Virtues of Makkah, and Words of Advice for ‘Umrah Pilgrims

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Makkah: The Most Beloved Land to Allaah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama)

by his eminence ash-Shaykh Wasiullaah ibn Muhammad ‘Abbaas

Al-Imaam al-Bukhaaree collected from ‘Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu ‘anhaa) that she said, “When the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) came to al-Madeenah, fever befell both Aboo Bakr and Bilaal. Whenever Aboo Bakr’s fever became severe, he would recite the following verses of poetry,

كُلُّ امْرِئٍ مُصَبَّحٌ فِي أَهْلِهِ   ***   وَالْمَوْتُ أَدْنَى مِنْ شِرَاكِ نَعْلِهِ

‘Each person reaches morning alive among his people, yet death looms nearer to him than his own shoe strap.’ Additionally, whenever Bilaal’s fever subsided he would recite the following verses of poetry while weeping,

أَلَا لَيْتَ شِعْرِي هَلْ أَبِيتَنَّ لَيْلَةً   ***   بِوَادٍ وَحَوْلِي إِذْخِرٌ وَجَلِيلُ

وَهَلْ أَرِدَنْ يَوْمًا مِيَاهَ مَجَنَّةٍ   ***   وَهَلْ يَبْدُوَنْ لِي شَامَةٌ وَطَفِيلُ

‘If I could only just spend a single night in a valley while surrounded by Ithkhir and Jaleel (particular types of plants). Will there come the day when I can drink the water of Majannah[1], and will I ever again see Shaamah and Tafeel[2]?’ He further said, ‘O Allaah, expel from Your mercy Shaybah ibn Rabee‘ah, ‘Utbah ibn Rabee‘ah, and Umayyah ibn Khalaf as they have expelled us from our homeland to a land of disease.’ Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) then said, ‘O Allaah, make al-Madeenah as beloved to us as Makkah, or even more. O Allaah, bless us in our saa‘ and our mudd (units of measurement), make this place livable for us, and divert its fever towards al-Juhfah’.” ‘Aa’ishah added, “When we came to al-Madeenah it was the most diseased of Allaah’s Earth, and the But-haan valley of al-Madeenah used to flow with putrid, dirty water.”[3]

Ibn ‘Abbaas (radiyallaahu ‘anhumaa) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) said to Makkah, “You are most certainly a fine land, and you are indeed dearly beloved to me. Had my people not expelled me, I would not have settled in any place besides you.” This was collected by at-Tirmithee, ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh, and at-Tabaraanee in al-Kabeer. At-Tirmithee commented, “It is a hasan ghareeb hadeeth from this route of narration.” Al-Haakim commented in al-Mustadrak, “It has a saheeh chain,” and ath-Thahabee agreed.

In addition, ibn Jareer collected from ibn ‘Abbaas (radiyallaahu ‘anhumaa) that when the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) left Makkah and headed to the cave, he turned back facing Makkah and said, “You are the most beloved land of Allaah to Allaah, and you are the most beloved land to me. Had the idolaters not expelled me, I would not have departed from you. Furthermore, the fiercest of enemies are those who would remorselessly violate the limits of Allaah within His sanctuary, murder an innocent person, or seek revenge for crimes perpetrated in the days of ignorance prior to Islaam.” Allaah then revealed, ((Messenger of Allaah, there were many towns stronger than your town – Makkah – whose people have now expelled you. Yet, We destroyed those other towns when they rejected the Messengers who were sent to them, and there was none who could assist them against Allaah’s punishment.))[4] Al-Qurtubee commented that this “is a saheeh hadeeth.”

At-Tirmithee, Ahmad – from three routes – and ‘Abd ibn Humayd all collected that ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Adee ibn al-Hamraa’ said, “I saw the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) standing at the location called al-Hazwarah[5] saying, ‘I swear by Allaah that you are the best spot upon the Earth of Allaah, and the most beloved of the Earth to Allaah. Had I not been expelled from you, I would not have left’.” In one of the routes collected by Ahmad, ‘Abdur-Razzaaq explained, “Al-Hazwarah is at the entrance of the hannaateen (wheat sellers).”

Al-Faakihee collected in Akhbaar Makkah from ‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb from his father, from his grandfather that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) appointed ‘Attaab ibn Usayd over the people of Makkah and said to him, “Do you know where I am sending you? I am sending you to govern the people of Allaah. There is no land more beloved to Allaah (‘azza wa jalla), or to myself, than that land. However, my people expelled me, so I left. Had they not expelled me, I would not have left.”

