Hajj, being the fifth pillar of Islam, needs to be performed by every Muslim once in their lifetime so that they may preserve their religion. But why is Hajj such a big deal for Muslims to perform, and why is it referred to as the Journey of a Lifetime? In this section Hajjplans.com will look deeply into both the virtues and conditions of performing such an important pillar of Islam.

The Virtues

The virtues of Hajj are many and those who have performed Hajj are indeed aware of the spiritual contentment and uplifting experience such an act plants in the hearts of mankind; forever. The Prophet Muhammad (S) has spoken endlessly on the virtues of Hajj throughout his lifetime. We at Hajjplans.com have broken down a few of the mentioned virtues from the Prophet Muhammad (S) below along with the proper references from the Hadeeth.

1. The act of Hajj is amongst the best deeds one can perform when pleasing Allah (swt). This is known from the saying of the Prophet (S) when his companions asked him about the absolute best deed in the eyes of Allah. The Prophet replied "Belief in Allah and His Messenger." Then he was asked: "what else?" He said, "striving and struggling for the sake of Allah" Then he was asked: "what else?" He said, "a Hajj, which is free from vice - accepted and complete." [Agreed upon, Bukhari & Muslim]
2. The ones who perform Hajj, in its proper and complete form, has all their past sins forgiven from Allah and they return to their homes as a newborn comes into this world; sinless. The Prophet Muhammad (S) said "Whoever performs Hajj to this house - Ka'bah- and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing, he, or she, will come out as the day he, or she, was born - pure and free from sins." [Agreed upon, Bukhari & Muslim]
3. The reward for completing a Hajj and having it accepted is nothing less than Paradise itself. The Prophet Muhammad (S) said "An 'Umrah is a means of expiation of sins committed between it and the next and a Mabroor Hajj - complete and accepted - has no reward for it but Jannah." [Agreed upon, Bukhari & Muslim]
4. When performing Hajj, we are known as the guests of Allah (swt) and will be fully taken care of by Him (swt). The Prophet Muhammad (S) said "The people performing Hajj or 'Umrah are the guests of Allah. If they ask Him something He answers them and if they ask him forgiveness He forgives them." [Related by an-Nassaa'i, ibn Maajah, ibn Hibbaan and ibn Khuzaymah]
5. One who sets forth and leaves for Hajj is in the state of a pilgrim till he/she reaches back home, and therefore remains a guest of Allah (swt) throughout the entire journey until he/she returns home. The Prophet Muhammad (S) said "When you meet anyone who has performed Hajj, greet him, shake hands with him, and beseech him to pray for the forgiveness of your sins before he reaches his home, for he is in the state that decision of forgiveness has been taken for him (and it is confidently expected that his supplication will be accepted)." [Musnad Ahmed]

These are just some of the virtues mentioned about Hajj. Indeed the virtues of Hajj are priceless to any Muslim and it is therefore referred to as the Journey of a Lifetime.

Next Section: The Conditions of Hajj...