By Shaykh Abdul Qayum
9 May 2025

﷽

As the blessed days of Hajj draw near and many members of our community prepare for one of the most important journeys of their lives, this is a time for deep reflection as much as it is for preparation. The weeks ahead are not just about sorting out travel plans or packing bags. This is a moment to step back from the rush of daily life and turn inward and to ask ourselves what it really means to be a servant of Allah. 

Hajj isn’t just a trip; it’s an act of devotion that strips us of pride and status and places us all equally before Allah The Most High. As we get ready, let's not just not attend to our belongings, let us also prepare our hearts.

Hajj is more than a set of rituals. It is, for most of us, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect deeply and personally with the legacy of Prophet Ibrāhīm, his wife Hājar, and their son Ismāʿīl (peace be upon them all). Allah reminds us in the Qur’an:

Hajj takes us back to that Blessed House, a place full of signs from Allah and lessons for humanity. Every step of the journey carries the weight of history and the example of those who submitted to Allah’s command. From walking between Safā and Marwah to the days spent in Minā, the water drank form the spring of Zamzam, each moment reminds us of the sacrifice, patience, and trust in Allah.

Allah says:

And in another verse:

These symbols are not to be performed robotically. Whether it’s running between the hills of Safā and Marwah or casting stones at the Jamarāt, each action is a moment of dhikr (remembrance) and surrender.  

As we repeat the moving Talbiyah – Labbaika Allāhumma labbaik… – we are reaffirming our servitude and devotion to Allah alone: 

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ
 إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

“Here I am, O Allah, here I am.
Here I am, You have no partner, here I am.
Verily, all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You.
You have no partner.”

This is the essence of Hajj. I respond to Your call, O Allah. Even if I don’t understand the wisdom behind each action, I submit. Even if the journey is difficult, crowded, or uncomfortable, I accept it for Your sake. This is a declaration of obedience, not convenience

Hajj is also a purification and a training ground. Allah says:

This verse teaches us that Hajj isn’t just about the body. It is about controlling the tongue, restraining the ego, and disciplining the soul. No arguing, no backbiting, no showing off. Even when someone takes our space, even when the conditions are less than perfect, we remain calm, we stay silent, we choose patience.

When we are in Minā, in a simple tent, with no luxuries, that too is worship. Some people might think they could be earning more reward in the Haram itself by praying extra rakʿāt. But Hajj is not about doing what we think is better, it is about doing what Allah has commanded.

Even the act of staying in Minā – despite its simplicity and discomfort – is an act of obedience. Some may feel tempted to return to Makkah for more tawāf, thinking it carries more reward. But Hajj is not about personal preference or seeking convenience. It is about following the command of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. True submission means doing what is prescribed, not what feels more spiritually satisfying on our own terms. 

The millionaire in ihrām is no different from the labourer beside him. The five-star pilgrim and the simple backpacker stand shoulder to shoulder. This is how we are reminded that in the sight of Allah, it is not our clothes or our wealth that matter, but the sincerity in our hearts.

Let us remember that Hajj is a gift and an opportunity to change. Let us use it to soften our hearts, to seek forgiveness, and to renew our commitment to Allah. May those who go return transformed, and may those of us who remain behind be granted the chance to go in future years.

Ameen.

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