The last month of Islamic calander Dhuʻl-Hijjah is all but over, with a few odd days still remaining. The dawn of the 12th moonth ofIslamic calander witnessed the largest gathering of a religious pilgrimage of Hajj from all nock and corner of the world to the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. ALthough the pilgrims start to arrive the Muslim holy lands of Makkah and Medina even bere the month of Dhuʻl-Hijjah, the actual performance of Hajj takes place on 9th of Dhuʻl-Hijjah, with another three (or even four days) reserved for sacrifical of animals and stoning the Jamarat.
We have already published a number of posts exclsuive to Hajj, which can be accessed from our reference page: Dhu al-Hijja (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة): The month of Pilgrimage - The Hajj. These posts will come handy for the intending pilgrims to Makkah next year, In sha Allah.
Today thisis the last of the post on the impact of Hajj on one's life after the performance of Hajj when one reaches back home.
Performance of Hajj has never been easy right from the earlier days of Islam till date. Since Hajj is obligatory on ever able bodied and health man and woman who can afford to pay the expenses of Hajj, most of the beleivers spend their life time savings to fulfill the Divine obligaation imposed on them. In fact those embarking upon Hajj undergo a long list of tests and restraints, specially restricting oneself by imposing a self discipline from performance of many acts which are otherwise allowed in one's daily life.
we have already published two posts about these prohibitions and penalties for violating these prohibitions while in the state of Ihram ' إِحْرَام ':
Now coming back to the life after one has perfformed the Hajj and is back home. How should one life one's life from now on?
It is quoted in many a hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ that a man is reborn after Hajj the same way a baby is born. That is tosay, Hajj white washes all sins and wrong doings of a person after he perfforms Hajj for the sake of Allah alone. And opens for him the gates of Jannah, as quoted in of the Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ : The reward for Hajj Mabroor is nothing else but Jannah [Paradise] "‘اَلْحَجُّ الْمَبْرُوْرُ لَيْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إِلَّا الْجَنَّةُ"
However, this does not mean that one should resort to the same life as was before Hajj, thinking one is the forgiven one and life from hereon is a blessed one. In fact the real test starts from after one returns from Hajj and gets into the normal life routine. From now on, one will be watched more closely by Allah and his actions will be scrutinised under the Divine microscpe.
The restrictions imposed while in state of Ihram, link given above, condition oneself as to how one should discipline one's life as desired by Allah. Although, this does not mean that one should continue to practice all restrictions imposed in state of Ihram, but it means that one should from now on restrain oneself from everything that have been prohibited for him, called Haraam.
In fact living life after performing Hajj is a profound responsibility as it marks a major spiritual milestone. In light of the Qur’an and Hadith, a post-Hajj life should reflect sincerity, steadfastness in faith, humility, and righteous conduct. Below is a guide based on Islamic teachings for living a meaningful and faithful life after Hajj
Let us elaborate each step mentioned above;
- Remain Steadfast in Worship
- The Qur'an says in Surah Hud (11:112): “So remain on a right course as you have been commanded…”
- How this can be done?
- Establish and maintain five daily prayers with greater humility and presence.
- Engage in regular Qur’an recitation and reflection.
- Keep fasting, especially on Mondays, Thursdays, and the white days (13th–15th of lunar month).
- Preserve the Purity of the Heart
- Hadith: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression, will return as free from sins as on the day his mother gave birth to him.” — Sahih al-Bukhari (1521)
- How this can be done?
- Avoid major and minor sins.
- Guard your eyes, tongue, and thoughts.
- If you sin, seek immediate repentance (Tawbah).
- Strengthen Good Character (Akhlaq)
- Hadith: “The best among you are those who have the best manners and character.” Sahih al-Bukhari
- How this can be done?
- Be honest, just, and humble in all dealings.
- Forgive others and be patient.
- Uphold ties of kinship and avoid cutting off relations.
- Serve Humanity
- The Qur'an says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195):“…And do good, for Allah loves those who do good.”
- How this can be done?
- Give regular charity (Sadaqah).
- Help the poor, visit the sick, and support the oppressed.
- Be involved in community service and da’wah (calling others to Islam).
- Value the Spiritual Lessons of Hajj
- Reflect on the oneness of the ummah (unity of Muslims).
- Remember the temporary nature of this life, as symbolized by Ihram and the rituals.
- Keep the spirit of sacrifice, humility, and obedience alive.
- Continue Seeking Knowledge
- Hadith:
- “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” Sunan Ibn Majah (224)
- How this can be done?
- Study the Qur’an, Hadith, and Fiqh.
- Attend Islamic classes or lectures.
- Teach others what you learn.
In fact the post Hajj life should be Role Model for others. From now on, one has to reinvent one's life and every act to be reflective of a spiritually cleansed one, and not the replicate one's prervious life of deeit, sin, wrong doings, that is the Satanic path. How this can be done?
- Do not boast of the title of Hajji to impress others but inculcate in one's life utter humility, kindness and love for others.
- Let your behavior reflect your spiritual experience. If you have been a quarrelsome in your pre-Hajj life, make sure you become himble and helping others rather than trying toscore points basedd on your ego and arrogance.
- Be an example in your family, workplace, and society.
- Inspire others to fulfill their religious duties.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
- Dhu al-Hijja (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة): The month of Pilgrimage - The Hajj
- Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A
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