1. Tawhid, Iman and Yaqin

Tawhid, Iman and Yaqin are the first and final lessons of Hajj. From Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik ... to Farewell Tawaf, every act of Hajj is an embodiment of the testimony that our Tawhid is not limited to faith alone; rather, it has crossed the limits of creed and belief and has merged into our actions and behavior.

The faith of Ibrahim a.s., the Imam of Tawhid, the builder of Ka’ba, was like this:

إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْركِينَ

I turn my face in complete devotion to the One Who created the heavens and the earth, and I am not of the polytheists. -Surah An'am: 79

Similarly:

إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ! لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

 Say, surely my prayer, my worship, my life, my death are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds....-Surah Anam: 162-163

Tawhid is fulfilled through the love of Allah and acquiring the quality of Ihsan. These two things are manifested in all activities of Hajj and Umrah.

2. Obedience and submission

The characteristic of a believer is obedience and submission. That is why his other name is Muslim. The rules of Hajj from the beginning to the end are full of this submission. Furthermore, if pilgrims remember the story of Ibrahim and Ismail a.s., the builders of Ka’ba, then they cannot return from Hajj or umrah without learning the lesson of obedience and submission.

وَمَن يَرۡغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفۡسَهُۥۚ وَلَقَدِ ٱصۡطَفَيۡنَٰهُ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ

إِذۡ قَالَ لَهُۥ رَبُّهُۥٓ أَسۡلِمۡۖ قَالَ أَسۡلَمۡتُ لِرَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ

    And who would be averse to the religion of Abraham except one who makes a fool of himself. And We had chosen him in this world, and indeed he, in the Hereafter, will be among the righteous.  When his Lord said to him, "Submit," he said, "I have submitted [in Islām] to the Lord of the worlds." -Surah Baqarah (2): 130-132

This is the description of sacrifice of father and son in the Holy Quran-

رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ! فَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِغُلَامٍ حَلِيمٍ ! فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانْظُرْ مَذَا تَرَى قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ سَتَجِدُنِي إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ ! فَلَمَّا أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُ لِلْجَبِينِ ! وَنَادَيْنَاهُ أَنْ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ ! قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ الرُّؤْيَا إِنَّا كَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ ! إِنَّ هَذَا لَهُوَ الْبَلَاءُ الْمُبِينُ ! وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ ! وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِي الْآَخِرِينَ ! سَلَامٌ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ ! كَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ ! إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

 Ibrahim said, I am going to my Lord. He will guide me. O my Lord! Give me a son who will be one of the righteous people. So I gave him the good news of a forbearing son. Then when the son was fit to walk with Ibrahim, then he said, Son! I dreamed that I was sacrificing you. Now think about it, what is your opinion? The son said, My father! Do what you are oredred. In sha Allah, you will find me one of the patient people. So, (it was a wondrous sight) when they both obeyed and the father made the son lie down. And I called him and said, O Ibrahim! You made dreams come true. Indeed, this is how I reward the righteous people. Surely, it was a clear trial. And we ransomed him with a great sacrifice.  And we introduced this tradition among those who came after him, that (they will say) Peace be upon Abraham, thus do We reward the righteous. Surely, he was among my believing servants. -Surah Saffat (27): 99-111

3. Patience, persistence and sacrifice

It is possible to learn the lesson of patience and steadfastness and self-sacrifice only from the story of Hadhrat Ismail a.s. He said-

يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ سَتَجِدُنِي إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ

My father! do what you are ordered. In sha Allah, you will find me one of the patient people. -Surah Saffat (27): 102

4. Be content and satisfied with Allah's judgment

Being satisfied with any decision of Allah is one of the major branches of Tawhid. The person, Who knows Allah, who loves Allah and who has the feeling that Allah also loves him, must have the quality of 'Rida Bil qadaa' (being satisfied with Allah's decision)!

