The coronavirus has infected the entire world, it caused significant changes in people's daily lives. In particular, travelling, the system of international relations and Hajj and Umrah are stalled. Those who intended to perform Hajj or Umrah were had to change their intentions. The condition of our country India is also very worrying, this epidemic is increasing day by day and there is no prospect of ending yet. Therefore, the senior citizens who think that the strings of their lives will not be able to support them until the next year has become disappointed to perform Hajj. In such an unfortunate situation, when we carefully study the Islamic Shari'ah, we find a few small deeds, the reward of which, by the grace of Allah Almighty, has been equated with Hajj.
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, which is obligatory for every able person. If the travelling is peaceful, the pilgrim can travel in terms of good health and well-being and can afford alimony for his family in his absence, then Hajj is obligatory.
The pilgrim is the guest of Allah, Allah rewards him for his every step of the way, forgives his small and big sins as well as gives the glad tidings of Paradise and removes poverty with his blessings.
"The Messenger of Allah said:
'Perform Hajj and 'Umrah consecutively, for they remove poverty and sin as the bellows remove impurity from iron and gold and silver, and Hajj Al-Mabrur brings no less a reward than Paradise.''
(Sunan Nisa'i: 2631)
« تَابِعُوا بَيْنَ الْحَجِّ وَالْعُمْرَةِ فَإِنَّهُمَا يَنْفِيَانِ الْفَقْرَ وَالذُّنُوبَ كَمَا يَنْفِي الْكِيرُ خَبَثَ الْحَدِيدِ وَالذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَيْسَ لِلْحَجَّةِ الْمَبْرُورَةِ ثَوَابٌ إِلَّا الْجَنَّةُ»
(سنن نسائی 2631)
The circumstances do not allow us to strive for these virtues due to the pandemic of COVID-19, so we should practice these shortcuts as told by the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and hope in Allah that He will give us the reward of complete Hajj and Umrah in our book of deeds in the return for these deeds. Some of these acts of worship are mentioned below.
(1) Reward of intention
In return for the good intentions of His servant, Allah Almighty bestows His blessings on him and gives the full reward of this deed.
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"He who intended to do good, but did not do it, one good was recorded for him, and he who intended to do good and also did it, ten to seven hundred good deeds were recorded for him. And he who intended evil, but did not commit it, no entry was made against his name, but if he committed that, it was recorded."
(Sahih Muslim: 130)
«مَنْ هَمَّ بِحَسَنَةٍ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا، كُتِبَتْ لَهُ حَسَنَةً، وَمَنْ هَمَّ بِحَسَنَةٍ فَعَمِلَهَا، كُتِبَتْ لَهُ عَشْرًا إِلَى سَبْعِ مِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ، وَمَنْ هَمَّ بِسَيِّئَةٍ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا، لَمْ تُكْتَبْ، وَإِنْ عَمِلَهَا كُتِبَتْ»
(صحیح مسلم 130)
As much as the desire for good deeds is with the seriousness of heart and sincerity, Allah Almighty will record the reward for it in his book of deeds. Sometimes a person deserves the reward of great deeds due to his good intentions. The man should take advantage of this golden chance. On the other hand, sometimes the most difficult deeds are gone for a toss due to bad intention and the sake of appearances and cause agonizing torment instead of goodness.
(2) Performing ablution from home and performing obligatory prayers in congregation
Apparently, a person who performs ablution from home for obligatory prayers and goes to the mosque thinks that the reward of one prayer is only twenty-five to twenty-seven times in his mind, but Allah, the Exalted, with His mercy and compassion writes the reward of one prayer in the book of deeds equal to one complete Hajj.
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"If anyone goes out from his house after performing ablution for saying the prescribed prayer in congregation (in the mosque), his reward will be like that of one who goes for Hajj pilgrimage after wearing Ihram (robe worn by the hajj pilgrims)."
(Sunan Abu Dawood 559)
«مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ مُتَطَهِّرًا إِلَى صَلَاةٍ مَكْتُوبَةٍ فَأَجْرُهُ كَأَجْرِ الْحَاجِّ الْمُحْرِمِ »
(سنن ابو داود 559)
(3) Performing mid-morning prayer is equal to an Umrah
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"And he who goes out to say the mid-morning (Duha) prayer, and takes the trouble for this purpose, will take the reward like that of a person who performs Umrah. And a prayer followed by a prayer with no worldly talk during the gap between them will be recorded in Illiyyun."
