The Excellence of Hajj and ‘Umrah, and the Reward Thereof

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘Perform ‘Umrah and Hajj, your bodies will become healthy, your sustenance increase and you will have sufficient for the expenses of your families.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘One who performs Hajj is forgiven, paradise is necessary, he resumes his deeds and he is safe and sound as well as his family and properties.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘My father would say, “One who decides to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah free of al-Kibr (arrogance) returns, in matters of sins, as the day his mother gave birth to him.’” He (the Imam) then read this, ‘On one who hastens during the two days, there is no sin, and on one who delays, there is no sin.’ (2:199) I (the narrator) then asked, ‘What is al-Kibr?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “The greatest al-Kibr is ghamd and Safah of the creatures.’” I then asked, ‘What is ghamd and safah of creatures?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is ignoring the truth, and falsifying the people of truth. Whoever does this has quarreled with Allah about His gown.’”

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Allah has undertaken the responsibility toward those who perform Hajj or ‘Umrah to join them with their families if He decides to keep them living, or admit them in paradise if He decides to cause them to die.’”

from his ancestors: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘The reward for performing Hajj is paradise and ‘Umrah is expiation for all sins.”

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have settled my soul upon performing Hajj every year by myself or along with a man from my family with my expenses. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Is the decision you have made a firm one?’ I replied, ‘Yes, it is a firm decision.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If you have done so, I give you the glad news of enjoying a great wealth.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Pilgrims (al-Hujjaj) are of three categories. Those in one group are set free from hellfire, the other group are made free of sins like their freedom from sin on the day their mother gave birth to them, and the third group consists of those who receive protection for their families and properties and this is the minimum benefit with which pilgrims return home.”’

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), speaking of Hajj, say, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “It (Hajj) is one of the two kinds of Jihad (striving for a cause). This is the Jihad for the weak ones and we are the weak ones. However, no other thing is better than Hajj except salat (prayer). In Hajj nowadays is salat (prayer) and there was no salat (prayer) in Hajj before you. Do not ignore Hajj when you are able to perform it. Consider how your hairs become dusty during performing Hajj and your skin rough and you abstain from looking at women. We are here and near. We have water but still arrive (in Makkah) for Hajj with a great deal of difficulty. The case of those who live far away from Makkah is much more difficult. All kings and subjects arrive (in Makkah) for Hajj after facing a great deal of difficulties, such as changes in their diet, water, air and sun, which they cannot avoid. This is in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘They carry your loads to a town that you could only do so with causing a great deal of hardships to souls. Your Lord is compassionate and kind.’” (16:7)

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Chronic poverty and fever cannot come with al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah.’””

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, ‘When a pilgrim prepares his supplies for Hajj, for every step that he walks for the preparation, Allah, the Most Majestic and Most Glorious, writes down for him ten good deeds, deletes ten sins and raises for him ten degrees until his preparation is complete, whenever it happens. When his animal for transportation moves, for every step lifted up or placed on the ground, Allah, the Most Majestic and Most Glorious, writes down for him the same number of good deeds until all of the acts of Hajj are complete, at which point Allah forgives his sins. During the months of Dhu al-Hijjah, al-Muharram, Safar, Rabi’ al-Awwal, which are four months, good deeds are written for him. No evil deed is written against him until he commits one (a major sin). After these four months pass, he is mixed with people.’”

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘For what reason is no sin written against a pilgrim for four months?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, granted permission to the pagans in al-Haram area for four months as He has said, ‘You can move in the land for four months.’ (9:2) Thereafter He has said, that He forgives sins of pilgrims to the House for four months.’”

foiiowing: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a pilgrim continues to live with the light of al-Hajj until he commits sins again and again.’”

“I heard abu Ja’far ibn Muhammad (a.s.), say, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Perform al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah consecutively; they remove poverty and sins just as al-Kir (a bellowing kiln) removes impurities from iron.’””

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah are two market places (that deal with the merchandise) of the next life. Those who attach themselves to these two are part of the undertaking of Allah. He returns them to their families if He decides to keep them living, or admits them in paradise if He decides to cause them to die.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that people who perform al-Hajj or al-‘Umrah are delegates before Allah. If they ask Him for help, He grants their wishes; if they pray, He answers their prayers; if they intercede on behalf of someone, their intercession is honored; if they remain silent, He initiates and He compensates them for every dirham a million dirham.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one dirham that you spend for Hajj is better than twenty thousand dirham which you spent for a truth (a right).”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked, ‘What prevents you from performing Hajj every year?’ I replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause; my dependents prevent me from performing Hajj.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If you die who will be there for your dependents? You should feed your dependents vinegar and oil and perform Hajj with them every year.’”