But the reality is that many weak believers like me are deprived of this wealth. If they remember the story of Ibrahim a.s., Ismail a.s. and Hajira R., and the story of our Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, in Makkah and Madinah, then the quality of 'Rida Bilqada' must be increased.

5. Guidance and blessings of Baitullah

Allah Ta'ala said:

إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِلْعَالَمِينَ ! فِيهِ آَيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمَنْ دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آَمِنًا وَلِلَّهِ عَلى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا وَمَنْ ك َفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ

 Surely, the first house built for people (for worship) are that which is in Makkah, (and) from the time of its building, it is blessed and a way of guidance for the people of the whole world. -Surah Al Imran (3) : 96-97)

If someone performs Hajj but could not bring the guidance and blessings of Ka’ba, then how is his Hajj? The main guidance of ka’ba is tawhid. And its main blessing is probably the preservation of peace and trust.

Islam is founded upon the principles of tawhid and unity, and a fundamental teaching of faith (Iman) is to uphold peace and maintain trust. If an individual, upon whom Allah has bestowed the opportunity to see the centre of tawhid and unity during the entire Hajj pilgrimage, particularly on the day of Arafah at the vast plain of Arafa, where believers from diverse ethnicities, colors, languages, lands, opinions, and paths come together adorned in same attire, reciting in a common language, 'Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik...'—if such a person departs without learning the profound lessons of tawhid, unity, safety and trustworthiness, then he has undoubtedly deprived himself.

6. Respect to the Symbols of Islam (sh’aair)

In Surah Hajj, Allah described the rules and regulations of Hajj and said:

ذَلِكَ وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ حُرُمَاتِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ

 Remember these things. And whoever preserves the dignity of the things that Allah has given dignity to, this deed is best for him before his Lord. - Surah Hajj (22): 30

In another verse, Allah says,

ذَلِكَ وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِنْ تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ

Remember these things. And if one shows respect to the symbols of Allah, it is derived from inner piety.-Hajj: 32

Sha'air or the symbols of Allah are those words, actions,  places, times which Allah has set for Islam and Muslims as symbols.  These are basically signs of Allah's power and mercy. They are symbols of Islam.

Islam has many symbols. Among them, four are very important. They are namely_

 a. Kalamullah ( The Holy Quran)

b. Baitullah and its related matters (such as Haram Sharif, Safa and Marwa, Mina and Muzdalifah, Arafa etc.)

 c. The prophet Sallahu alaihw wa sallam.

d. All worships of Allah Ta'ala. Especially Kalima, Salat, Zakat, Fasting, Hajj etc.

Showing respect to Sha'air (symbols of Islam) is a part of Iman. Showing the slightest disrespect to any Shi'ar of Islam is a part of kufr. The person whom Allah Ta'ala gave Tawfiq to visit Sha'air- Baitullah, the Prophet's Mosque, Rawadtul Jannah, the grave of the prophet, his respect to Sha'air should increase as compared to other Muslims. His faith should be so firm that he can not tolerate the slightest insult to Islam, its teachings, or any revered individual or significant aspect associated with the religeon.

 When a prominent government official undertakes Hajj and Umrah, it is reasonable to anticipate that their faith would reach such a profound level that they would not tolerate any individual within their own country who disrespects the teachings of Islam.

7. Purity and cleanliness

External and internal purity and cleanliness and discipline are among the basic teachings of Islam.

Allah says to the builders of Ka’ba-

وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَنْ طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ

 And I say to Ibrahim and Ismail that both of you sanctify my house for those who will perform Tawaf (here), sit in Itikaf and perform Ruku and Sijdah.-Surah Baqarah (2): 125

وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَاهِيمَ مَكَانَ الْبَيْتِ أَنْ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِي شَيْئًا وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِيَ لِلتَّائفِينَ وَالْقَائِمِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ

And remember the time when We informed Ibrahim of the location of the House (i.e. the K’aba). (And ordered him) Do not associate anyone with me and keep my house sacred for those who perform Tawaf (here), stand for worship and bow and prostrate themselves. -Surah Hajj (22): 26

When the pilgrims hear that Allah ordered the builders of Ka’ba to purify it, then, of course, they will be interested in cleanliness. So, can the matter of cleanliness be neglected in a mosque where a Muslim has performed Hajj, or a member of the management committee of the mosque has performed Hajj? Can the toilet of the mosque be dirty?! Hence, can a Muslim or a member of the Mosque management committee, who has performed Hajj, neglect the issue of cleanliness of his own mosque?