The Encouragement to Reside in Makkah

Al-Azraqee collected that ibn Abee Najeeh narrated that ‘Aa’ishah said, “If it were not for the Hijrah, I would have settled in Makkah. I have never seen any other place where the heavens are closer to the ground than in Makkah, there is no other place were my heart has ever felt the tranquility it felt in Makkah, and I have never seen the moon in any place looking as beautiful as it does in Makkah.”

Al-Jundee collected in Fadaa’il Makkah with a hasan chain of narration from Abut-Tufayl that ibn ‘Abbaas said, “Reside in Makkah even if you only had thorny shrubs to eat.”

With respect to residing in Makkah, some scholars of Islaam discouraged it while others recommended it.

Al-Faasee said, “Residing in Makkah is recommended according to most scholars. Among them are ash-Shaafi‘ee; Aboo Yoosuf and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, the two companions of Aboo Haneefah; and ibn al-Qaasim, the companion of Maalik. Ahmad ibn Hanbal also considered it recommended as it was reported that he said, ‘I wish could now reside in Makkah’.” Among those who discouraged residence in Makkah was Aboo Haneefah. Ibn Rushd al-Maalikee concluded that from a remark which was made by Maalik.

The reason for its discouragement according to those who hold that view is fear of becoming disinterested and having less reverence due to being accustomed to the place, as well as fear of committing sins there since they are not the same as sins committed anywhere else. Those who did not discourage residing in Makkah said that it is something honorable and whatever fear there may be of committing sins is to be viewed in light of the multiplied reward earned by performing righteous deeds. An-Nawawee commented in al-Eedaah, “The view we choose is the recommendation of residing in Makkah due to the multiplied reward for performing righteous deeds and acts of obedience there. Countless individuals among the former and latter generations of the Ummah – those whose example is to be emulated – resided in Makkah.”

One of the strongest proofs supporting residing in Makkah is the desire of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) to live there and the longing of Bilaal to return to Makkah as mentioned in his poetry cited earlier, “If I could only just spend a single night in a valley while surrounded by Ithkhir and Jaleel. Will there come the day when I can drink the water of Majannah, and will I ever again see Shaamah and Tafeel?” Furthermore, the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) encouraged residing in al-Madeenah, and since Makkah is more virtuous than al-Madeenah, it follows that residing in Makkah is better and more desirable. Al-Muhibb at-Tabaree listed fifty-four Companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) who resided in Makkah for some time or settled there, and most of them passed away there.

However, anyone honored by Allaah to reside close to His House must conduct himself fittingly and keep himself in check so as to not commit in this land any act which contravenes the pristine teachings of Islaam. Allaah has threatened anyone who merely intends to commit sins while in it that He shall make such a person taste a painful punishment. Therefore, what can be said about someone who persists in committing sins and misdeeds while there?

The Inhabitants of Makkah are called “the People of Allaah”

Al-Mahaamilee collected that Anas (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) appointed ‘Attaab ibn Usayd over Makkah and he was stern with the dubious, but gentle with the people of Eemaan. He used to say, “I swear by Allaah that I do not know anyone who deliberately stays away from this prayer in congregation except that I would strike his neck. That is because no one stays back from it except a Munaafiq.” The people of Makkah said, “Messenger of Allaah, you have appointed over the people of Allaah a crude desert-dwelling nomad.” He replied, “In my sleep, I most certainly saw him approach the gate of Jannah, took hold of a ring on the gate, knock until it was opened for him, and he then entered.”[6]

Al-Azraqee collected from ibn Abee Mulaykah and Mu‘aath ibn Abil-Haarith – with a mursal chain from each of them – that when the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) appointed ‘Attaab ibn Usayd over Makkah he said, “Do you know whom I have appointed you over? I have appointed you over the people of Allaah.”[7] Al-Faakihee also collected this narration from ‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb, from his father, from his grandfather from the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama), but its chain contains Nasr ibn Baab who is a weak narrator.

