Allah's Abundant Blessings And The Divine Invitation To Hajj

Opening Praise and Salutations

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. And peace and blessings be upon the most honored of the Prophets and Messengers, our Master, our Beloved, our Intercessor, and our Master Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and upon his family and all his companions.

After this, may Allah open my heart and ease my affairs, and let my tongue understand what I say. Beloved brothers and sisters, youngsters and elders, esteemed and honorable guests of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

The Countless Blessings of Allah

We are so blessed by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, and we experience various different blessings every single day. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala talks about this in the Qur'an:

That He has blessed us with so many various blessings, that if you were to try and attempt to start counting them, you would never be able to end with that list. It would continue going on forever and ever and ever.

In fact, Rasulullah ﷺ in a hadith he mentioned — and subhanAllah we can reflect on this for a few seconds:

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4141)

That person who wakes up and he is at ease, he is living in a peaceful environment, all of his belongings are intact, مُعَافًى فِي جَسَدِهِ — he himself is healthy, he is not experiencing any particular ailment or illness, and he has enough provisions to last him the day. فَكَأَنَّمَا حِيزَتْ لَهُ الدُّنْيَا بِحَذَافِيرِهَا — the blessings that he is experiencing can be equated to him having the entire world at his hands. Just these few things are so great in the court of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

And especially the fact that we, alhamdulillah through the grace of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, are living in America — we are experiencing such bounties and such pleasures that hundreds, thousands and millions, in fact billions of people throughout the world do not have and do not get to experience. And in fact we are living in such a time, subhanAllah, where the common person may be living paycheck to paycheck, but nonetheless the bounties that he is experiencing, the comfort that he is experiencing, is perhaps even greater than the greatest of kings of the past.

Hajj: A Selection and Invitation from Allah

And amongst these various different blessings that one can say perhaps was, or seemed to be, exclusive for Americans — at least it seemed to be such — was the great bounty and the great virtue and the great privilege of very easily being able to go for Hajj. That was something that many experienced. We weren't necessarily bound by such quotas of other countries. We didn't necessarily have extremely long waiting lines of five to ten years, which we hear of and many other countries actually experience and have been experiencing for many years.

But it was such that any person who wanted to go, he just merely had to apply, get his visa, take the necessary measures, and it was very easy — like the snap of a finger he could have, mashallah, went on his way. Definitely coming from America, the trip would have been a bit more expensive, but that's perhaps the only real difficulty that an American had to really experience.

And everyone knew, or at least it was constantly being mentioned time and again, that no one just gets to go to the house of Allah. No one just gets to go to Mecca Mukarrama or to Madina Munawwara. You have to be invited. And this is something that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala selects. He selects specific individuals every year to come and visit Him. They are after all His guests. You can't just barge up at any person's home uninvited.

And we used to hear it, but we never really perhaps experienced it firsthand until perhaps this year — and this is over the past few years — where many people in the year of 2020 were looking forward to performing their Hajj. They had already purchased their tickets. They had already taken all the necessary steps, but yet it was not destined for them. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala had not yet accepted that, had not yet sent out that invitation, and they were not able to go.

And then, now, in this very year itself, we can understand this to an even greater level. That it truly is such that we are not just going to be able to go for Hajj if we just feel like going. But rather, now we understand that even before, it was always a selection. Now we see even more through this new system that was created that it's not just within your capacity to just feel like going, having the money and then you go. But rather you have to be selected. And this selection is something that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is definitely in charge of. Many hundreds and thousands of people can submit their name, but only those whom Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has allowed and decided to come are going to be able to come and visit His house.

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant us all the opportunity time and again and grant us the opportunity to go and perform not only Hajj, but Umrah as well. Not only the Fard Hajj, but also Nafl Hajj as well.

Actions That Earn the Reward of Hajj

If we look at the deen of Rasulullah ﷺ, if we look at our deen, and we look at the ahadith of Rasulullah ﷺ, then it's always full of hope, it's always full of mercy, it's always full of opportunities. And as it is known, as it is now perhaps well ingrained in our hearts that it is a selection of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, Rasulullah ﷺ has also given us different opportunities or different ways to earn the reward of Hajj. What does this mean? It doesn't necessarily mean that you can perform these actions and you no longer have to go for Hajj. But there are many ahadith where Rasulullah ﷺ discusses that a person shall receive the same reward of having performed Hajj, provided that he carries out these particular actions properly with ikhlas.

