Every year, millions of Muslims across the world embark on a pilgrimage journey to Mecca for Hajj which is one of the great pillars of Islam.
Hajj which means a visit to the house of God (Ka’bah in Mecca) requires both physical and financial expenditure. This is why the major criteria for going on Hajj pilgrimage must not be about being physically and mentally fit alone but intending pilgrims must have the financial strength to embark on the journey.
The visitation to perform Hajj could be traced to the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) who raised the foundations of the holy house and called on people to come to it, as Allah ordered him. So when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) performed his first Hajj in the year 628, he laid the foundation of the holy pilgrimage and re-established the traditions of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Since then Muslims all over the world have been embarking on Hajj. This won’t stop until end time.
Muslims are enjoined to always have an intention of going for Hajj even if it’s once in a lifetime. Those who could not afford its overall expenses get sponsored by either the government, NGOs, Islamic religious bodies, corporate organisations and the rich. Every year, a huge amount of money is spent sponsoring people to Mecca for Hajj. Many people would wonder the reasons why rich Muslims spend Millions of naira every year sponsoring people. Before mentioning the importance of sponsoring people to Hajj, let’s briefly look at the many benefits an Hajj pilgrim enjoys:
First is that it is one of the best and most righteous deeds that can be done by a Muslim. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (SAW) was asked: “‘What is the best deed?’ He replied: ‘To have faith in Allah (SWT) and His Messenger.’ The enquirer asked: ‘What next?’ The Prophet (SAW) said: ‘To perform Jihad for the Sake of Allah (SWT).’ The enquirer asked: ‘What next?’ The Prophet (SAW) said: ‘A valid and accepted Hajj.’” (Bukhari)
Second is that performing Hajj purifies you of your sins. Islam teaches the act of cleansing oneselves of sins like greed, envy and worldliness, to earn success in the Hereafter. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing, he, or she, will come out as the day he, or she, was born – pure and sinless.” (Bukhari)
Third, anyone who performs Hajj with increased Taqwa (God-consciousness) and to a high standard of perfection, will be admitted into Paradise. “A Mabroor Hajj, complete and accepted, has no reward for it but Jannah.” (Muslim)
Fourth is that Hajj eradicates poverty and sins. Hajj eliminates poverty by its teaching on being compassionate towards others and giving charity. “Perform Hajj and ‘Umrah successively for they remove poverty and sins just as fire removes the impurities of iron.” (Tirmidhi)
The fifth benefit is that those performing Hajj are considered as guests of Allah (SWT). He is attentive to their needs and listens to their prayers closely. “The fighter for the Sake of Allah and the one observing the Hajj and ‘Umrah are the guests of Allah; He invited them and they responded, and when they asked Him, He gave them.” (Ibn Maajah) This is why many people send their prayer requests to Hajj Pilgrim as they strongly believe making those requests on their behalf hastening their acceptance.
Performing Hajj no doubt comes with many spiritual and social benefits part of which have been explained. But the greatest benefit of embarking on the holy pilgrimage is entering Paradise which is the ultimate goal of every believer.
On why many The rich sponsor people to Mecca for Hajj, the best answer for it could be found in Prophet Mohammad’s tradition (Hadith) as reported by Abu Mas’ud where he quoted the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying, “Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like one who did it.” This therefore implies that all the rewards amassed by someone who is being sponsored for Hajj are also duplicated for his or her sponsor.
Sponsoring people to Hajj is seen as a form of Jihad (striving in the cause of Allah). It creates the avenue for more Muslims to see and feel the beauty of the religion. They embark on a series of excursions to many historic places and signs which were mentioned in the Quran. By this, the understanding of the religion is established.
A visit to Mecca for Hajj gives an avenue of experiencing the uniqueness of Islam and the many virtues it preaches such as brotherhood unity, uniformity and equality before God. Hajj brings together Muslims from all walks of life and serves as a reminder of how we are all equal in the eyes of Allah (SWT). No matter your culture, ethnicity, or status, those who perform Hajj all unite for the same purpose, to attain closeness to Allah (SWT).
People sponsored to Hajj will further learn the true practice of the religion. They would reaffirm the belief, pray, fast, give charity which are basics of the religion. Doing this would make them more knowledgeable about Islam and how it should be practiced. Hajj is no doubt a journey of learning.
