The final rites of Hajj

IN the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The pilgrim should enter the Prophet’s Mosque with the right foot first, saying Bismillahi (In the Name of Allah), and invoke blessings upon the Prophet (SAW). The pilgrim should then say the following prayer: “A’udhu billahil ‘Azim wa wajhihil karim wa sultanihil qadim minash-shaitanir-rajim. Allahumma iftah li abwaba rahmatik,” which translates as: “I seek refuge in Allah, the Almighty, and in His Noble Face, and His Eternal Power from the accursed Satan. O Allah! Open for me the doors of Your Mercy.” This is the same prayer a Muslim recites when entering mosques generally.

The pilgrim should perform the two raka’ah of salutation to the Mosque after entering it, preferably in the Rawdah (an area between the minbar, the Imam’s chamber, and the burial chamber of the Prophet (SAW)). The Rawdah is regarded as “a Garden from Paradise” or “the Noble Garden.” The two raka’ah of salutation may, however, be performed anywhere else in the Mosque. After this, the pilgrim should go to the grave of the Prophet (SAW) and say, with all respect and in a hushed voice: “Assalamu ‘alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,” which means, “Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the Mercy and Blessings of Allah.” There is no harm if the pilgrim adds: “Allahumma atihil wasilata wal fadilata wab’ath-hul maqamal mahmud alladhi wa’adtah. Allahumma ijzihi ‘an ummatihi afdalal jaza.” The prayer translates as: “O Allah! Grant him the station of Wasilah (special nearness to Allah and intercession), and the favour, and raise him to the praiseworthy station that You promised him. O Allah! Reward him on behalf of his Ummah (the Muslim community) with the best of rewards.”

Next, the pilgrim should move a little to the right and stand before the grave of Abu Bakr (RA), greet him, and ask Allah (SWT) to bestow His Mercy, Forgiveness, and Pleasure upon him. It is Sunnah for pilgrims to be in a state of taharah (purification) and visit the Mosque of Quba, offering two raka’ah of prayer in it, as the Prophet (SAW) prayed there and encouraged others to do the same.

It is also Sunnah to visit the Baqi Cemetery, where many of the people of Al-Madinah and many of the companions of the Prophet (SAW) were buried. The graves of Uthman ibn Affan (RA) and the martyrs of Uhud, among whom was Hamzah (RA), may also be visited. The pilgrim should greet them and pray for the Mercy of Allah (SWT) upon them. The Prophet (SAW) used to visit all these graves to pray for his companions buried there. He taught the Muslim Ummah to pay regular visits to the graves of fellow Muslims and to say the following prayer: “Assalamu ‘alaikum ahlad-diyar minal mu’minina wal muslimin, wa inna in sha Allah bikum lahiqun. Nas’alullaha lana wa lakumul ‘afiyah”, meaning: “Peace be upon you, O dwellers of this place from among the believers and the Muslims. By the will of Allah, we shall certainly join you. We ask Allah for ‘afiyah (well-being, protection from the Fire of Hell, and from all tribulations) for ourselves and for you.”

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According to the teachings of the Shari’ah, besides the mosques and other places mentioned so far, there are no other mosques or places in Al-Madinah that are specifically prescribed for visitation. Therefore, pilgrims should not burden themselves with visiting places for which there is no reward or for which there may, in fact, be some blame in doing so. Allah (SWT) is the Source of all guidance.

Meanwhile, pilgrims should be aware of a number of acts and beliefs that could lead them into shirk (associating partners with Allah, SWT). For example, rubbing the walls of the chamber housing the Prophet’s (SAW) grave, kissing it, or performing tawaf around it are all bid’ah (innovations) that have been introduced into Islam. Such practices are strongly discouraged. Our righteous predecessors did not engage in such actions. If anyone’s intention in performing tawaf around the grave is to seek closeness to the Prophet (SAW), then that constitutes shirk.

It is also shirk to invoke the Prophet (SAW) in supplication. Likewise, those who stand by the grave, raise their hands, and make supplications are sadly engaging in innovations that are completely foreign to Islam. Visiting the grave of the Prophet (SAW) is neither obligatory nor a condition for the completion of Hajj, as some pilgrims mistakenly believe. The hadiths cited by certain people prescribing a journey specifically to visit the Prophet’s (SAW) grave are either weak in authenticity or fabricated. The Prophet’s (SAW) life in the state of barzakh (the existence between death and resurrection on the Day of Judgement) is not similar to his earthly life before death. Only Allah (SWT) knows the true nature and reality of the life of barzakh.

In general terms, pilgrims are expected to fulfill certain simple obligations throughout their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the immensely spiritual expedition known as Hajj. They must sincerely repent from all sins and spend on Hajj and Umrah from lawful earnings or savings. They must guard their tongues against lying, backbiting, and slander. They must purify their intentions, performing Hajj or Umrah solely for the pleasure of Allah (SWT). Pilgrims are expected to learn as much as possible about what Hajj and Umrah entail according to the Shari’ah, including both the actions of the limbs and the pronouncements of the tongue. In the event of any confusion, they should know whom to approach for authentic clarification.