As one of the five pillars of Islam, Hajj is one of the most important trips many of us will try to make in our lifetimes. For those of us with loved ones who are lucky enough to go, it’s also a celebration for the whole family and community. From the day they announce their plans for Hajj to the day they depart for Makkah, we’re cheering them on and helping them get ready to be an honoured guest of Allah (SWT).
But while we enthusiastically see them off on their blessed journey, the most significant time to congratulate and meet with our loved ones is when they return home. It’s the time our Hajji (those coming from Hajj) have overcome the trials presented by the rituals of their journey and return with a pure heart and a clean slate.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of pleasing Allah and therein utters no word of evil, nor commits any evil deed, shall remain from it as free from sin as the day on which his mother gave birth to him.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
When someone goes on Hajj and completes its rituals sincerely and solely for the sake of Allah (SWT), their past sins are wiped away by Him, as if they were reborn as a baby. For this reason, we should make an effort to sincerely greet our loved ones returning from their blessed journey. So how should we go about welcoming them home?
Greet Them at The Airport
In hadith, Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (RA) reports that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “When you meet a haji then greet him, shake hands with him and ask him to seek forgiveness on your behalf before he enters his home, for verily he is forgiven” (Musnad Ahmad)
If we have the capacity to, we should try and meet our loved ones returning from Hajj at the arrival gates of the airport. As they have just returned from a long journey, our exchange should not be too long, but in being able to follow the Sunnah of meeting with Hajjis upon their arrival, we also acknowledge their great efforts in completing an honourable act of worship.
Give Dua For Them (and Ask Them to Keep You in Theirs)
Whether we are able to meet our loved ones at the airport upon their arrival or after they’ve settled back home, we are encouraged to deliver this dua to them:
Qabilallahu hajjaka wa ghafara dhambaka wa akhlafa nafaqataka
قَبِلَ اللهُ حَجَّكَ وَ غَفَرَ ذَنْبَكَ وَ اَخْلَفَ نَفَقَتَكَ
“May Allah accept your Hajj, forgive your sins and recompense your expenses.” (At-Tabrani)
We are also encouraged to ask dua and seek forgiveness from our loved ones in turn. Several ahadith make note of the weight the dua of forgiveness, towards them and of others, from a Hajj has in the eyes of Allah (SWT). One such hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah (RA), reports that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“O Allah, forgive the sins of the haji and forgive the sins of the one for whom the haji seeks forgiveness.” (Mustadrak Hakim)
Make Them Feel Loved
Before our loved ones leave for Hajj, we are often asked for forgiveness of their wrongdoings from them so that they may embark on a journey free from guilt and more likely to be accepted by Allah (SWT). Many, in turn, return from their pilgrimage bringing gifts for family and friends – Zamzam water, dates, tasbih, praying mats and more.
With their sincere efforts to save up, make amends, overcome trials for Hajj and keep us and Allah (SWT) in their hearts, it is only fitting for us to welcome our loved ones home with warmth and celebration. In some families, this may be gathering all the relatives to pick up the Hajji from the airport. Other families hold a grand welcome back feast. Whichever way your family and community celebrate, take the opportunity to congratulate them for their Hajj and learn from the wisdom they’ve gained on their blessed journey.
In any way you make an effort to welcome home the returning Hajjis in your life, do it with sincerity and love and make dua that Allah (SWT) allows the same opportunity to happen to you in turn, insha Allah!