Practical Hajj Guide

Patience and Anticipation

Dear Pilgrim, recall the saying of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) concerning Hajj and ‘Umrah that they are: “a jihad with no fighting” (Ahmad).

Remember that Hajj is a training ground for good character, a time to refine one’s soul and raise it to the highest levels and it is a practical test of one’s patience and character.

Perhaps you will become ill or fatigued while moving between the stations (i.e. Mina, Muzdalifah, ‘Arafah) or you may lose something valuable or hear some shocking news. You may show kindness and receive cruelty in response, you may be overcome with sadness and anxiety or you may lose your money and belongings (either due to your negligence or some other reason). Therefore, it is necessary to realize that this is all a test and a trial from Allaah to test your patience, steadfastness and truthfulness or it may be due to some other wisdom which Allaah willed.

Thus, I advise with the following:

1. Patience, patience, patience!!! And repeat often the words: Qaddara Allaahu wa maa shaa a Fa‘ala (Allah decrees, and what He wills He does). Beware of saying: If only I did this, such and such would have happened. Rather, say “Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji ‘oon” (Indeed we belong to Allaah, and indeed to Him we will return). Recall the words of Allaah:

(which means)

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allaah, and indeed to Him we will return." Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided. (2:155-157)

2. Know that everything has a reality, and no slave reaches the reality of faith until such time he realizes that whatever has befallen him was not to pass him by and whatever passed by him was not meant to befall him. (hadeeth reported by Ahmad)

3. Have a good opinion of Allaah (Exalted is He) and know that He will compensate you with a great deal of good. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) says, as in the hadeeth Qudsi, that Allaah says: “I am just as my slave thinks I am, (i.e., I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him), so let him think whatever he wants” (al-Bukhaari and Muslim). He also says: "Indeed, amazing are the affairs of a believer! They are all for his benefit; If he is granted ease of living he is thankful; and this is best for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres; and this is best or him. And that is only the case of the believer" (Muslim)