O beloved visitor to the Haramain Shareefain!
My Beloved Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah رحمه الله always advised that this is a journey of love and the invitation is from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . When there is an attachment to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله , all difficulties become pleasurable; so whatever difficulty one experiences, must be tolerated with love. Keep this in mind always.
- Obviously, things will not be the same as home. Over and above everything leave three things at home;
- Your comforts
- Your food
- Your anger
- Remember, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has chosen you over the millions of other Muslims to present yourselves at the blessed Haramain Shareefain; show gratitude at every step and use every moment to earn His pleasure.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه has narrated that Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
اَلْحُجَّاجُ وَالْعُمَّارُ وَفْدُ اللهِ، إِنْ دَعَوْهُ أَجَابَهُمْ، وَإِنْ اسْتَغْفَرُوْهُ غَفَرَ لَهُمْ
“Those who perform Hajj and Umrah are special guests in the court of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . If they they make Dua to him, He accepts and if they seek forgiveness from Him, He forgives them.” (Ibn Majah #2892)
In the sight of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله , that person who leaves his house for Hajj or Umrah is very virtuous. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has promised acceptance of his Duas during this blessed journey. Thus, a person should value this and with special importance make Dua for himself and all Muslims during his journey for Hajj and Umrah.
- Try to remain in Wudhu always. Wudhu is a weapon for the believer and a means of securing the assistance of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله .
- A very important thing is that you work according to a schedule for Ibaadah. You follow the schedule and it must not happen that you make the schedule subservient to your temperament. You will have to ensure discipline, with the intention of maintaining this trait in your life going forward.
- Always be careful with regards to your eyes, ears, tongue and heart. Even if you see others involved in sin; you remain focused on getting your life in order and don’t become consumed in the faults of others.
- Try not to associate too much; your focus can be compromised by this. Maintain a respectful distance and remind yourself of the purpose you have come to the blessed lands.
- Your speech must be soft, your gaze should be safeguarded and your character must be impeccable.
- Time is an immense bounty; it is like liquid capital. it is flowing all the time. It is now your prerogative to utilise the bounty of time effectively or the opportunities can be wasted.
- Recite the third Kalimah excessively in Makkah Mukarramah and Durood Shareef in Madinah Munawwarah.
- Be polite to everyone including the laburers and make it a point of spreading Salaam.
- Try to be generous in whichever way you can and serve your group with diligence.
- When you are purchasing anything from the shopkeepers; ascertain first whether the product is affordable and decently priced; however, don’t negotiate too much because the people of Haramain should be treated with utmost respect and compassion.
- Remember, you are walking on the same land which Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم walked on. Therefore, maintain purity of the heart, tread carefully and don’t ever walk with arrogance and haughtiness. Let humility be the hallmark of your journey (and sustain this trait throughout your life) and savour the environment.
- Our Masha’ikh رحمهم الله have advised that we go about fifteen minutes before the Azaan; in this way one can comfortably read ten paras daily. They have also advised that we set a yardstick of at least ten thousand Durood Shareef every day in Madinah Munawwarah.
- Try to eat of the food of the blessed lands with relish. Be consistent with Duas for verily you have been called to be accepted.
- When visiting Madinah Munawwarah one should make the intention of visiting Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم; He صلى الله عليه وسلم is alive in his blessed Qabr as we believe – so when you go, reflect that you are going to attain the companionship of Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- Engage in Dua excessively for all your needs of Dunya and Akhirah.
O beloved visitor to the Haramain Shareefain! Remember that everything is connected to the heart, so please go and fill your heart with Ma’rifah and Muhabbat. Make a pact from home to emulate the Sunnah for the rest of your life.
Lastly, please don’t forget this servant in your esteemed Duas and if possible, please convey our Salaams at the blessed Rawdhah.
May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله bless you with the barakah of the Haramain and sustain these blessings throughout your life.
في أمان الله
والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
(حضرت حافظ) قاسم عفی عنه
(Advices learnt from the noble treasury of Shafeequl Ummah Moulana Muhammad Farooq Sahib رحمه الله)