My teacher, may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala preserve him and protect him, Mawlana Muhammad Hafidhullah, has actually compiled an entire list on one of his websites, Al-Miftaah, wherein there are many various ahadith that Rasulullah ﷺ has mentioned — that a person who carries these actions out will receive the reward of having performed Hajj.

What's the reward of having performed Hajj? In a hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ has mentioned:

That the person who performs Hajj without quarrelling, without arguing, without committing any sin and speaking about anything obscene — then provided it's done with ikhlas and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala accepts that Hajj — the reward is such that he will return like the day his mother gave birth to him. In other words, free of any sin, free of anything blocking him and his connection with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

This is why we used to experience and we used to see when people used to go for Hajj, it wasn't just a 10-day trip or a 15-day trip — it was for months on end, one to three months. And when people used to return from their Hajj, it wasn't such that they were the same. A complete change occurred in their lives. They were completely changed individuals. Some used to go clean-shaven, and they used to come back with full beards following the sunnah of Rasulullah ﷺ. Others used to go not particular about their salah, and when they came back you would find them performing all of their salat on time. Others used to go perhaps without wearing a scarf, and they used to come back not only wearing a scarf, but even adorning the niqab as well. A revolutionary change used to occur in their lives.

That's because when they are in that environment, going through all of that struggle, and performing their Hajj, all of the muck and the dirt that was covering their heart — which was preventing them from developing a connection with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala — was slowly being eradicated, it was being cleansed, it was finally vanishing. And now that connection was built again with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

Every single person — you can ask them before the month of Ramadan and after the month of Ramadan — how do you feel? 99.9% of people, inshallah, are going to say: I feel spiritually much more connected to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. I feel as if I am refreshed and my spiritual connection is back. I feel like I have something going. I feel very enthusiastic, I feel very happy when I am performing these actions, when I am reading the Quran. Because throughout the month of Ramadan, when a person exerts themselves, all of that muck is being taken care of and cleansed.

It's like a Wi-Fi router — I like to give this example. The connection each person has with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala could be understood, just as an example, like a Wi-Fi connection. Especially a few years ago, when the connection wasn't so great, the more walls that were between a person and the router, or the further distance between the person, his device and the router, the weaker the connection was, and the less he could benefit from that Wi-Fi.

And you'll find now, the more a person does things which are not right, slipping and falling, then a black dot is placed on his heart. In other words, it's like another barrier between him and that connection. And the more a person does this unchecked without making tawbah, then the dirtier his heart gets, the more walls appear, and the further he is distanced from the mercy of Allah, the further he is distanced from that connection with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

So ultimately, when a person performs Hajj and comes back, it's supposed to be a completely life-changing experience. You feel very close and connected to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. And of course, it's a restart button. Who doesn't want to restart their lives?

So this is potentially the same reward, the same feeling, the same outcome, that a person could receive if he does these few actions. Now, let's start off — because everyone is at a different level in life — with a very difficult level for those who are advanced, then an intermediate level, and then a very easy beginner level. If you look at it, though, ultimately all of them are very easy. In the deen, Rasulullah ﷺ mentioned: the deen is very easy.

The First Action (Advanced Level): Fajr in Congregation followed by Ishraq

Rasulullah ﷺ has mentioned in a hadith:

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 586)

That person who performs Fajr salah in congregation — مَنْ صَلَّى الْغَدَاةَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ — thereafter, he remains seated and does not get up and leave. He begins to remember Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. He makes dhikr of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. And this could be in various different ways — a person could be making du'a, reading Quran, reciting his adhkar, or different tasbihat: SubhanAllah, walhamdulillah. Regardless, whichever way a person wants to remember Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

He sits and remains engaged in the dhikr of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ — until the sun rises. Meaning around Ishraq time. This is about 15 minutes after the sun has risen — 10 to 15 minutes; 15 minutes on the safe side. Thereafter, he performs two raka'as — ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ. And in those two raka'as, you can recite whatever a person would like to recite. If you want to — Surah Ikhlas, Surah al-Kafirun. Very easy.

Then Rasulullah ﷺ has mentioned the reward to be كَانَتْ لَهُ كَأَجْرِ حَجَّةٍ وَعُمْرَةٍ — that the reward he shall receive from that action is that he will receive the reward of having performed Hajj and having performed Umrah. And that's not it. Rasulullah ﷺ continues — when we perform our Hajj and Umrah, no one knows whether their actions are accepted in the court of Allah except Allah Himself. But Rasulullah ﷺ, with regards to this deed particularly, he is mentioning in one version of the hadith: تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ — a complete, in other words, a fully completed and accepted Hajj and Umrah.

