هَا قَدْ أَقْبَـلَ الـحَـجُّ : Hajj has arrived

Al Quran is the final Holy Book revealed upon the Last of Prophets Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). The Quran & Sunnah is the only source of holy guidance as it entails detailed instructions for each and every walk of human life. Here guidance from Quran for the followers of Islam (هَا قَدْ أَقْبَـلَ الـحَـجُّ : Hajj has arrived) is discussed wrt coming of Hajj, a basic pillar of Islamic faith for better living from Quran and Hadith of Prophet ﷺ. This is an approved Jumma Khutba from the Sultanate of Oman and translated in English.

أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of ALLAH, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

هَا قَدْ أَقْبَـلَ الـحَـجُّ

Hajj has Arrived.

All praise is due to Allah, who has honored us with His great rites, and rewarded all who perform Hajj to His House and remain steadfast. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that our master and prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the servant of Allah and His Messenger, the most eager of people to perform acts of obedience, and the most eager to draw near to Him. May the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions, and all who follow His path until the Day of Judgment. This is recired verse and its translation from Surah Al Baqara:

أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فاعوذ باللہ من الشیطان الرجیم- بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

وَأَتِمُّواْ ٱلۡحَجَّ وَٱلۡعُمۡرَةَ لِلَّهِ‌ۚ فَإِنۡ أُحۡصِرۡتُمۡ فَمَا ٱسۡتَيۡسَرَ مِنَ ٱلۡهَدۡىِ‌ۖ وَلَا تَحۡلِقُواْ رُءُوسَكُمۡ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ ٱلۡهَدۡىُ مَحِلَّهُ ۥ‌ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوۡ بِهِۦۤ أَذً۬ى مِّن رَّأۡسِهِۦ فَفِدۡيَةٌ۬ مِّن صِيَامٍ أَوۡ صَدَقَةٍ أَوۡ نُسُكٍ۬‌ۚ فَإِذَآ أَمِنتُمۡ فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِٱلۡعُمۡرَةِ إِلَى ٱلۡحَجِّ فَمَا ٱسۡتَيۡسَرَ مِنَ ٱلۡهَدۡىِ‌ۚ فَمَن لَّمۡ يَجِدۡ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَـٰثَةِ أَيَّامٍ۬ فِى ٱلۡحَجِّ وَسَبۡعَةٍ إِذَا رَجَعۡتُمۡ‌ۗ تِلۡكَ عَشَرَةٌ۬ كَامِلَةٌ۬‌ۗ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَن لَّمۡ يَكُنۡ أَهۡلُهُ ۥ حَاضِرِى ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ‌ۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ

And perform properly (i.e. all the ceremonies according to the ways of Prophet Muhammad SAW), the Hajj and 'Umrah (i.e. the pilgrimage to Makkah) for Allâh. But if you are prevented (from completing them), sacrifice a Hady (animal, i.e. a sheep, a cow, or a camel,) such as you can afford, and do not shave your heads until the Hady reaches the place of sacrifice. And whosoever of you is ill or has an ailment in his scalp (necessitating shaving), he must pay a Fidyah (ransom) of either observing Saum (fasts) (three days) or giving Sadaqah (charity - feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep). Then if you are in safety and whosoever performs the 'Umrah in the months of Hajj, before (performing) the Hajj, (i.e. Hajj-at-Tamattu' and Al-Qirân), he must slaughter a Hady such as he can afford, but if he cannot afford it, he should observe Saum (fasts) three days during the Hajj and seven days after his return (to his home), making ten days in all. This is for him whose family is not present at Al Massid-Al-Haram (i.e non-resident of Makkah) And fear Allah much and know that Allah is severe in punishment.

Surah AL Baqara – 196

O servants of ALLAH: Fear ALLAH and Adopt piety and obey ALLAH. Hasten towards good deeds, and devote your time to enriching your lives with what brings good deeds, and magnify the rituals۔ALLAH says in Surah Al Hajj

ذَٲلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمۡ شَعَـٰٓٮِٕرَ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقۡوَى ٱلۡقُلُوبِ

Thus it is [what has been mentioned in the above said Verses (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) is an obligation that mankind owes to Allâh]. and whosoever honours the Symbols of Allâh, then it is truly from the piety of the hearts.

Surah Al Hajj – 32

O Muslims: Know - may ALLAH grant you success in performing Hajj to His Sacred House, Aameen - that true comfort lies entirely in obedience to ALLAH. ALLAH says in Surah Al Nahl

مَنۡ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا مِّن ذَڪَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٌ۬ فَلَنُحۡيِيَنَّهُ ۥ حَيَوٰةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬‌ۖ

Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision),

Surah Al Nahl – 97-Part

Among the acts of obedience that the righteous should not neglect, and that the sincere and faithful should not be lax about, is performing the Hajj pilgrimage; for it is a ritual that ALLAH has made obligatory upon His servants once in a lifetime. ALLAH says in Surah Aal E Imran

وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ مَنِ ٱسۡتَطَاعَ إِلَيۡهِ سَبِيلاً۬‌ۚ

And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allâh, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence);

Surah Aal E Imran – 97-Part

Hajj, O Muslims, is one of the greatest means of expiating sins and drawing closer to the Knower of the unseen. It has been stated in the hadith: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not engage in obscene speech or commit sin will return as pure as the day his mother gave birth to him.” And what reward is greater than for a person to have a pure white page, untainted by sin or impurity? One of the things that encourages a Muslim to hasten to perform Hajj is that it is a means of entering Paradise, which is the ultimate desire of the believers and the final aspiration of the righteous. This is mentioned in a hadith about it. Performing Umrah after Umrah is an expiation for what is between them, and there is no reward for an accepted Hajj except Paradise. Among the virtues of Hajj is that it is one of the greatest deeds and the most beloved to ALLAH. On the authority of Seyyedina Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), when the Messenger of ALLAH was asked... Which deed is best? He said: Faith in ALLAH and His Messenger. It was said: Then what? He said: Jihad in the way of ALLAH. It was said: Then what? He said: A Hajj that is accepted. In addition to the fact that Hajj is something that expands sustenance and brings blessings to it, there is a hadith about him that says: Follow one another between Hajj and Umrah. For they remove poverty and sins just as the bellows removes the impurities from iron, gold, and silver.