Al-Azraqee and al-Faakihee collected that ibn Abee Mulaykah said, “In the past, when people from Makkah were encountered they would be addressed as ‘people of Allaah’ or it would be said when referring to any of them, ‘this is one of the people of Allaah.’”[8]

Al-Faakihee added that ‘Abdul-Muttalib said the following about the people of Allaah,

وَنَحْنُ آلُ اللهِ فِي بَلَدِهِ لَمْ   ***   يَزَلْ ذَاكَ عَلَى عَهْدِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ

“And we are the people of Allaah in His land, which has continued that way since the time of Ibraaheem.”

Al-Hasan ibn Muslim narrated that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab appointed Naafi‘ ibn ‘Abdil-Haarith al-Khuzaa‘ee over Makkah. When Naafi‘ came to ‘Umar he greeted him and ‘Umar said to him, “Who have you left as your deputy over the people of Makkah?” He replied, “ibn Abzaa.” ‘Umar said, “You appointed an ex-slave over the people of Allaah?” ‘Umar became upset and he stood from the saddle of his mount. Naafi‘ said, “I most certainly found him to be the best among them in reading the Book of Allaah and the most knowledgeable among them about the religion of Allaah.” At that, ‘Umar lowered himself until he sat upon his mount he then said, “If that is what you say, then I have heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) saying, ‘Allaah indeed raises people by this religion and lowers others by it’.”

It was also collected by way of another route, stronger than the first, from Naafi‘ ibn al-Haarith that he met ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) who asked him, “Who have you left as your deputy over the people of Makkah?” He responded, “ibn Abzaa.” ‘Umar remarked, “An ex-slave?!” He replied, “Yes. He most certainly reads the Book of Allaah proficiently.”  ‘Umar (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) then said, “Allaah indeed raises people by this Qur’aan and lowers others by it.”

‘Abdur-Razzaaq collected – and, through him, so did al-Faakihee, Ishaaq ibn Raahooyah, al-Azraqee, and al-Khattaabee – that Asmaa’ bint ‘Umays said, “A man from the Muhaajireen came to Aboo Bakr as-Siddeeq (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) while he was ill and said, ‘You appointed ‘Umar as Khaleefah over us and he has dealt with us harshly prior to being in authority.  Once he has full authority over us, he would be even harsher. What will you say to Allaah when you meet Him?’ Aboo Bakr said, ‘Sit me up,’ so those with him sat him up and he then said, ‘Is there anything besides Allaah (‘azza wa jalla) that you could ever make me frightened about? I will certainly say to Him when I meet Him: I appointed over them the best of Your people’.” Ma‘mar said, “I asked az-Zuhree what does his statement ‘the best of Your people’ mean?” He replied, “The best of the people of Makkah.” Its chain of narration is saheeh.

Referring to them as the people of Allaah is a manifestation of holding them in high esteem and honoring them. Al-Khattaabee explained the statement of Aboo Bakr “I have appointed over them the best of Your people” to mean the best of the Muhaajireen. They used to call the people of Makkah “people of Allaah” as a form of honoring them. An expression of a similar nature is “the house of Allaah,” and there is a hadeeth which says, “Indeed, there are people of Allaah, and they are the carriers of the Qur’aan.”[9]

The hadeeth mentioned by al-Khattaabee – “Indeed, there are people of Allaah…” – is saheeh. It was collected by Ahmad, ibn Maajah, and ad-Daarimee with a saheeh chain from Anas (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) who said that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) said, “Indeed, there are people of Allaah among mankind.” The Companions asked, “Messenger of Allaah, who are they?” He replied, “The people of the Qur’aan. They are the people of Allaah and His chosen ones.”[10]

Endnotes:

[1] The name of a spot some distance from Makkah where a market used to be located.

[2] The classical scholar of Islaam, al-Khattaabee, had commented, “I used to think they were two mountains, until I later found that they were springs.”

[3] Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1889).

[4] Soorah Muhammad (47):13.

[5] A small hill at the bottom of which the marketplace of Makkah used to be located – in the vicinity of the Ka‘bah – at the minaret of al-Masjid al-Haraam in the direction of al-Ajyaad.

[6] Al-Isaabah (2/456).

[7] Akhbaar Makkah of al-Azraqee (2/151, 153).

[8] Akhbaar Makkah of al-Azraqee (2/151).

[9] Ghareeb al-Hadeeth (2/38).

[10] Musnad Ahmad (1/127,128,143), Sunan ibn Maajah (1/78), Sunan ad-Daarimee (2/422).