(ibid)
« وَمَنْ خَرَجَ إِلَى تَسْبِيحِ الضُّحَى لَا يَنْصِبُهُ إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ فَأَجْرُهُ كَأَجْرِ الْمُعْتَمِرِ، وَصَلَاةٌ عَلَى أَثَرِ صَلَاةٍ لَا لَغْوَ بَيْنَهُمَا كِتَابٌ فِي عِلِّيِّينَ »
(سنن ابو داود 559)
(4) Performing Ishraq prayer after praying Fajr prayer in the congregation
Whoever, after performing the Fajr prayer in the congregation, continues to glorify Allah in the same place till sunrise and then performs two rak'ats of Nafl, then the reward for this whole act will be equal to one Hajj and one Umrah.
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"Whoever prays Fajr in the congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun has risen, then he prays two Rak'ah, then for him is the reward like that of a Hajj and Umrah."
He said:
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Complete, complete, complete that is, the full reward of Hajj and Umrah."
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 586)
« مَنْ صَلَّى الْغَدَاةَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ ثُمَّ قَعَدَ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ كَانَتْ لَهُ كَأَجْرِ حَجَّةٍ وَعُمْرَةٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ.»
(سنن الترمذي: 586)
(5) Going to the mosque to acquire religious knowledge
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"Whoever goes to the mosque just to learn or teach something good is rewarded with a complete Hajj and Umrah."
(Al-Jame Al-Kabeer: 22339)
«مَن غَدا إلى المَسْجِدِ لا يُرِيدُ إلا أنْ يَتَعَلَّمَ خَيرًا أوْ يُعَلِّمَهُ كانَ لَهُ كأجْرِ مُعْتَمِر تامِّ العُمْرَةِ، ومَن راحَ إلى المَسْجِدِ لا يُرِيدُ إلا أنْ يَتَعَلَّمَ خَيرًا أوْ يُعَلِّمَهُ، فَلَهُ أجْرُ حاجٍّ تامِّ الحَجَّةِ».
(الجامع الكبير: ٢٢٣٣٩)
(6) Praising Allah after prayers
Abu Huraira (Razi Allahu anhu) narrated: Some poor people came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and said: "The wealthy people will get higher grades and will have permanent enjoyment and they pray like us and fast as we do. They have more money by which they perform the Hajj and Umrah; fight and struggle in Allah's Cause and give in charity."
The Prophet said,
"Shall I not tell you a thing upon which if you acted you would catch up with those who have surpassed you? Nobody would overtake you and you would be better than the people amongst whom you live except those who would do the same. Say "Subhana l-lah", "Al hamdu li l-lah" and "Allahu Akbar" thirty-three times each after every (compulsory) prayer."
(Sahih Al-Bukhari: 843)
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ جَاءَ الْفُقَرَاءُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالُوا ذَهَبَ أَهْلُ الدُّثُورِ مِنَ الأَمْوَالِ بِالدَّرَجَاتِ الْعُلاَ وَالنَّعِيمِ الْمُقِيمِ، يُصَلُّونَ كَمَا نُصَلِّي، وَيَصُومُونَ كَمَا نَصُومُ، وَلَهُمْ فَضْلٌ مِنْ أَمْوَالٍ يَحُجُّونَ بِهَا، وَيَعْتَمِرُونَ، وَيُجَاهِدُونَ، وَيَتَصَدَّقُونَ قَالَ " أَلاَ أُحَدِّثُكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ إِنْ أَخَذْتُمْ بِهِ أَدْرَكْتُمْ مَنْ سَبَقَكُمْ وَلَمْ يُدْرِكْكُمْ أَحَدٌ بَعْدَكُمْ، وَكُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ مَنْ أَنْتُمْ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْهِ، إِلاَّ مَنْ عَمِلَ مِثْلَهُ تُسَبِّحُونَ وَتَحْمَدُونَ، وَتُكَبِّرُونَ خَلْفَ كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ ".
