An Islamic cleric has sent a rather stunning warning to all Muslims who are planning to go for the Hajj in Mecca.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
Hajj pilgrims
Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi, the Chief Imam of Area 10 Mosque, Abuja, has asked all Muslims to be alert as they go for the Hajj.
The cleric on Friday, reportedly advised intending pilgrims to
settle their debts and leave their wills behind before traveling to
Saudi Arabia.
According to DailyPost, the Abuja-based Islamic scholar, while
delivering Jumma’at sermon titled ‘Essential tips for Hajj
Preparations’, said the need to leave a will behind was because the
journey to Holy land may be the final journey for some pilgrims.
He explained that it was an invitation from Allah to the most
famous acts of worship, adding that hajj was a unique and extra ordinary
journey in the life time of all pilgrims.
Al-Yolawi said, “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.
“Journey to hajj requires high level of patience, because it
was always accompanied with difficulties ranging from fatigue to
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. 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.”
According to the cleric, 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 done wrong.
While admonishing pilgrims that they should ensure that their
sources of income are clean and legitimate as that would please Allah,
the cleric said, “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).”
On taking photographs, Al-Yolawi warned that it was wrong to take
photographs for whatever purpose while observing hajj rites, saying that
such action could contradict pilgrims’ sincerity of performing hajj for
the sake of Allah.
He, however, prayed to Allah to continue to protect Islam and
safeguard Nigerian pilgrims as they take off to Saudi Arabia, saying, “May the Lord accept their Hajj, prayers, grant their supplications and bring them back to us in peace and safety.”
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
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