HAJJ 2024: KHUTBAH DELIVERED BY SHEIKH ABDULLAH BUAYJAAN AT MASJID AN NABAWI
By Ajape Sefiu A.
Today, Friday, June 7, 2024 is the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1445 A.H, the 12th Islamic month when the Hajj pilgrimage is always performed.
Recall that the Saudi authorities announced the sighting of Dhul Hijjah crescent yesterday.
The development means Hajj pilgrimage for 1445 AH-2024 will commence on Friday, June 14, with the day of Arafah falling on Saturday, June 15.
Muslim biggest festival, Eid Al-Adha, will be observed on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
BELOW IS THE FULL KHUTBAH DELIVERED BY SHEIKH ABDULLAH BUAYJAAN AT MASJID AN NABAWI TODAY
O people,
Indeed, Allah has chosen specific times in which He showers His mercy upon us, so take full advantage of these moments.
He has allocated times of the year wherein lie much good and much generosity, so eagerly seek them out and take full advantage of them.
Such a time has now arrived, descending upon you all, so welcome it with open arms and garner from it what you can.
Indeed, you are in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the best days of the year.
Allah has placed together different kinds of worship in these days that cannot be seen in any other.
These include salah, hajj, sadaqah (charity), fasting, and other good deeds.
Ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
”There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than on these days, referring to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
They said:
”O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, not even Jihad in the path of Allah?”
He said:
”Not even Jihad in the path of Allah, except that of a man who goes out (to Jihad) with his self and his wealth but returns with none of it.” (Bukhari).
Jabir reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
”The best days in this world are the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah.” (Al-Bazzar).
Servants of Allah.
Indeed, Allah has granted you this time of good, so benefit from it fully, and He has bestowed upon you blessed periods, so make the most of them.
These are first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are well-known to be filled with virtue and blessings, so it is befitting for the believer to be eager in earning much reward and not to waste their time.
So, hasten in performing good deeds before it’s too late and hold yourselves accountable before you are held accountable [by Allah].
O Muslims
The first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are days of tasbeeh (glorifying) and thikr (remembering) Allah.
O servants of Allah, increase your tasbeeh, tahmeed, tahleel and takbeer.
Remember Allah and He will remember you; thank Him and He will increase you in favor.
Brothers and Sisters in Islam,
The Two Holy Mosques situated in Makkah and Madinah are the greatest and most virtuous pieces of land on the face of the earth.
Muslims from all over the world embark on the journey of Hajj and Umrah, thus, they visit both Harams with the purpose of worshiping Allah and completing their (Hajj) rituals.
Serving the Hujjaaj is a great honor that Allah has bestowed upon this blessed country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Hence, the Kingdom strives hard in providing exceptional care for the Hujjaaj, so that they can respond to the call of Allah:
Never, have these lands ever accommodated as many Hujjaaj and visitors as they do now.
Not only are there an unprecedented amount of pilgrims here, being accommodated to perform their religious duties, they are also provided with security, healthcare and other services that helps them carry out their worship.
Moreover, pilgrims also have the chance to benefit from the religious guidance and learning programs offered.
Their entire journey, from their hometown all the way to Makkah has been made easier, allowing pilgrims to fulfil their obligation with comfort and ease.
We praise Allah for the peace, safety and security that He has bestowed upon this blessed country.
May Allah reward the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his heir for all their efforts in serving the Two Holy Mosques and its visitors. May Allah reward all those who are involved, including the security forces, healthcare workers, and other sectors.
How fortunate are those who have contributed in one way or an other, whether in Makkah Mukarramah or Madinah Munawwarah, for they have been given the honor of serving the guests of Allah.
Respected Hujjaj,
Hajj is a one of the pillars of Islam, made obligatory by none other than Allah.
Furthermore, Allah has given a special honor to the days and places of Hajj.
Servants of Allah,
Hajj is a great symbol of Islam.
There is an entire chapter named after it in the Quran.
Apart from this chapter (Surah Hajj), there are many other aayaat that are related to Hajj.
Congratulations to you, honored hujjaj, for Allah has guided you and given you the opportunity to fulfill this obligation and to respond to His call.
The Sheikh was Emotional when reading the following:
Congratulations to you, for Allah has favored you by paving the way for you to embark on the journey of Hajj.
He has chosen you [among millions of Muslims] to carry out one of the greatest pillars of Islam.
Congratulations to you, for you will be going to the best of places, i.e. the House of Allah (the kab’ah) as well as the sites of Hajj to carry out your rituals.
Congratulations to you, for you will be going to Arafat, and Allah will announce to His angels, speaking highly of you saying:
“Look at My servants who have come to Me disheveled and dusty from every distant valley.
You are My witnesses that I have forgiven them.”
Congratulations to you as soon you will be engaging in an act of worship that will erase your sins, elevate your status and rank [in the Hereafter] and result in your duas being answered.
So, seize the opportunity, O honored pilgrims, and do your utmost best to complete the rituals of Hajj.
Devote yourselves to worship and do not waste your time in trivial matters, idle talk or sin.
There should be no intimacy, no disobedience, and no disputing during Hajj.
Make sure that you do every act of worship with ikhlaas (sincerity).
Follow the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and stay away from bid’ah (innovations).
Do not worship Allah except according to the way prescribed by the Sharia and the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ.
Any act [of worship] that does not confirm with the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ will be rejected.
Similarly, Allah will not accept a good deed if it is tainted with even the slightest amount of shirk [ascribing partners to Allah].
Allah says:
”I do not have any partner whatsoever.
Whoever does an action for the sake of anyone else other than me, I will discard them and their shirk.”
O servants of Allah, fear Allah and do not ascribe any partner to Him.
Respected Hujjaj,
Respect the rules and regulations that have been put in place to make things run smoothly, for your convenience and the convenience of others.
For your own safety, do not break the law and comply with the directives given to you by the authorities.
Dua
O Allah, accept the Hajj of the hujjaj visiting Your Sacred House.
O Allah, grant them an accepted Hajj, reward them for their efforts, and forgive their sins.
O Allah, bestow them with safety and security, and return them to their homes safe and sound.
Reward all those who serve them and strive to make their stay comfortable, Yā Rabb Al-‘Ālamīn (O Lord of the Worlds).
O Allah, honor Islam and the Muslims, assist Your believing servants, and make this country safe and secure along with all other Muslim countries.
O Allah, protect and assist our brethren in Palestine. Grant them safety and honor.
O Allah, relieve them from their pain and remove their suffering.
Protect their honor and lives.
O Allah, cure their sick, heal their wounds, and accept their deceased [among the Shuhadaa].
O Allah, grant them victory over the oppressive and occupying Zionists, Yā Qawiyy Yā ‘Azīz (O Mighty and Strong).
O Allah, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.
