An
Abuja-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi, has advised
intending pilgrims to settle their debts and leave their wills behind
before travelling to Saudi Arabia.
Al-yolawi, who is the Chief Imam of Area
10 Mosque, made the call while delivering Jumma’at sermon title:“
Essential tips for Hajj Preparations“ on Friday in Abuja.
“An intending pilgrim should settle his
debts and leave behind him a clear record as well as writing all his
wills or what he intends to pass to his family,’’ he said.
According to the cleric, the need to
leave a will behind is because the journey to Holy land may be the final
journey for a pilgrim.
He explained that hajj was a unique and
extra ordinary journey in the life time of all pilgrims, adding that it
was an invitation from Allah to the most famous acts of worship.
The cleric said that journey to hajj
required high level of patience as it was always accompanied with
difficulties, fatigue, physical and social abnormalities as well as
intolerance from other pilgrims.
“One should not allow Shaitan (devil) to hijack him and spoil his hajj out of ignorance or annoyance,” he said.
Mr. Al-Yolawi said there was need for
pilgrims to fulfill all the hajj requirements and avoid all things that
would nullify his hajj rites with a view to getting all the spiritual
benefits of pilgrimage.
“This emphasises on the importance of piety as first ingredient of one’s
journey to Mecca, which means to maintain good relationship with your
Lord by devoting yourself to obey him.
“The intention behind one’s journey to
hajj must be for the sake of Allah alone as whoever performs any act of
worship in order to please people or gain popularity has spoilt his
action.
“Prophets Muhammad (peace be upon him)
said: learn your rituals from me, for I do not know whether I would be
performing Hajj after this Hajj of mine,” (Muslim Hadith no 1297).
Mr. Al-Yolawi admonished pilgrims to
ensure that their sources of finance and other materials things were
clean and legitimate because “Allah accepts only that which is pure’’.
He also warned pilgrims against taking
photographs for whatever purpose while observing hajj rite, saying that
such action could contradict pilgrims’ sincerity of performing hajj for
the sake of Allah.
Similarly, the cleric said women having
their monthly period should be in a state of Ihram when they pass the
Miqat, adding that they should shower and do Talbiyah like everyone
else.
Mr. Al-Yolawi, therefore, prayed to
Allah to continue to protect Islam and safeguard Nigerian pilgrims as
they take off to Saudi Arabia.
“May the Lord accept their Hajj, prayers, grant their supplications and bring them back to us safely and peacefully,’’ he said.
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