'Ali ibn al-Hussein (peace be upon them) used to say: 'Be prompt in greeting the pilgrims and the umrah performers, and shake hands with them before sins mix with them.'

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the pilgrim’s performing al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah is part of the undertaking of Allah. If he dies when on his way, Allah forgives his sins. If he dies in the state of Ihram, Allah raises him saying Talbiyah (here I am O Lord, to obey Your command). If he dies in one of the two sacred places, Allah raises him well protected. If he dies on his way back home, Allah forgives all of his sins.”

“I once heard al-Rida (a.s.), say, ‘No one has stood in those hills without their prayers answered. The believing people’s prayers are answered in the matters of their next life, and the unbeliever’s prayers are answered in their worldly matters.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When people take their places in Mina, an announcer announces, “O Mina, your people have come, so expand your open fields to fill up your ponds.” And another announcer announces, ‘Had you known who your host is, you would become certain of al- Khalaf (reward) after forgiveness.’”

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘The words of Allah, ‘’Flee to Allah,’ I am the one who clearly warns you about Him’ (51:50), means, perform Hajj for Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when people take their places in Mina, an announcer announces, ‘Had you known in whose neighborhood you have disembarked, you would become certain of receiving rewards after forgiveness.’”

“I would perform Hajj every year. One year in which people suffered severe hardships, my people told me to consider my performing Hajj that year; that I should instead of spending for Hajj, give it in charity. It can be more beneficial than performing Hajj. I then asked them, ‘Do you think that is right?’ They replied, ‘Yes, that is true.’ That year I gave my expenses for Hajj in charity and stayed home. I saw a dream during the night on the ninth of Dhu al-Hajjah and said, ‘By Allah I will not do what I have done and I will not neglect performing Hajj.’ Next year I went to performing Hajj and when I arrived in Mina I saw abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), in whose presence people had gathered. I went near him and asked him, “Please tell me about a man.” I told him of my story. Then I asked, ‘Which one is better. Performing Hajj or charity?”” He (the Imam) said, ‘Charity is very good - three times.’ I then said, ‘That is true but which one is better?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘What prevents one of you to do both?’ I replied, ‘His belongings are not sufficient for both.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If he wants to spend ten for Hajj, he can spend five out of this for Hajj and give the other five as charity or reduce some of his expenses for Hajj and spend what he has cut down in charity for which he earns rewards.’ I then asked, ‘Will it do it if he did so?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Where can he have something like Hajj’ - he said it three times - ‘one comes out of his house and gives in charity a part of it until he arrives in the Sacred Masjid, performs an obligatory Tawaf, then goes to the station of Ibrahim to say two Rak‘at salat (prayer). An angel comes and stands on his left side. When he completes salat (prayer) the angel taps on his shoulder saying, “O so and so, your sins of the past are forgiven and for the future you can work assiduously.’””

“A man once said to Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), ‘You have given up Jihad because it is harsh, but you have attached yourself to Hajj because it is comfortable.’ He (the Imam) who was leaning sat up straight and said, ‘Fie upon you. Have you not heard what the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said during his farewell pilgrimage during his stay in ‘Arafat, and it was about sunset. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘O Bilal, ask people to remain silent.’ When people became silent the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Your Lord has granted you favors on this day. He has granted forgiveness to the individuals of good deeds, and has made the ones of good deed to intercede for the ones of evil deeds. You can leave now with your sins forgiven.’ Narrators other than abu Hamzah al-Thumaliy have mentioned that the Imam additionally said, ‘Except those who are of individuals of al-Tabi‘at (acts that require investigation).’ Allah is just. He brings to justice the stronger ones who wrong the weaker ones. On the night of al-Jam‘ he continued quietly speaking to his Lord and asked Him for forgiveness for the individuals of al-Tabi‘at. When he stayed in Jam‘ he said to Bilal. ‘You should ask people to remain silent.’ When people became silent he (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘Your Lord has granted you favors on this day. He has forgiven the individuals of good deeds among you. He has made the individuals of good deeds among you to intercede on behalf of the individuals of evil deeds. You now may leave with your sins forgiven and He has made an undertaking in favor of the individuals of al- Tabi‘at (people liable for the rights of others) to be happy with them.’”

“He (the Imam) has said, that when the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, left an Arab came to him in al- Abtah and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I wanted to perform Hajj but something prevented me. I am a wealthy person. Command me to do something with my wealth that benefits me like the benefit of performing Hajj. The Messenger of Allah then looked to abu Qubays hill and said, “Even if you spend an amount of gold equal to the weight of abu Qubays hill for the cause of Allah, you will not gain the benefit of Hajj.’”