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Essential Words of Advice to those Performing ‘Umrah

from his eminence ash-Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Abdil-‘Azeez as-Sudays

All praise is due to Allaah. The proofs of His Majesty are undeniably clear. I praise Allaah, the Most Exalted, who made Hajj an obligatory duty upon us. Thus, people come from every hill and valley, immensely delighted at the favour and mercy of Allaah. May Allaah grant commendation and protection to our Prophet Muhammad, as well as to the Prophet’s family and Companions – the most outstanding of all who performed ‘Umrah and Hajj – and to all who tread in their footsteps and ascend to great heights by following their guidance.

Dear ‘Umrah pilgrims, it is a truly noble objective to perform ‘Umrah at this sacred location which has observing taqwaa and pleasing Allaah as its foundations. These precincts comprise the qiblah (i.e. prayer direction) of all Muslims, the location of tawaaf, and places where Jibreel descended and parts of the Qur’aan were revealed. In a location like this, mercy descends, misdeeds are pardoned, ranks are raised, forgiveness is graciously bestowed, and the Lord of all creation is pleased with His servants. However, the knowledge that some people have about the objectives and rulings pertaining to ‘Umrah – this revered act of worship in Islaam – is unfortunately not always that deep. Proper knowledge about ‘Umrah emphasizes the greatness, mercy, permanence, and comprehensive nature of Islaam. This is especially needed at a time when the understandings of some people have deviated from the correct, clear path of Islaam.

Respected ‘Umrah pilgrims, you have come from various parts of the world, enduring long travels by air, land, and sea. You are now at the Sanctified House of Allaah in this inviolable land, with mercy and tranquility enveloping you. Hands are humbly raised, eyes shed tears, hearts are filled with hope, and souls feel satisfied. Thus, I present the following “Essential Words of Advice to those Performing ‘Umrah,” as you are here for this tremendous act of worship. I beseech Allaah to make these exhortations beneficial, and to pardon my shortcomings. He is Most Forgiving, Bestower of mercy, and the best whose grace and bounty are hoped for. May Allaah, our Guardian and Protector, allow you to fulfill your aspirations and glean benefit from the following words of advice.

1: [Tawheed] Tawheed is the most vital foundation upon which all acts of worship are built. ‘Umrah, Hajj, prayer, fasting, charity, and all other acts of worship must be directed to Allaah alone and none other. Allaah said, ((Recall when We designated for Ibraaheem the site of the Ka‘bah, saying, ‘Do not worship anything besides Me’.)) [22:26]. Therefore, the greatest objective and benefit of ‘Umrah is to establish Tawheed by sincerely worshipping Allaah alone without any partner. Tawheed and ‘Aqeedah must always be given priority since they are the most important foundations for all else. Allaah instructed His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), ((Say: Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my life, and my death are for Allaah, the Lord of all creation. He has no partner.)) [6:162-163].

It is, therefore, not permissible to seek alleviation of difficulties, fulfillment of needs, or healing except from Allaah. He is the only One who has the ability to avert harm, regulate all things, and control the passage of time. There is no true God except Allaah, and no one else has the right to be worshipped except Him. He instructed His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), ((Say: who could intervene for you in any way if Allaah willed harm for you, or if He willed good for you?)) [48:11]. Allaah also said, ((If Allaah allows adversity to befall you, none can remove it except Him; and if He blesses you with goodness, none can withhold it since only He is able to do all things)) [6:17].

The Talbiyah that emanates from your hearts and is repeated upon your tongues – labbaykallaahumma labbayaka, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayaka – is a sincere declaration of Tawheed and devotion to Allaah alone. It is an affirmation of His sole right to Lordship and His sole right to be worshipped. Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him), narrated that the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) “assumed Ihraam by making the declaration of Tawheed, saying: labbaykallaahumma labbayka.” Thus, always contemplate this tremendous meaning as you say the Talbiyah. Make your intention sincerely for Allaah alone, and follow the path of His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection).

2: [Sincerity] Nothing can rid you of sins except perfecting your sincerity to Allaah. Thus, it is absolutely essential that you maintain sincerity to Allaah, since success cannot be attained without it. Allaah instructed His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), ((Say: it is Allaah alone whom I sincerely worship)) [39:14]. Allaah also said, ((Indeed, worship is to be directed sincerely to Allaah alone)) [39:3].

The Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) stated, “Indeed, all actions are only by intentions.” He also said, “Allaah does not accept a deed unless it is done sincerely, seeking His Face.” In addition, the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) stated, “Allaah supports this Ummah due to its downtrodden, because of their supplications, prayers, and sincerity.”

Yoosuf ibn al-Hasan said, “Sincerity is the rarest and most difficult thing to find in this world. I have struggled so many times to rid my heart of the desire to show off, only to find it sprout once again in a different way.”

Thus, you must not desire for others to see your deeds or hear about them. Do not allow people, ideologies, or other motives to divert you from sincerity to Allaah, since all such things oppose, detract from, or even annul this vital principle.

How could someone performing ‘Umrah choose to give up the praise and bounty that Allaah will grant him, when there is no better praise than His and no better bounty to store away for oneself than His? Allaah is the One who is fully knowledgeable about, and acquainted with, everything we conceal within ourselves.

During the Farewell Hajj, the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) stated, “O Allaah, this is a Hajj without wanting to be seen or heard of by others.” He said this cautioning and teaching us to eliminate those motives.

Furthermore, one of established principles in Islaam is that things are assessed based on the motives behind them. You must, therefore, ensure to maintain your sincerity to Allaah as it is the key to your salvation.

3: [Sunnah] We have been commanded to emulate the example of Allaah’s beloved and chosen Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection). Allaah said, ((Take whatever the Messenger gives you, and refrain from whatever he forbids you from)) [59:7]. Allaah also instructed His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), ((Say: If you love Allaah, then follow me. If you do so, Allaah will love you)) [3:31]. This aayah exposes anyone who claims to love Allaah and His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) yet does not emulate the guidance of the Messenger. The eminent scholar ibn Sa‘dee (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented, “This aayah is the criterion which distinguishes between those who truly love Allaah and those who merely claim to. The sign which proves love for Allaah is to emulate Muhammad (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection).” Allaah also said, ((Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger, and beware of disobedience)) [5:92].

Allaah also warned us in very strong terms to not oppose the Sunnah of His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) or deviate from his guidance. Allaah said, ((Thus, let those who oppose his command beware lest Fitnah befall them or they are afflicted by an excruciating punishment)) [24:63]. Al-Imaam Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented, “Do you know what ‘Fitnah’ refers to? ‘Fitnah’ refers to shirk. A person might reject something said by the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) and, as a result, some form of deviance would enter his heart and lead to his demise.”

The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) encouraged us to adhere to his Sunnah and learn from him when he said, “Learn your rites of Hajj from me.” He also condemned and warned against acts that are not sanctioned by Islaam, saying, “If anyone performs a deed that does not conform to our command, it shall be rejected.”

When ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) kissed the Black Stone he made a statement which demonstrated remarkable submission to Allaah and emulation of His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection). ‘Umar said, “Indeed, I know that you are merely a stone that can bring no benefit or cause any harm. Had I not seen the Prophet kiss you (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), I would not have kissed you.”

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented, “There were times when ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) would firmly resolve to do something, but if he was told that the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) did not do such a thing, he would not do it.” That was the attitude and practice of the Salaf (foremost generations of Islaam), may Allaah have mercy upon them.

There are many other texts that command emulating the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), and such a multitude of proofs cannot be found for any other exhortation.

Unfortunately, there are people who seek blessings by wiping the Maqaam, the rings found on the Ka‘bah, and the doors of the Masjid. We ask Allaah to guide them, since those are practices which have been invented and then ascribed to Islaam. They are far from the guidance of the Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection). The best practices in Islaam are those which conform to his guidance, and the worst practices are those which are invented and then claimed to be part of Islaam.

You have been blessed with the opportunity to perform ‘Umrah, so consistently adhere to the Sunnah and emulate our beloved Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) in all things, large and small, so as to be successful. Always bear in mind that deeds are not accepted and do not merit reward unless they fulfill two conditions. Firstly, they must be performed sincerely for Allaah, purified from all other motives. Secondly, they must conform to the guidance of the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection).

