I greet you with the best of greetings
; Asalam alaykum warahmotulahi wabarakatuhu.
First and foremost I congratulate you for the arduous task and
journey you embarked upon, it is a worthwhile journey that requires the
dedication of the heart, strength and wealth. At least it would be a
joke to say that more than five hundred thousand that you spent to make
this trip is nothing. Indeed it is one of sacrifice, loyalty to the
creator and one rewarding.
Some of you, I believe, this is your first and others have been
making the pilgrimage for years. By now I know, and I believe, you are a
‘born again’. You are like a new born baby according to the narration of Abu Huraira that Prophet Muhammad said:
“Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have
sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he
will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.”
At Makkah you have seen what unity truly means. Millions of people of
various colours, languages, tall and short, young and old, deaf and
dumb, lame and cripple, and all variety of human kind you might think of
all chanting one slogan, facing one direction, in the same attire. No
discrepancy between the wealthy and the poor, nor a king and a slave;
everybody walking together, side by side, under the same heaven
exchanging the greetings of peace and blessings. That is one of the
qualities of Islam the prophet exemplified and preached; in fact he
stressed this in his last sermon before he died. So, my brethren this is
a challenge to you that no person or race is superior to another in
Allah’s sight except in righteousness and uprightness. An Igbo, a Yoruba
or a Hausa; we are all equal except in those highlighted qualities.
Now, if you’ve understood that, then you have to let loose your
tribalism and racism believes.
Also, you have, as I have already said been set free of your past
sins, this is an ample opportunity for you to start afresh and live up
as expected of you by your creator, Allah. You shouldn’t taint
yourselves with sins again. It is a usual practice that some hujjaj
(Alhajis and Alhajas) would do “Sabaka night” upon their return
from Hajj. This practice is un-Islamic and you shouldn’t be a part of
this and others of such. You are also not expected to throw parties all
around like a spendthrift because Allah loves not the spendthrift and He
called them the brothers of Shaytaan (devil).
By now, you should turn new leaves and abhor anything that dresses
itself inform of sins. All forms of polytheism, alcoholism, fornication
and adultery, and other filthiness and immoralities should be shunned.
Meritorious qualities you’ve leaned such as love of one’s neighbor,
respect of lives and properties, kindness, uphold of justice and others
taught by Prophet Muhammad should be imbibed. You should put the end in
mind; this I believe you know is to attain the paradise of Allah and be
saved from Hell. So you must be up and doing and don’t get swayed at any
point in time.
You should also know that as meritorious as your effort and sacrifice
is what really matters is your sincere intention that you did it for
God alone and to seek His face.
‘Umar bin Al-Khattab narrated: The Prophet said, “The (reward of)
deeds depend on intentions, and every person will get the reward
according to what he intends. So, whoever migrated for Allah and His
Apostle, then his migration will be for Allah and His Apostle, and
whoever migrated for worldly benefits or for marrying a woman, then his
migration will be for what he migrated for.”
I hope you remember to pray for your brethren who are suffering and
being oppressed in all parts of the world. I believe also that you
prayed for Nigeria during your stay in Makkah, if not it’s not too late
for you to do that. That you pray for this country is your
responsibility more so that you’re still pure and just returned from
Allah’s service, because there’s no place like home.
I should write more but the ink would not allow. I pray that your
efforts would not be rent asunder, and that you live the rest of your
life sincerely in accordance to the will of your creator.
Also to the teeming Muslims like me who hope to make this trip and
worship in a lifetime, may Allah make it possible and provide us with
wealth and strength. Once again, May Allah’s peace, blessings, and mercy
be upon you.
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