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘One who is buried in al-Haram is immune from the great terrifying event.’ I (the narrator) asked him, ’Does it apply to both people of good and evil deeds?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’Yes, it applies to both kinds of people.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the least with which a pilgrim, whose Hajj is not accepted, returns is safety of his family and property at home.” I (the narrator) then asked, ‘What kind of thing is this safety?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’Nothing will happen to them except things that may happen during his presence in his family and belongings.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ’ Al-Hajj is Jihad (hard work for the cause of Allah) of the weak people.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then placed his hand on his chest and said, ‘We are the weak people, (we) are weak.’”

I said to Abu Abdillah al-Sadiq (as), "I go for Hajj one year, and my partner goes the next year." He (Abu Abdullah) asked, "What prevents you from performing Hajj, O Ibrahim?" I replied, "I am not free to do so, may I be your ransom, so I give 500 in charity instead." He said, "Hajj is better." I said, "What if I give 1,000?" He said, "Hajj is better." I said, "1,500?" He said, "Hajj is better." I said, "2,000?" He said, "Does your 2,000 include circumambulation of the Ka'bah?" I said, "No." He asked, "Does it include the Sa'y between Safa and Marwah?" I said, "No." He asked, "Does it include standing at Arafat?" I said, "No." He asked, "Does it include stoning the pillars?" I said, "No." He asked, "Does it include the rituals of Hajj?" I said, "No." He said, "Then Hajj is better."

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ibrahim ibn Maymun told him that he was once sitting in the meeting of abu Hanifah. A man came and asked him (abu Hanifah), ‘What do you think of a man who has performed Hajjahta al-Islam? Is al-Hajj better or setting free of a slave?’ He (abu Hanifah) replied, ‘No, setting free a slave is better.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘He (abu Hanifah) by Allah, has spoken a lie and has committed a sin. One Hajj is better than setting free of a slave’ . . .he counted up to ten slaves, then he said, ‘Fie upon him; in what kind of setting free of slaves is Tawaf around the House, Sa‘y between al-Safa’ and al-Marwah, staying in ‘Arafat, shaving one’s head and throwing pebbles on al-Jamarat? Had this been true, people would cancel performing al-Hajj altogether; and were they to do it, the Imam would force them to perform al-Hajj whether they liked or disliked it; this House is established for al-Hajj.’”

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Al-Hajj is better than setting free of seventy slaves/ I then asked, ‘Is there anything equal to al-Hajj?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘No other thing is equal to al- Hajj. Spending one dirham for al-Hajj is better than spending two million dirhams for the cause of Allah, which is other than al-Hajj. He (the Imam) then said, ‘I left for al-Hajj and there were seventy camels and ten or so horses. I had purchased slaves to increase the number. Eating vinegar with oil had made me upset. Hamidah had ordered to roast a chicken that made me feel better.”’

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One Hajj is better than spending a whole house full of gold in charity until it is finished.’”

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘I swear by the Lord of this House that one constantly visiting this House does not suffer from fever and poverty.’”

“I once said to al-Rida (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. My father has narrated to me from your ancestors, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, that it was said to one of them, ‘In our country there is a station for travelers called Qazvin and enemies called al-Daylam. Is it obligatory to fight and arm (ourselves)?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘You must not ignore this House and must not miss performing Hajj.’ He (the narrator) has said that the question was repeated three times. Each time he (the Imam) said, ‘You must not ignore this House and must not miss performing Hajj.’ After the last time he (the Imam) said, ‘Why should one of you not love to spend on his family at home waiting for the rise of one from us with Divine Authority? If he finds him, it is as if he has joined the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, in the battle of Badr. If he does not find, him it will be as if he is standing in the tent of al-Qa’im from us like this and this.’ He placed his two fingers side by side. Abu al- Hassan (a.s.), then said, ‘He has spoken the truth in what he has narrated.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah are market places for the next life in which the workers are neighbors of Allah. If they find what they hope, Allah grants them forgiveness, but if the appointed time for his death did not give him a chance, the reward for him remains with Allah.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Perform al-Hajj repeatedly and al-‘Umrah assiduously (or after every nine days). This expels the burden of poverty and death in wickedness.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once, two men came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, one from the people of al- Ansar and the other one from Thaqif. The man from al-Thaqif said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I need help.’ The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said, ‘Your brother (in faith) from the people of al- Ansar had come before you.’ He then said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I am about to leave for a journey and I am in a hurry.’ The man from the people of al- Ansar said, ‘I allow him to present his case before me.’ The Messenger of Allah then said, ‘If you like, I can inform you what you need, or if you like, you can ask what you need.’ He then said, ‘I’d like you to inform me, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said, ‘You have come to ask me about salat (prayer), Wudu’ and al-Sajdah (prostration).’ The man said, ‘Yes, by the One who has sent you in all truth.’ The Messenger of Allah then said, ‘Take a Wudu’, properly, fill your palms with your knee caps, place your forehead on the soil and perform your salat (prayer) as it is the last farewell salat (prayer).’ The man from al- Ansar then said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, I need help.’ The Messenger of Allah then said, ‘If you like I can inform you what you need or if you like you can ask what you need.’ He then said, ‘I like you to inform me O Messenger of Allah.’ The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said, ‘You have come to ask me about al-Hajj, Tawaf around the House, al-Sa‘y between al-Safa’ and al-Marwah, throwing pebbles on al-Jamar, shaving the head and about the day of ‘Arafah.’ “The man said, ‘Yes, by the One who has sent you in all truth, it is true.’ The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, then said, ‘For every step that your camel will move (to al-Hajj), Allah writes one good deed for you. Every time you place your foot on the ground, Allah deletes one of your sins. For Tawaf you perform around the House and Sa‘y between al-Safa’ and al-Marwah, your condition will change in regard to sins into that when your mother gave birth to you. Throwing pebbles on al-Jamar is of providing supplies for the next life. For shaving your head, there will be light for you on the Day of Judgment for each hair. For the day of ‘Arafah Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, will express pride before the angels. If you attend that day, even if your sins are equal to the grains of sands, the drops of rain from the sky and the number of the days of the world, they will all scatter away from you on that day.’” NOTE:In another Hadith it is said, ‘For every step that he moves forward, one good deed is written for him, one bad deed is deleted and by one degree his position is raised.’

