The Lady in Haj and Umrah (PKT)

“Foreword – Haj is a spiritual and physical worship. It demands from us spiritual devotion, physical and financial effort. Without the combination of the above three factors the Haj is incomplete. We see in present times the financial effort to come for Haj coupled with a little physical effort and virtually no spiritual effort. It is a Jihad and naturally in warfare, sacrifice, hardship, inconvenience and discomfort is part of the act. Many people are not prepared to undergo any form of rigour. Haj is regarded as another tour. Such Hujjaj come back empty handed, full of complaints. The more money is available, the more comfortable and luxurious the journey. With all the money in the world some people still do not get the comfort they want. Those who have commercialized the Pilgrimage exploit this to the extreme. “Famous five days” “air conditioned comfort” “2 minutes to the Haram” “well known cook” etc. This is a foreign notion to Islam. Can a rich man’s Haj be better than a poor man’s? Did the Prophets (PBUT) conduct their Haj rites in absolute comfort and luxury? Too much good food, fancy aCCommodation and other luxuries weaken the spirit and cultivate arrogance. People who return boasting about the food they ate or the five star services they received are only fooling themselves. Yes, if they have spent long hours in the Haram Sharif, made Tawaaf, recited Qur’an, made Zikr, were humble and courteous will be in line for reward.
This booklet is specifically directed at ladies who go for Haj and Umrah. Many or rather most women set out for this important journey with little or no guidance whatsoever especially on the religious side. Life and society in Makkah and Madinah is totally different to lifestyles in other countries especially the western dominated cultures.
The need is to adapt to that way rather than impose or practice our ways and habits, of which many are contrary to the spirit of Deen.
Before Departing
Make an honest assessment of yourself.
(a) Renew one’s intention for the sake of Allah only. (Ikhlas un Niyyah)
(b) Make taubah of all past wrongs. (Repentance)
(c) Make peace with family, friends and associates.
Ask for forgiveness.
Wrong done to others cannot be forgiven by Allah. One has to be pardoned by the aggrieved party before Allah can forgive.
(d) Settle all debts major and minor.
(e) If you are not regular with salah. Start immediately. The same applies to Quranic recital, Zikr etc. Start performing all salahs missed previously. (Qada Umri)
(f) Acquaint yourself with rules of Taharah (wudu, ghusal, haid etc.) how to perform salah with the Imam, Jumu’ah Salah, Janazah Salah, how to enter and leave the masjid, straightening of rows in salah etc.
(g) Make a firm resolve to live as as Muslim henceforth. Do not make remarks like, “I am wearing this ijaar (pants) and scarf for Haj only”
“I am forced to dress like this”
You will be closing your doors and sealing your fate even before setting out.
(h) Build up your physical stamina as you will have to do quite a bit of walking.
The Author Name(s) humbly requests you to remember him in your duas and at Madinah Munawwarah convey his salaams at the blessed grave of Rasulullah (PBUH).
Those readers who detect any faults do not hesitate to inform me as I am not perfect. Also any additions will be appreciated.
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