body limbs so that the eye does not look in obscenity, the tongue does not utter stray words, the hand does not extend in harm to anyone and the heart does not hold grudge or envy.

A sound pilgrimage in which the old is revered, the young is treated with mercy, the weak is comforted, and the cleanliness of the body, the garments and the place are observed. The almighty says: Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean. [Al-Baqarah: 222].

[1] The Musnad of Hamidi (1090) narrated from Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him. Also narrated by Al-Faakihi in News of Makkah (926), and Abu Na’eem in Adornments (9/251), and authenticated by Al-Albani in The Authentic (598).

[2] Branches of belief (4116) narrated from Ibn Omar, may Allah be pleased with both of them, and classed as authentic by Ibn Hibbaan (1887), Al Manaawi said in Al-Feidh (5/435): "In it are those I did not know", and authenticated by Al-Albani in Saheeh At-Targheeb (1106).

[3] Narrated by At-Tirmidhi in Al-Hajj (828) from the statement of Sahl ibn Saad, may Allah be pleased with him, it is also with Ibn Majah in Al-Manaasik (2921) and classed as authentic by Ibn Khuzaymah (2634), Al-Haakim the Governor (1656) and Al-Albani in Saheeh At-Targheeb (1134).

[4] Narrated by Bukhari in the Umrah, chapter: The duty of Umra and its virtue (1773), and Muslim in Al-Hajj, chapter: In the virtue of Hajj, Umrah and the day of Arafah (1349) from the statement of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him.

[5] Narrated with similar wording by Abdul Razzaq in Al-Musannaf (5/19).

[6] Narrated by Muslim in Asceticism (2985) from the statement of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him.

[7] Narrated by Ibn Majah in Al-Manaasik (2890), also by At-Tirmidhi in the Merits (335), Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musannaf (3/442), Abu Na’eem in Adornments (6/308), Al-Mundhiri pointed out to its weakness in At-Targheeb (2/116), and classed as weak in its chain of narration by Al-Haafidh in Al-Fath (3/381), but has ways to strengthen it, therefore Al-Albani authenticated it in the Authentic Series (2617).

[8] Narrated by Muslim in Al-Hajj (1297) from the statement of Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him with the wording: ((Do take your rituals, for I do not know whether I might or not perform pilgrimage after this occasion)).

[9] Narrated by Bukhari in Al-Hajj (1597, 1605).

[10] Narrated by Ibn Majah in Al-Manaasik, chapter: The virtue of supplication of the pilgrim (2893) from the statement of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with both of them, and is also with At-Tabaraani in Al-Kbeer (12/422), and authenticated by Ibn Hibbaan (10/474 4613), and classed as good by Al-Albani in Saheeh At-Targheeb (1108).

[11] Narrated by Bukhari in Al-Hajj (1521, 1819, 1820) from the statement of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, and is also with Muslim in Al-Hajj (1350).

The Second Sermon

Praise be to Allah, Who made successful whomever He wished to perform pilgrimage to his sacred house. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner, and I bear witness that our Master and Prophet Mohammed is His servant and Messenger, may Allah bless him, his family and his respected companions.

In what is to follow: So fear Allah as He should be feared, and be wary of His presence in secret and in states of supplication.

Allah Almighty has in some blessed days gratuities, which the felicitous among the servants of Allah reap, and among those days the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Abbas narrated after the Prophet that he said: ((No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these days)). They (the companions) said: not even jihad? He said: ((Not even jihad, except for the man who puts his life and wealth in danger [for Allah's sake] and returns with neither of them)). Narrated by Bukhari [1].

The predecessors used to, when the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah arrive, strive diligently in righteousness and obedience, and increase their remembrance, supplication and magnification to Allah.

Among what is customary during these days is increasing facultative Prayers, acclaiming, magnifying and giving thanks (to Allah), reading the Quran, giving charity to the poor and the needy, coming to the help of the anxious, honoring one's parents, holding night prayers and other good deeds.

Among that, the fasting of other than the pilgrim as much as may be easy to them from the ten days, especially the day of Arafah, due to what is in Saheeh Muslim according to the Messenger of Allah that he said: ((I hope Allah will expiate thereby the year before it and the year after it)) [2].

From what is customary is the magnification of Allah and his glorification. Unrestricted magnification (of Allah) is at all times of day or night up to the Eid prayer, while the restricted magnification is that which comes following compulsory prayers, which are held in congregation. For the non-pilgrims, they start from the dawn of the day of Arafah, and for the pilgrim from noon on the day of Sacrifice and continues to the Asr Prayer of the last of the days of Tashreeq (appointed days).

Among what is customary is the preparation of the sacrificial animal, and whoever wanted to sacrifice while the month of Dhul-Hijjah has come, it is not permissible for him to take anything from his hair or nails until he has slaughtered his sacrificial animal. In Saheeh Muslim that the Prophet said: ((When you see the crescent of Dhul-Hijja, and one makes the intention of offering a sacrifice, then he must refrain from doing his hair and nails)) [3].

So, do O servants of Allah send blessings upon the Prophet of guidance, for Allah commanded you to do so in his book. He said: " Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O you who believe! Send blessings on him, and salute him with all respect". [Al Ahzab: 56].

[1] Narrated by Bukhari in the Friday (969).

[2] Narrated by Muslim in Fasting (1162) from the statement of Abu Qatada, may Allah be pleased with him.

[3] Narrated by Muslim in Sacrifices (1977) from the statement of Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her.

Add comment