7 Virtues and Benefits of Hajj

 The virtues and benefits of Hajj are immense and manifold. Hajj is a mandatory form of worship for Muslims who are eligible which involves going to Mecca and offer. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that takes place in the month of Dhul-Hijja, 12th and last month of Islamic calendar. Generations have continued to do Hajj since Abraham(Peace Be Upon Him) established House of Allah (Kaaba) and summoned people to it and will continue until the last day when the souls of the believers will be taken by Allah. 

There are numerous virtues and benefits of Hajj from both spiritual, hereafter and this world's perspective. There are plenty of authentic Hadith that tell us the virtues and benefits of Hajj. 

It Removes Sins and Poverty 

Hajj removes sins ans eases poverty from the person who has completed Hajj journey with pure heart and intention. 

Prophet Muhammad(Peace Be Upon Him) said: “Perform Hajj and ‘Umra successively for they remove poverty and sin just as fire removes impurities from iron.” [Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]

 “Whoever intends to perform the Hajj should hasten to it; for one could get sick, his mount could be lost, or he could face poverty and need.” [Sahih Al-Jami’]

Reward Is Paradise

Another hadith states that the ultimate reward cor Mabrur(Accepted Hajj) is paradise. Mabrur and Maqbool are two terms used interchangeably to describe a Hajj that is accepted by Allah. Hajj Mabrur is when it is done without a grain of sin and violation of any ritual and has the divine blessing of Allah. Hajj Maqbool is when Hajj is done without any major/minor transgression but the sinful behavior returns after sometime. 

Defining Hajj Mabrur, Hasan al-Basri V said: “Hajj Mabrur is that Hajj, after which an aversion for the material worldly life is created and an inclination to the hereafter is brought about.”

Protection From Punishment and Hellfire

Another hadith gives surefire protection from Hellfire for those who go on Hajj pilgrimage. Aisha J narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:

"There is no day wherein Allah saves more of his servants from the fire of hell than the Day of Arafat. He draws near and praises them to the angels, saying: ‘What do my servants want?'

READ ALSO: Social and Spiritual Benefits Of Hajj

Pure as Newborn Baby 

A person who completes Hajj without any sin is made sinless and pure as a newborn baby by the mercy of Allah. Another hadith states: 

“Whoever performs a Hajj during which he neither commits iniquity nor sin will return as sinless as a newborn child on the very day his mother delivered him.”

One of The Best Deeds 

Hajj is considered as one of the best deeds by Allah.

The Prophet ﷺ was asked: ‘What is the best deed?’ He replied: ‘To have faith in Allah and His Messenger.’ The enquirer asked: ‘What next?’ The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘To strive in the cause of Allah.’ He was then asked: ‘What is the next best thing?’ He replied: ‘To perform Hajj Mabrur’.

A Type of Jihad

Aisha reports that she once said:

‘O Prophet of Allah! Jihad (striving or fighting in the cause of Allah) is the best deed. Should we (women) then, not actively participate in it?’ The Prophet ﷺ replied: ‘The best Jihad for you is Hajj Mabrur.'

Abu Huraira I narrates:

Jihad for the elderly, the young, the weak, and women is Hajj and Umrah.

Hajjis are Guests of Allah

Abu Huraira I narrates:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘The guests of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, are three: The warrior, the pilgrim performing Hajj and the pilgrim performing Umrah.'

He also narrates:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Pilgrims are the guests of Allah; should they supplicate, Allah will answer their supplications; should they seek forgiveness, Allah will forgive them.'