4: [Taqwaa] Constant observance of Taqwaa is a vital factor by which your deeds are purified and enhanced, and it allows you to reach the abode of Jannah by the permission of Allaah. Observing Taqwaa of Allaah means doing one’s utmost to fulfill His commands and avoid His prohibitions. You are now in a setting where a virtuous time coincides with a virtuous place. Moreover, you are here for this virtuous occasion where you have many auspicious opportunities to attain goodness from Allaah. Earnestly invoking Allaah, remaining mindful of Him, making plentiful mention of Him, and repenting to Him are all done as part of observing Taqwaa. It is an objective which people have exerted themselves to understand and actualize. This deeply moving spiritual atmosphere around us is replete with awe-inspiring displays of Tawheed and people invoking Allaah. Their voices resonate with glorification of Allaah and expressing praise, gratitude, love, and sincerity to Him. This is most certainly a setting conducive to observing Taqwaa. Furthermore, Allaah told us about Taqwaa and the people who observe it. He said, ((Take provision for yourselves, and the best provision is certainly Taqwaa”)) [2:197]. In addition, Allaah said, ((People of Eemaan, observe Taqwaa of Allaah as He rightfully deserves, and ensure that you do not die except submitting to Allaah in Islaam)) [3:102].

Allaah also told us about the immense reward of those who observe Taqwaa. He said, ((However, those who observe Taqwaa of their Lord shall have dwellings built one above another, with rivers flowing beneath them. Such is the promise of Allaah, and Allaah does not go back on His promise)) [39:20]. Allaah also said, ((Indeed, the people of Taqwaa shall be granted an abode of enjoyment, success, and safety; gardens and vineyards; young mature wives of equal age; and a full cup. There, they shall not hear any useless, sinful speech or lies. This shall be the recompense from your Lord – a generous and fulfilling reward)) [78:31-36].

Aboo Sa‘eed al-Khudree (may Allaah be pleased with him) once sought counsel from the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), who told him, “I counsel you to observe Taqwaa of Allaah, as it is the head of all things.”

The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) also said, “Indeed, Allaah loves His servant who observes Taqwaa, is content in his heart, and remains inconspicuous, preoccupied with all that concerns him.”

It should be clear from the foregoing aayaat and hadeeth that when someone is guided to observe Taqwaa, he has certainly attained tremendous goodness. Therefore, earnestly seize this wondrous opportunity to inculcate this quality within yourselves.

Taqwaa is the clearest path to the loftiest of objectives, so do not neglect it. When you adorn yourself with Taqwaa, you shall not fear loss for a single day of your life.

In short, observing Taqwaa is the command that Allaah gave to all earlier and latter generations, as He said, ((And We have indeed instructed those given Scriptures prior to you, as well as you yourselves, to observe Taqwaa of Allaah)) [4:131].

5: [Magnitude of ‘Umrah] All people of sound understanding sense the magnitude of this remarkable obligation. It must, therefore, be treated according to the prestigious rank it holds among all the rites of Islaam. It is not an excursion, tour, or inherited traditional cultural practice – not at all! On the contrary, dear guests of honour, this is a very significant act of worship which Allaah has blessed you with. Furthermore, ‘Umrah is an absolutely incredible means leading to prosperity in this world and the hereafter. It is a journey filled with Eemaan and every form of good for the Ummah at large, and especially for the ‘Umrah pilgrims themselves. It is a precious chance to repent to Allaah and devote oneself to Him, while remaining far away from corrupted beliefs, ideologies, and practices.

Therefore – may Allaah grant all of you His protection – when you genuinely sense the magnitude of ‘Umrah, goodness and success will accompany you by Allaah’s permission. ((Such is Allaah’s command, and when people revere all that Allaah has made sacred, that is best for them with their Lord.)) [22:30].

6: [Sanctity of the Haram] The Ka‘bah is the direction which Muslims face in prayer, and to which the hearts of all people who have Eemaan are drawn. It is the centre of the universe, and there is love for it in the heart of every Muslim in all parts of the world. Thus, it is necessary to respect the sanctity of all that is within the boundaries of the Haram, and be conscious of the sacredness of this location.

It is the safest, purest, and most noble location upon the face of the Earth. It is a place that has special qualities and virtues outlined by Islaam: no blood is to be shed within its precincts, its fresh vegetation is not to be uprooted, its trees are not to be cut, its game animals are not to be disturbed, and property lost there is not to be picked up except by someone who wishes to announce that it has been found. Thus, trees, humans, plants, and animals within it are to remain protected from fear and harm, and this especially applies to the people who submit to Allaah in Islaam. Allaah said, ((If anyone enters its precincts, he is not to be harmed)) [3:97].