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘All of the people who stay in those hills, good or evil, Allah answers them all. People of good deed receive answers for the worldly and the hereafter and the people of evil deeds receive answer to their worldly matters.’”

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Al-H’ajj (people who perform al-Hajj) are of three kinds. The one with the best share is one all of whose sins, those of the past and those to come are forgiven, and Allah protects him against the torments in the grave. Next to this is one whose sins of the past are forgiven but he begins his good deeds for the rest of his life. After these two is one who receives safety for his own self, family and property.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that al-H’ajj (people performing al-Hajj) are of three kinds. One group is set free from hellfire, one group comes out of their sin to become free of sins like the day they were just born, and one group receives protection for themselves, their family and property, and this is the least benefit with which al-H’ajj (one performing al-Hajj) returns home.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that no other journey affects one’s flesh, blood, skin and hair more than the journey to Makkah. No one reaches it (the journey) without facing hardships.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when people take their places in Mina, an announcer from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, announces, ‘If you wish that I will be happy with you, I have become happy with you.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When people take their places in Mina, an announcer announces, “Had you known in whose courtyard have you disembarked, you would have become certain of receiving compensation after having received forgiveness.’””

“During one of the evenings when we were in Mina, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), encouraging and urging me to perform al-Hajj, said, ‘O Sa‘id, there is a servant of Allah to whom Allah has granted sustenance from His wealth. He takes from such sustenance the expenditures for himself and his family and then takes them on a journey, exposing them to hot sun until they attend the evening of ‘Arafah to attend the staying place and rest there. Do you not think that there a vacancy may exist for which there is no one to attend?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, that can happen.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘This servant of Allah brings them exposed to the hot sun to fill up that vacancy. Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, who has no partners, then says, ‘My servant whom I had granted sustenance out of My wealth, has taken that sustenance for his expenditures. He has exposed his own self and family to the hot sun to come and fill the vacancy for the sake of seeking forgiveness from Me. I forgive his sins, suffice him in whatever is important to him, and grant him sustenance.’ Sa‘id has said, ‘He (the Imam) mentioned such things up to ten in number.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if one dies on the way to or from Makkah, he receives immunity against the terror of the Day of Judgment.”

“I once was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man called abu al-Ward came and said to ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘May Allah be kind to you. I wish you to allow yourself to rest by the comfort of al-Mahmil (the carriage carried on camel backs).’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘O abu al-Ward, I love to be present for the benefits that Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, has spoken of, “...so they can be present for the benefits which are there for them.” (22:28) Whoever is present for such benefits, Allah grants them such benefits. As far as you are concerned, it is a returning home with sins forgiven and what others receive is safety for their persons and properties.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who normally attends al-Hajj every year, then he lags behind and does not go for al-Hajj one year, the angels on land say to those in the mountains, ‘We miss hearing the voice of so and so.’ They then say, ‘Allow us to search for him.’ They search but do not find him and they say, “O Allah, if debts have kept him behind, pay them off for him; if illness has kept him from performing, grant him good health; if it is poverty, grant him wealth; if it is prison, grant him freedom; if a preoccupation, please complete it for him.’” People pray for themselves; they (angels) pray for those who have remained behind.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘O people who have not performed al-Hajj, spread good news about al-H’ajj (people performing al-Hajj), shake hands with them, consider them great people; it is necessary for you to share with them in matters of the reward.”