And if you think about it and ponder — there isn't much room for showing off here. Because first of all, how many people come to perform Fajr salah in jama'ah? Thereafter, how many people actually remain to this extent that they are waiting — that you can actually show off to someone else by praying these extra salahs? Everyone would leave after Fajr. And it's very difficult to do it for someone else's sake. And you're also starting off your day by remembering Allah ﷻ, engaged in His remembrance. Of course, such a person shall receive such a great reward.

And when a person does this, you don't think your connection is going to be built with Allah? Of course it is. You can ask those who come for Fajr salah how nice they feel — just by coming for the Fajr salah, it's like starting off your day with such a lovely action. Everyone feels so complete, so fulfilled, just by that one action.

And this is such a thing, subhanAllah, that we can do tomorrow. Perhaps it's difficult for many of us during the week — we have work. MashaAllah, many people, despite having work, they also come for Fajr. But perhaps for many, the excuse is there that I have to go to work. So, tomorrow is Saturday and then we have Sunday. The majority of people are not working these days. So let us do our best to, inshallah, take advantage of these weekends.

So that's the first action: we come, perform Fajr in jama'ah, in congregation. Sit for a while. Remember Allah ﷻ till the sun rises. Perform two rak'ahs. InshaAllah, we will receive the reward of a completed Hajj and Umrah.

The Second Action (Intermediate Level): Going to the Masjid to Learn or Teach

Rasulullah ﷺ has mentioned in a hadith recorded in al-Tabarani:

(al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, al-Tabarani; also reported in Musnad Ahmad)

That person who proceeds to the masjid, and his only intention is to learn something or to teach something. So a person leaves his home headed for the masjid with this intention. That's the important thing. Many of us came here — Jumu'ah is such a time where we know there's going to be a lecture taking place. We know, inshallah, we're going to learn something. Or perhaps we will meet someone and we will share something that we have learned. So all we have to do is couple our leaving of our homes with this intention: that I am going to learn something or I am going to teach something. And Rasulullah ﷺ has mentioned that the reward for such an action is that such a person will receive, again, the reward of a completed Hajj. SubhanAllah.

The Third Action (Beginner Level): Leaving Home in a State of Purity for Salah

Rasulullah ﷺ has mentioned:

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 558)

Rasulullah ﷺ has mentioned that the person who leaves his home — and many of us did this today — who leaves his home in the state of tahara, having done wudu, ready to perform salah, will receive the reward of a person who is performing Hajj in the state of ihram. SubhanAllah.

And this is such a thing that many of us can do. And how many of us actually come and use the wudu facilities specifically for Jumu'ah? Or for that matter, throughout the year. Many of us, inshallah, are doing wudu at home, because it's much more easier and more convenient. And look at the reward behind that, subhanAllah.

And these facilities are provided by the masjid, by the community. It's not an obligation upon the masjid that they have to provide these resources. But rather it's for our benefit, for our convenience. And we should do our best to not take advantage of that. We should do our best to save on resources, to save money, to save the masjid expenses.

And this is such a thing that in the time of Rasulullah ﷺ, there weren't so many different wudu facilities available for people. They had to go to the well and retrieve water and make wudu at home and proceed to the masjid. This is something that many of us are already doing, inshallah. All we have to do now is couple it with this intention: that we are leaving the home having wudu, or having taken a shower, in the state of purity, coming for an obligatory prayer, a fard salah — it can be Jumu'ah, it can be any of the five daily prayers.

The Fourth Action: Being Dutiful to One's Parents

All of these, subhanAllah, are such great and wonderful actions. And if we really try, we can implement every single one of these tomorrow itself. And there is one more — and I'll end with this, inshallah.

Rasulullah ﷺ — once a person came to him and mentioned that he would like to strive like all the other Sahabah radhiallahu anhum when it comes to performing jihad. He also wanted to partake of that. But he said: I don't have the means to do so. My heart is there, but I don't have the means.

So Rasulullah ﷺ asked him: هَلْ بَقِيَ مِنْ وَالِدَيْكَ أَحَدٌ؟ — Is anyone alive from amongst your parents? He said: Yes, they are both alive. So then Rasulullah ﷺ mentioned:

(al-Mu'jam al-Awsat, al-Tabarani; also referenced in Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah)

Then be dutiful to your parents and be kind to your parents — for when you have done that, you will receive the reward of not only having gone and joined your brethren in this act of jihad, but also you will receive the reward of having performed Hajj and having performed Umrah.