(صحیح البخاری: 843)
(7) Treating parents kindly
Anas ibn Malik (Razi Allahu anhu) reported: A man came to the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), and said,
"I want Jihad, but I do not have the strength." So he asked, are any of your parents alive? So he said yes my mother. So the prophet said go and serve her, you will be in the category of Haji, performer of Umrah and Mujahid.
(At-Targhib Wat-Tarhib 3/292 Al-Mujam Al-Awsat 2915, Imam al-Mundhari and Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on them) said: the chain of this narration is good.)
أن رجلاً جاء إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وقال: إني أشتهي الجهاد ولا أقدر عليه، قال: هل بقي من والديك أحد؟ قال: أمي، قال: «قابل الله في برِّها، فإن فعلت فأنت حاج ومعتمر ومجاهد»
(الترغيب والترهيب 3/292 المعجم الأوسط 2915 )
Apart from these, there are some other deeds for which Allah Almighty rewards Hajj and Umrah. But even in the current situation, it is impossible to implement them. However, for further note, they are also mentioned below.
(8) Performing Umrah in Ramadan
Performing Umrah in Ramadan will not only reward Hajj but will be rewarded with Hajj in the company of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). Hazrat Ibn Abbas narrates: When the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) returned from the farewell pilgrimage, he asked Um Sinan Al-Ansariyah, "What did forbid you to perform Hajj?" She replied, "Father of so-and-so (i.e. her husband) had two camels and he performed Hajj on one of them, and the second is used for the irrigation of our land."
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said (to her),
"Perform Umrah in the month of Ramadan, performing Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to performing Hajj with me. (in reward).
(Sahih Bukhari: 1863)
« لَمَّا رَجَعَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنْ حَجَّتِهِ ، قَالَ لِأُمِّ سِنَانٍ الْأَنْصَارِيَّةِ : مَا مَنَعَكِ مِنَ الْحَجِّ ؟ قَالَتْ : أَبُو فُلَانٍ تَعْنِي زَوْجَهَا ، كَانَ لَهُ نَاضِحَانِ حَجَّ عَلَى أَحَدِهِمَا ، وَالْآخَرُ يَسْقِي أَرْضًا لَنَا ، قَالَ : إِنَّ عُمْرَةً فِي رَمَضَانَ تَقْضِي حَجَّةً ، أَوْ حَجَّةً مَعِي .»
(صحیح بخاری 1863)
(9) Assisting the pilgrim or taking care of his family in his absence
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"Whoever sends a mujahid to Jihad, or helps a pilgrim, or assists his family after he has gone on Hajj, or breaks a fasting person, he should be rewarded according to his reward. And the rewards of performers will not be diminished."
(At-Targhib Wat-Tarhib 1/152)
«من جَهَّزَ غازيًا أوجهز حاجا أو خلفَهُ في أَهْلِهِ، أو أفطر صائمًا كان لَهُ مثلُ أجورهم، من غيرِ أن ينقصَ من أجورهم شيء»
(الترغيب والترهيب 1/152)
(10) Praying in the Quba Mosque
The Quba Mosque is the first mosque of Islam and the first Juma prayer performed under the leading of the prophet, it's laying stone was positioned by the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). It is located in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), said,
"'Whoever goes out to his Masjid - the Masjid of Quba' and prays therein, that will be equivalent to an Umrah.'"
(Sunan Nasai: 700)
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ« مَنْ خَرَجَ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ هَذَا الْمَسْجِدَ مَسْجِدَ قُبَاءَ فَصَلَّى فِيهِ كَانَ لَهُ عَدْلَ عُمْرَةٍ»
(سنن نسائی: 700)
In the same way, Allah Almighty gives great rewards for many small deeds. The reason for this is that the reward is the grace of Allah. He bestows his bounties on whomever he wants, but this does not mean that the obligation of Hajj and Umrah is abolished and no need to perform the same, but it does mean that the reward of these deeds is similar to the reward of Hajj. If those have not been able to perform Hajj this time, it is obligatory for them to perform Hajj next year.
May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to visit the Holy Sites of Mecca and Medina, and save the whole world from Corona. Ameen
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