O you who hasten to do good deeds: What greater blessing is there than for ALLAH to grant His servant the opportunity to perform the pilgrimage to His Sacred House, and to draw near to Him through various great rituals! Since the Hajj pilgrimage is of such great importance and immense merit, it is incumbent upon the Muslim servant to prepare for it in the best possible way and to make the most of his preparations. One form of preparation is sincerity of intention for the sake of ALLAH, meaning that he performs Hajj for the sake of ALLAH's pleasure and not for the praise and commendation of people. He does not intend by this act to please any person. The Lord of Might and Majesty says in Surah Al Bayyinah:

وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓاْ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ

And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him)

Surah Al Bayyina – 5-Part

It has been narrated from the Prophet, peace be upon him, that “Actions are but by intentions, and every person will have only what he intended.” Among the forms of preparation is sincere repentance, for it is the path to success, the guide to the right path, the cause of success, and the bringer of the gifts of prosperity. ALLAH says in Surah Al Noor:

وَتُوبُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ

And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.

Surah Al Noor – 31-Part

Its foundation is remorse for disobedience and not returning to sin. Then, a person does not know whether he will return from his pilgrimage or not. Hence, repentance is obligatory for him, and regret for what he neglected or fell short of is obligatory. And let no one - O servants of ALLAH - be negligent of returning rights to their owners in this world before the Hereafter. On the authority of Seyyedina Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), on the authority of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who said: “You will surely give what is due to its owners on the Day of Resurrection, even to the extent that the hornless sheep will be given its due from the horned sheep.” So let us hasten to repentance, for Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. ALLAH says in Surah Al Tawbah

يَقۡبَلُ ٱلتَّوۡبَةَ عَنۡ عِبَادِهِ

Allâh accepts repentance from His slaves

Surah Al Tawba – 104-Part

اور سورہ الزمر میں فرمایا

And says in Surah Az Zumr

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ

verily Allâh forgives all sins.

Surah Az Zumr – 53-Part

أقولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُالرَّحِيمُ، وَادْعُوهُ يَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ البَرُّ الكَرِيمُ

I say what you hear, and I ask forgiveness from ALLAH Almighty for me and for you, so ask forgiveness from Him and He will forgive you, for He is the Forgiving and Merciful, and pray to Him and He will answer you, for He is The noble righteousness.

الحَمْدُ للَّهِ الَّذِي حَبَّبَ إِلَيْنَا الطَّاعَاتِ، وَيَسَّرَهَا عَلَيْنَا فِي مُخْتَلِفِ الأَوْقَاتِ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا وَنَبِيَّنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُ اللهِ وَرَسُولُهُ، خَيْرُ المُسَارِعِينَ إِلى تَطْبِيقِ شَعَائِرِ الإِسْلامِ، بِالحَجِّ وَالصِّيَامِ وَالقِيَامِ صَلاةً وَسَلامًا دَائِمَيْنِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ الطَّيِّبِينَ، وَمَنْ سَلَكَ مَسْلَكَهُمْ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

Praise be to Allah, who has made acts of obedience beloved to us and made them easy for us at all times. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that our master and prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the servant of Allah and His Messenger, the best of those who hasten to implement the rituals of Islam, with Hajj, fasting and standing in prayer. May prayers and peace be upon him forever and upon his family and his good companions and whoever follows their path until the Day of Judgment.

O servants of ALLAH: The Messenger of ALLAH said: ALLAH is good and accepts only what is good. Therefore, it is obligatory for the one going on Hajj to have his money from lawful sources. If a person does not choose lawful sources for his Hajj, then what is the point of that? For the wise person who is keen on his pilgrimage avoids all suspicion, and draws near to ALLAH with the best of his wealth, and ALLAH will grant him success in a valid pilgrimage, and accept his good deeds, and he should not forget to leave enough money to support his family until his return; for the best of you are those who are best to their families.

One of the things that the person going on Hajj should be keen on is gaining a general understanding of the religion, and specifically of Hajj-related matters. For whoever ALLAH wills good for, He grants him a good understanding of the religion. And this has become available by the grace of ALLAH. Whoever wants books and pamphlets, they are available, In addition to the special programs offered by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs for this great ritual, out of keenness to educate people about Hajj matters, and what they should do and what they should avoid, praise be to ALLAH for His great favor and generous bounty.and whoever wants educational channels and guidance programs, they are readily available. ALLAH says in Surah Al Nahl

وَمَا بِكُم مِّن نِّعۡمَةٍ۬ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ

And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allâh.

Surah Al Nahl – 53-Part

The pilgrim should not neglect to take good companions, for he is most in need during Hajj of someone who will help him do good and encourage him to do all that is virtuous, for “a person is on the religion of his friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.”

One of the things that some people neglect when they intend to perform Hajj is physical preparation and physical fitness, despite their importance. It is good for every person intending to perform Hajj to accustom himself to healthy eating and continuous walking. Hajj often requires walking, and those who are not accustomed to it may become tired or find some hardship that may prevent them from performing some of the rituals, which ALLAH has made easy for every pilgrim.

So fear ALLAH, O servants of ALLAH, and appreciate the great blessing of Hajj, and prepare for it in the best possible way, and make the most upright preparations, so that good things and blessings will come to you in succession.