The greatest sanctity is to have a lawful livelihood

It is also important to remember that the greatest purity after faith is to have lawful livelihood i.e. choosing halal and avoiding haram in earning. If your livelihood is not halal, then you cannot be pure by Udu and Ghusl. The only way to obtain purity is to repent sincerely and adopt halal and give up haram. At the same time, you must return the rights of others to their owners. Dua and worship will not be accepted until the earnings are purified. However, he will not stop worshiping in this situation. Because, it will increase the sin; instead, he will continue all efforts to purify his earnings so that his worship will be accepted.

An important matter related to the visit of kaba is that the visitors must have encouragement to prefer Halal to Haram in terms of earning, because, the mushriks of Makkah had promised during the construction of Baitullah that no haram money would be used in its construction. And due to lack of money, it was not possible for them to build the part of Hatim. - Subulul Huda War Rashad 2/170

Despite being polytheists, they had the firm belief that-

إِنَّ اللهَ طَيِّبٌ لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا طَيِّبًا

Allah is holy; and he accepts only holy things.

8. Obedience to parents

The children, who have performed Hajj, should learn the lesson of obedience to parents from the example of Hadrat Ismail a.s..

9. Obedience to the husband

Every wife should learn the lesson of obedience to the husband from the example of Hajira r.a. Moreover, the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said:

أُنْظُرِيْ أَيْنَ أَنْتِ مِنْهُ فَإِنَّهُ جَنَّتُكِ أَوْ نَارُكِ

 Oh women, you should think, where is your place near your husband. He is your heaven or hell.

And husbands should also make themselves examples of this hadith-

خَيْرُكُمْ خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِهِ, وَأَنَا خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِهِ

The best among you is the one who is best to his wife. I am the best to my wives.

10. Nurture the Iman of your children

All parents should learn this lesson from the life of Ibrahim a.s. and Hajira r.a. Those who are concerned about the future of their children should know that the real future is the Hereafter. The person who destroys the Hereafter of his children or does not care about arranging their Hereafter, he did not fulfill any rights and responsibilities to his children. He is the oppressor and the child is the oppressed. How can a parent who has performed Hajj do this injustice?!

Bring these intentions too

a. I will protect my eyes from sins.  As Allah Ta'ala has given tawfiq to see Ka’ba and masjid of the Messenger with these eyes, I will not abuse them.

b. Allah gave us two Harams (Haram e Makki and Haram e Madani). He blessed us with tawfiq to be present in both Harams. I have been honored through both harams. So, in the future, I will not dishonor myself with evil deeds and sins, Inshallah.

c. It is narrated in the Hadith-

مَنْ حَجَّ فَلَمْ يَرْفُثْ وَلَمْ يَفْسُقْ رَجَعَ كَيَوْمٍ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ

One who performs Hajj and abstains from all immorality and sins becomes innocent like a new born baby.

So, I hope, Allah has accepted my Hajj and He has made me as innocent as a newborn baby. So, in sha Allah, I will protect this innocence. God forbid, if a sin is committed, I will be purified again through immediate repentance and tawbah.

d. In sha Allah, I will always keep myself connected with the people of Ka’ba. I will not forget the guidance and blessings of Ka’ba and the teachings and ideals of the people of Kaaba.

e. I will wholeheartedly obey all the special and important advice that the Messenger of Allah gave in his historical sermon during his Farewell Hajj. I will keep in mind that this is the farewell advice of my Prophet (peace be upon him) that he gave during his Hajj. Allah Ta’ala has also given me the tawfiq to perform Hajj.

f. I have to remember that all the virtues and benefits of Hajj are connected with Mabrur Hajj. Only Allah knows whether my Hajj is mabrur or not. But it has some external signs. That is, after Hajj, the state of Iman will improve.

