knowingly or otherwise, as some of our politicians unwisely do that nowadays!

PLEASE READ THE, spiritual, enlightened and KIND EXPLANATION BY IMAM “JUNAID AL BAGHDADI,” BELOW

It is said that the one who performs Hajj, or the ritual pilgrimage, comes back free of sins. But are mere actions enough? This story illustrates  WHAT MAKES A TRUE HAJJ.

1- A man, came to visit Imam Junaid al-Bagdadi.

Junaid asked him: “Where are you coming from?”

“Sir, I have returned after performing Hajj of the House of Allah,” was the reply.

“So, have you actually performed Hajj?”

“Yes, Sir, I have performed Hajj “, said the man.

“Did you pledge that you would give up sins when you left your home for Hajj?” asked Junaid.

“No, Sir, I never thought of that”, said the man.( He could lie like most somalis and say, Yes, Sir but that man didn’t)

“Then, in fact, you did not even step out for Hajj.

2-While you were on the sacred journey and making halts at places during the nights, did you ever think of attaining nearness to Allah?”

“Sir, I had no such idea.”

“Then you did not at all travel to the Ka’bah, nor did you ever visit it.

3-When you put on the Ihram garments, and discarded your ordinary dress, did you make up your mind to abandon your evil ways and attitudes in life as well ?”

“No, Sir, I had no idea of that.”

“Then, you did not even don the Ihram garments!” said Junaid ruefully.

4-Then he asked; “When you stood in the Plain of Arafat and were imploring Allah Almighty, did you have the feeling that you were standing in Divine Presence and having a vision of Him?”

“No, Sir, I had no such experience.

5-“Well, when you came to Muzdalifah, did you promise that you would give up vain desires of the flesh?”

“Sir, I paid no heed to this.”

“You did not then come to Muzdalifah at all.”

6-Then he asked: “Tell me, did you happen to catch glimpses of Divine Beauty when you moved around the House of Allah?”

“No, Sir, I caught no such glimpses.”

“Then, you did not move around the Ka’bah at all.”

7-Then he said: “When you made Sa’i (running) between the Safa and the Marwa, did you realize the wisdom, significance and objective of your effort?”

“Sir, I was not at all c,onscious of this.”

“Then you did not make any Sa’i!

8-Then he asked: “When you slaughtered an animal at the place of sacrifice, did you sacrifice your selfish desires as well in the way of Allah?”

“Sir, I failed to give any attention to that!”

“Then, in fact you offered no sacrifice what so ever.”

9-“Then when you cast stones at the Jamarahs, did you make a resolve to GET RID OF YOUR EVIL COMPANIONS AND FRIENDS AND DESIRES?”

“No, Sir, I didn’t do that.”

“Then, you did not cast stones at all”, remarked Junaid regretfully, and said:

10“GO BACK AND PERFORM HAJJ once again, giving due thought and attention to all the requirements, so that your Hajj may bear some resemblance with Prophet Ibrahim’s Hajj, whose faith and sincerity has been confirmed by the Qur’an”

PS : I think those who make their political ‘ Randevu’ at the Hajj or UMRA, must know that they accumulated more sin instead of erasing them. I think they have to redo their journey to the Haram, or at least stay where they were before!

BY; Prof Ibrahim Mead