Preparation for the Journey

Each journey requires more or less preparation. The preparation of journey is more special and important if the destination is Mecca and Madinah, the two haram regions, and the intention is to perform worship.

The believer who hearkens the order of Allah (swt) and the invitation of Prophet Ibrahim (as) gets prepared for the journey to visit the house of Allah (swt) and respond to this invitation. On the one hand, he prepares the materials such as clothes and goods needed for a journey and after, on the other hand, he does not neglect taqwa preparation. It is stated in the following verse about the journey to the hajj as follows: “Whatever good you do - Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding.”  (Baqarah, 2/197) Believer’s preparation of taqwa provisions means he is ready to perform hajj by realizing his responsibilities with a sincere intention and love to gain Allah’s (swt) pleasure and avoid any bad thoughts or behaviors that might offend his Lord (swt). 

Moreover, one should also remember that exerting the utmost effort to become equipped with the knowledge, feelings, and merits necessary for the duly performance of the worship is one of the important steps that waits for the candidate pilgrim during the preparation for the hajj. Candidate pilgrims should spare some time for themselves before setting off on the journey, and in particular, they are advised to refresh their knowledge about Ilm al-Hal, the worship of hajj, and the prophetic biography. This blessed journey is an important opportunity a person to evaluate oneself, correct his/her mistakes, repent sincerely, and to cover up his/her shortcomings in terms of servitude. 

In this regard, one should re-evaluate his/her relationship with his/her kinsfolk, neighbors and friends, compensate any violation of material or intangible rights, settle all debts, reconcile any resentments, and ask for one's blessings regarding any violation of the material and intangible rights of such person. As death may knock our doors any minute, we should consider this journey as an opportunity to ask forgiveness from those whom we have wronged, compensate the resentments and pay the rightful dues. Prophet Muhammad (saw) underlined the importance of asking for forgiveness as follows:"Whoever has oppressed another person concerning his reputation or anything else, he should beg him to forgive him before the Day of Resurrection when there will be no money (to compensate for wrong deeds), but if he has good deeds, those good deeds will be taken from him according to his oppression which he has done, and if he has no good deeds, the sins of the oppressed person will be loaded on him.”  (Bukhari, Mazallim, 10, Riqaq, 48)