This  means,  you will be careful about Halal and Haram in your everyday life. You will refrain from haram earnings. You will embrace honesty and trustworthiness as your symbol.  You will totally abstain from treachery, cheating, fraud, gambling, usury, bribery, illegal transactions and all wrongdoing. You will behave well with people. The real progress of faith lies in refraining from haram.

G. When Allah Ta'ala has given tawfiq to see His house, In sha Allah, I will preserve the dignity of this blessing. By the grace of Allah, I will continue to thank Him until I enter Paradise. May Allah grant us tawfiq. amin

What will you bring for relatives and friends?

The only things you will bring are:

a. You will bring righteous and sacred life so that your friends and relatives may wish to perform Hajj after seeing you and adopt you as a role model in their lives.

b) You will bring water of Zamzam. This is the symbol of Kawsar on the earth. Its history is full of Iman and mujahada. Its benefits and virtues are well-known.

c) You will bring dates of Madina. If you want to bring more than this, you can bring religious books or prayer mats made in Hijaz, which does not contain any pictures or images.

Apart from these, nothing else can be the gift of Haramain Sharifain, because, most of the goods in different markets in Saudi Arabia are not made in Saudi. So how can it be the gift of Haramain? Moreover, the control of trade and commerce in Saudi Arabia, especially during the Hajj-Umrah season, is in the hands of people who are not ours, but others. Their purpose is to plunder the foreigners. Therefore, it is wise not to fall prey to their deception.

Don't bring these things

Remember, the things that entered Hijaz through the enemies of Islam do not belong to Hijaz or Haramain. Do not accept these things. Do not even gaze upon them, let alone considering bringing them along with you.

a. Do not bring the culture and customs of Jews, Christians, infidels and polytheists.  Shamelessness, immodesty, nudity and western cultures and dresses should be avoided at all times. These are not Haramain's teachings. Likewise, all other sinful acts are sins, wherever they occur. And in the area of Haramain, they become more dangerous.

Television is like a box of snakes—no matter wherever it is placed. Shaving the beard is a sin, no matter whoever does it. In short, all sins, big or small, are sins. No matter, whoever does it, wherever it is done.

Alas, Khadimul Haramain and their associates have lost their religious esteem. They became slaves of the West. This is why, they have no trouble tolerating the tide of lewd and shameless acts within the area of Haramain.

b. In the same way, as I have already written in the pages of Alkawsar, Ghair-Muqallidiyat, denying Fiqhi Madhhab, recklessly giving opinions on religious matters cannot be the teachings of Haramain. These things entered Hijaz from India subcontinent and other countries. Following Fiqh is the Mirath of Salaf. This is the Masnoon method of following hadith. Do not bring with you the fitna of gaire-muqallidiyyat as a gift from Arabia.

c. If you see any weakness from some Arab, do not make a bad idea about all the Arabs in general. Do not make your idea negative about the Arab religious scholars.

d. In Haramain, you may see some differences in the method of performing Salah. Remember that the main basis of this difference is Sunnah. Both their method and the method of performing Salah in our country are proven by Sunnah and Hadith. Therefore, seeing a different method there, do not distrust the scholars of your country. Do not think that the Ulama of your country did not teach you the correct method of prayer. This is not the case. Rather, what they taught you is also proven by authentic hadith. So, you can safely continue to act accordingly.

May Allah Ta'ala protect our Haramain and return Baitul Muqaddas to the hands of Muslims and sanctify us through the sanctity of Haramain and Baitul Muqaddas. Amin.

Abridged translation: Enam Hasan Junaid