These few rulings have been mentioned in order for the dearly beloved ‘Umrah pilgrims to realize that it is absolutely impermissible to do things in this sanctified place which oppose the principles and objectives of Islaam.

Within the Haram area, no one should profess any beliefs other than the Tawheed of Allaah. It is impermissible for anyone who has Eemaan in Allaah and the Last Day to frighten and terrify people who are in safety, and to disrupt the tranquility and focus of the worshippers who are devoted to Allaah. It is also impermissible to exploit this magnificent pillar of Islaam in order to achieve devious ulterior motives which are in contradiction to the teachings of Islaam and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad who was the best individual among all of creation (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection).

If someone ever intends to do such things, or even considers them, he must remember the severe warning in the statement of Allaah, ((And if someone intends to disobey Allaah within it, We shall make him taste an excruciating torment)) [22:25]. Punishment for merely intending to do wrong, even if the wrong is not carried out, is a ruling which applies specifically to the area within the Haram boundaries, and there is no other place that has such sanctity.

Thus, all individuals and groups must honour the sanctity of this sacred location from the time of their arrival until their departure. ((Such is Allaah’s command, and when people revere the defining marks of Allaah’s religion that He designated as rites by which He is worshipped, that is a reflection of Taqwaa in their hearts)) [22:32].

7: [Knowledge] In this age of wireless technology and the information revolution, there is a word of advice which must be directed to all ‘Umrah operators, as well as to the ‘Umrah pilgrims themselves. It is vital to adequately prepare for this important rite of Islaam by learning the details of how to perform it correctly. Allaah told us about the prestige held by the people of knowledge, ((The only servants of Allaah who have true reverential fear of Him are the ones who have knowledge)) [35:28]. The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) said, “Acquiring knowledge is an obligation upon each Muslim.” The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) also stated, “When Allaah wants good for someone, He grants him understanding of the religion.” ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, “Either be someone who has knowledge or someone who seeks to acquire knowledge, not anyone else.” Knowledge enables one to obey Allaah’s commands and refrain from His prohibitions, and ‘Umrah is a practical implementation of the knowledge one has about the rulings pertaining to it.

Dear ‘Umrah pilgrims, I appeal to you in these short words to diligently learn the details of performing ‘Umrah. Do not hesitate to ask people of knowledge. By the grace of Allaah, they are now widely accessible throughout this site where ‘Umrah is performed. Allaah, the Most Mighty and Majestic, said, ((And ask the people of knowledge if you do not know)) [16:43].

Despite that, there are some negligent and ignorant individuals who claim that the only thing which really matters in acts of worship is the sincerity of one’s intention. We ask Allaah to guide such people, since that is a completely incorrect claim which contradicts the religion of Allaah. The statement of the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), “Learn your rites of Hajj from me,” is enough to disprove that false idea.

How could it ever be permissible to worship Allaah based on ignorance, or to tarnish the rites of ‘Umrah by engaging in reprehensible innovations, worshipping others along with Allaah, or performing the rites without guidance or knowledge? I swear by Allaah that any Muslim in general would avoid such an attitude, let alone one who has travelled across oceans and deserts seeking to please Allaah, the Almighty and Most Forgiving.

8: [Obeying Allaah] ‘Umrah yields benefits in the realm of self-improvement. One such benefit is consistently observing sound conduct. Another is purifying one’s limbs from sins and disobedience to Allaah, since they are the cause of loss and regret. Allaah said, ((There is to be no Rafath, Fusooq, or argumentation during Hajj)) [2:197]. “Rafath” refers to intercourse and its precursors. “Fusooq” refers to sins, no matter how great or small.

Ibn al-Qayyim astutely commented, “A person should realize that sins inevitably harm him. They harm the heart in proportion to their severity just as poison harms the body. There is no evil or ailment in this world or the hereafter which is not a result of sins and misdeeds.” [See al-Jawaab al-Kaafee, pg. 46-47].

Regarding people who have reverential fear of Allaah, al-Hasan al-Basree (may Allaah have mercy upon him) stated, “They diligently worship and obey Him, yet they are afraid that their deeds would be rejected. A Mu’min combines Eemaan with a sense of apprehension, while a Munaafiq combines sins with complacency.”