This is such a thing that you and I, my dear respected listeners, friends and elders, we do not have a choice in. We cannot decide whether we want to be kind and dutiful to our parents or not — this is an obligation from Allah ﷻ. All we have to do now is accompany all of these various actions, which many of us are already doing, with the intention that we will receive the reward of Hajj and Umrah, inshallah, and we will see the benefit in our lives.

May Allah ﷻ grant us all the tawfiq to implement everything that has been said. وَآخِرُ دَعْوَانَا أَنِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ.

Important Disclaimer

Just as a disclaimer for the bayan that was discussed — it doesn't mean that by performing these actions a person will receive the exact same reward as having performed Hajj and that he doesn't have to do Hajj. No, of course not. It's similar to that hadith where Rasulullah ﷺ has mentioned that a person who recites Surah Ikhlas — it's equivalent to one-third of the Qur'an. Now a person who recites Surah Ikhlas, it's as if he read one-third of the Qur'an. But you can't compare that to someone who sat down and took on the time and the effort to actually recite one-third of the Qur'an. And if you memorize Surah Ikhlas, it doesn't mean you're a one-third hafidh.

So in the same light, it doesn't necessarily mean a person does not have to perform Hajj. Of course, that person who sacrificed the time, money, effort and everything and went for Hajj itself will receive far greater reward. But nonetheless, that connection, inshallah, will be recreated. May Allah ﷻ grant us all tawfiq.

Announcements

Please pass the donation boxes from left to right and donate generously. As the saying goes: al-sadaqatu tadfa'u al-bala' — Sadaqah wards off calamities and draws the mercy of Allah ﷻ. Nabi ﷺ has also mentioned that charity given during the day of Jumu'ah is greater in reward than any other day, as mentioned in Musannaf Abdul Razzaq.

Please register for our upcoming Advanced Atheism Workshop. This will be led by Ustadh Fahad Taslim, who is extremely experienced in the topic, and it will take place on-site from August 5th to August 7th. This is an extremely important and pertinent topic that many of us should be aware of. This is perhaps one of the greatest fitnahs, one of the greatest difficulties of our time. It's not just an attack on Islam or an attack on Christianity — it's an attack on religion, because any person who wants to seek out the truth will ultimately be led to Islam. We should do our best to participate on the dates of August 5th to the 7th.

MSI is having a fundraiser on September 10th at Shalimar Banquets with guest speakers Imam Siraj Wahhaj and brother Khalid Mahmood. They hope to purchase the adjacent commercial property with the vision of expanding. Let us do our best to attend. Some brothers will be selling tickets and you will see them on the way out.

The three-week Summer Arabic Essentials starts this Monday. If you know anyone interested in learning — or if you yourself are interested — please do sign up. This is an extremely wonderful way to end off the summer and it's extremely effective for the person who is a very serious student. If you truly apply yourself, inshallah, in these three weeks you will see great, great results.

Along with that, admissions are still open for the Tanweer Intensive Program — our one-year program for both boys and girls. Classes will start on August 15th, 2022. You can enroll online at masjidds.org.

Admissions are also open for the Tadris Integrated High School and 'Alimiyyah Program. This is where a person does high school and also takes a few classes of the 'Alim course, so that by the time he is finished with his high school, inshallah, he only has to do perhaps four more years to complete the entire course. We should all take advantage of this, especially understanding that this is a completely Islamic school — there is an Islamic environment with Muslims. Inshallah, they will not be indoctrinated with all of the false and terrible teachings that a person does learn elsewhere. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant us all the tawfiq to take advantage of this.

Admissions are open for 8th grade Tadris Prep for girls only. Tadris is high school, 9th grade and up. Classes also start for them August 15th. Another thing to keep in mind is that we are still hiring female teachers. If anyone is aware of candidates or would like to apply, please do apply.

Our weekly programs are still being conducted: Tuesdays, Tafsir program after Maghrib. Let us try our best to attend in person or at least online. And also, our Saturday Team Fajrs will continue tomorrow. Fajr iqamah will be done at 5 a.m.

This is a time to implement everything that we have just heard, inshallah — Fajr, in congregation, sitting, remembering Allah. There is such a beautiful environment where so many various individuals sit for the entire time till the sun rises and then everyone performs their salah. Every single person will receive the reward of Hajj and also Umrah, provided that — and it's a weekend — we should all take advantage of this.

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant us all the ability. Ameen.