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. Link
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