The ‘Umrah pilgrims move between these rites hoping to draw closer to Allaah by their various acts of obedience. They yearn from the depths of their hearts for Allaah to be pleased with them, so how could they deliberately do anything to tarnish their ‘Umrah? Allaah has blessed and favoured you with the opportunity to fulfill this act of worship. Therefore, in order to earn Allaah’s forgiveness and remain away from sins, be keen during these rites to keep your words clean, lower your gaze, draw near to Allaah by obeying Him, and conduct yourself in the best way possible. Throughout ‘Umrah, remain mindful of whose call you answered to come on this journey, and make sure you answer it with love and obedience.

9: [Refined Conduct] You are performing this lofty obligation in the purest part of the Earth, and a place where revelation was sent down. It is a sacred place with unparalleled eminence. Here, you hope to attain the greatest possible reward there is.

As a final piece of advice, you should personify the noble manners and refined behaviour taught by Islaam. You should also rid yourself of all traits that go against proper conduct, whether towards Allaah or towards His servants.

The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) said, “When a person who has Eemaan conducts himself in a fine manner, he would certainly reach the rank of someone who constantly fasts and stands in prayer.” He also said, “The people whose Eemaan is most complete are those whose conduct is best.” In addition, Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) was asked about the leading reason for people to be admitted to Jannah, and he replied, “Taqwaa of Allaah, and fine conduct.” For the sake of brevity, these are merely a few faint gleams from the shining guidance and practical example of the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) concerning refined conduct. It is a topic with which the perceptive reader should be well acquainted.

Dear ‘Umrah pilgrims, I implore Allaah to grant you continued success. You must take great care not to harm or upset your Muslim brothers, whether verbally or physically. Such harm includes excessive use of vehicle horns without any need. It also includes crowding and pushing in al-Masjid al-Haraam, walkways, entrances, and throughout the rites of ‘Umrah in general. Allaah said, ((People who harm the men and women who have eemaan, when they are innocent of any wrongdoing, shall bear the burden of falsehood and tremendous sin)) [33:58].

‘Umrah can serve as an institute of learning where admirable qualities are imparted, such as patient perseverance, fortitude, cooperation, selflessness, and refraining from being aggressive or harsh. The best outcome will be attained by those who restrain their tongues, and who extend their hands to do good for others during these virtuous days. These fine manners are summed up in the statement of the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), “The mutual love, mercy, and sympathy that exists between the people of Eemaan make them like one body: if one part suffers, the entire body experiences fever and sleeplessness.”

Dear guests of Allaah, the Most Merciful, we have all embarked on this journey hoping to attain the most immense reward, and to be protected from sins and all detrimental things. It is, therefore, most fitting that we embody these words of advice and make them the focus of our attention, so that we may return to our homelands rewarded and forgiven by the permission of Allaah. The better we understand our objective, the harder we would strive to accomplish it. When our insight is illuminated with the light provided by knowledge, sincerity, and following the Sunnah, we will reach the greatest of heights in terms of obeying Allaah and remaining steadfast.

The Muslim Ummah today, during these times of division, is in dire need of understanding the lessons and appreciating the effects of this tremendous act of worship: unity, Eemaan, cooperation, brotherhood, remaining strong, as well as using sound evidence to overcome deviant ideologies and inclinations.

Dear Muslim Ummah, my dear brothers in Eemaan, your current surroundings are the best witness to our concluding remark. You are enjoying a deeply soulful, faithful environment and atmosphere, being cared for and provided with splendid resources, facilities, and services. This is a manifestation of the care extended by the authorities and government of this nation, especially towards those who come to these sacred locations. The authorities deserve that we sincerely pray for Allaah to grant them guidance, success, endurance, and longevity. We beseech Allaah, the Most Kind and Generous, to place all these efforts in the records of their righteous deeds, and to bless them with guidance and Taqwaa. We further implore Allaah to accept the deeds of the ‘Umrah pilgrims, forgive their sins, and allow them to safely and successfully return to their homelands. Allaah is indeed able to do all of that. In closing, all praise is due to Allaah, by whose blessing all righteous deeds are accomplished. May Allaah send salaah and salaam upon His final Prophet – the best of His Messengers and the most noble of all who performed Hajj and ‘Umrah – as well as upon the Prophet’s family, esteemed Companions, and all who follow their path.