Hajj Youth

Seven Reasons to Perform Hajj While Young

4314385452_d50b3c492d_bby Ibn Shaima

“The feet of man will not slip on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked of five things: of his life as to how he spent it, his youth as to how he used it, his wealth as to where he got it and how he spent it, and of his knowledge as to what he did with it.” (Tirmithi)

“That they may witness benefits for themselves…” (Qur’an, 22:28)

From a young age, many of us dream of going to Hajj – to see the Ka`bah in person, the Station of Ibrahim, drink ZamZam, perform tawaaf (circling the Ka`bah), wear the white garments of Hajj, and be with brothers and sisters from around the world in the greatest international gathering in the history of humanity. It is a rare opportunity for forgiveness, for change, for turning to the Creator, and for Paradise, insha’Allah (God willing).

But it can sometimes feel out of reach and far away.  This is especially the case with the youth.

But as a person moves on in life, high school and university finish.  There may be money left over, or loans that finally get paid off, and a person is in a position to perform Hajj. At the same time, there are many options in life.  It could be marriage, travel or vacation – one has to choose. For the young, with all of life’s possibilities tugging at the heart, here are a few reasons to put one’s heart, efforts, and resources into making that life-long dream a reality: the journey of Hajj.

1. If the Door is Open, It May Never Open Again

The dream has finally had its means made easy – will you fulfill it?  Life is so short on earth; we never know if this opportunity will come again. In fact, Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) tells us how short life on earth is: “You stayed not but a little – if only you had known,” (Qur’an, 23:114). If the door for performing Hajj is finally open, a person should jump at the chance to perform it.

Ibn `Umar, radi allahu `anhu (may Allah be pleased with him), said, “When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness, and from your life for your death.” (Bukhari)

2. Hasten Toward Hajj

“Expedite the performance of Hajj.  For nobody knows what may obstruct one.” (Ibn Majah, Ahmad)

Along with not knowing what may obstruct one if one does not take the open opportunity to perform Hajj, the Prophet ﷺ told us to expedite the performance of Hajj.  We are told to get it done, not put it on the backburner or be lax concerning its performance, or to put other things as a priority above it.  It is a duty to be fulfilled for Allah, a pillar of Islam.  For someone who has had the means to perform Hajj for some time and  does not go, the Prophet ﷺ informed us of the state of loss of such a person: “Allah said: ‘Any of My slaves who is healthy and are of the means for five years, and did not visit My house, he is mahroom.” (Ibn Hibban & Musnad Abu Ya’laa: 3703:1031)  The direct translation of mahroom is “deprive,” meaning a person who is able to go to Hajj and does not, has deprived themselves of something good and of benefits that cannot be imagined that will be regretted on the Day of Judgment.

3. Hajj Decreases Poverty

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Keep on doing Hajj and Umrah, because they both eliminate poverty and sins just like a furnace eliminates the dirty impurities of iron, gold and silver.  And an accepted Hajj has no reward less than Paradise!” (Tirmithi, Nisaa’i, Ahmad)  It is important that we do not let our worries stop us from going, if we have the means.  If we are concerned for our sustenance, one should perform Hajj with the expectation of improving its state, however Allah (swt) wills for that to happen.

4. The Supplication

One of the most prominent features of Hajj is supplication to Allah (swt).  One does it so much on Hajj.  But what is more, the supplication of Hajj is answered insha’Allah; and the best supplication is that of Arafah during Hajj.

“The warrior in the path of Allah, the one performing Hajj and the one performing Umrah are the delegations of Allah.  If they call on Allah they are answered and if they ask Him for anything it is given to them.” (Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibban)

“The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafah […]” (Tirmithi, Malik)

“There is no other day when Allah sets free more slaves from the Fire than the day of Arafah, for that day He comes nearer to them and says proudly to the angels: What do these people seek?” (Muslim)

Now for the youth looking to improve their lives – to get that nice job, get into that school, improve their relationship with Allah and draw near to Him, marry that wonderful man or woman, have that a family member come to Islam or get back on the straight path, Hajj is the place to be. Hajj is where it’s at.  Think of having supplicated during Hajj and living life from now on benefitting from those supplications insha’Allah.

5. The Release from Sin

Not only is Hajj a priceless opportunity for supplication, it is a chance to wipe clean the slate of one’s mistakes and shortcomings of the past.  “One who comes to this House for Hajj and avoids all lewdness and sins, he returns as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Bukhari & Muslim) Imagine having all of one’s mistakes wiped away, and having a clean and healthy conscience, mind and heart and a purified soul insha’Allah.  Imagine experiencing this rebirth of sorts from a young age.  It is a dream; it is priceless.  But by Allah’s Mercy and Compassion, it is insha’Allah within reach for those who make Hajj.  Hajj is a great way of for young person to get a head start in cleaning up the shortcomings and mistakes of the past, and thereafter look towards a much brighter future insha’Allah.   Hajj is also a chance for Paradise: “An `umrah to another `umrah expiates what is in between them, and the accepted Hajj receives nothing except Paradise.” (Bukhari & Muslim) `Umrah is a like Hajj except it is shorter and can be performed at any time of the year.

6.  Utilize Your Youth

Not only is Hajj a chance to be reborn in terms of one’s past mistakes and shortcomings in life, it is also a chance for the youth to take advantage of the fresh health they are often given by Allah (swt), the Most Generous.  “There are two blessings which many people do not make the most of and thus lose out: good health and free time.” (Bukhari)  Take advantage of this great blessing that is guaranteed for no one.  Hajj is not only a spiritual, emotional, and intellectual experience, but also a very physical one.  No matter how young or in-shape you are, you will stand to benefit from every last bit of youthful energy and physical health Allah (swt) has blessed you with during Hajj.

7.  Experience the World

As a young person, valuable life lessons taken from an early age are precious and can leave a lasting impression.  One of the greatest life lessons anyone can learn and experience most vividly on Hajj is that human beings are equal to each other.  Equal, that is, except in terms of taqwa, or God consciousness and reverence.  On Hajj this is not an ideal of the mind or on the tongue, but is something put into practice, witnessed and experienced.  During the Hajj itself, in part of what is known as the Farewell Sermon, the Prophet ﷺ said, “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a back nor a black any superiority over a white, except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.” (Excerpt from Khutbatul Wada’, amongst collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmithi, Ahmad)

From virtually every nook and corner of the Earth, men and women gather together in unity and submission to God during Hajj.  Men all wear the same simple, white cloth garments; men and women perform the same acts of worship; young and old and even children participate; the rich and the poor mix. Everyone is equal before God and their piety is ultimately only known to Him, and He is their final Judge.  Going through such an experience on a large scale with millions of people, insha’Allah, will open up the mind, heart, and soul to what it really means to be a human being amongst everyone on earth, much less what it truly means to be a Muslim in peaceful surrender to God.

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  • Ma’sha’allah, excellent post.

    As each year passes, I long to go for this journey to Allah’s (swt) House. In the last 5 years or so, an uncle and a beloved aunt have made the trip from the US. After hearing of their journey’s and other more physically distant family members, watching The Message for the umpteenth time and imagining myself in the very place where the miraculous event of the Revelation took place and where our Prophet and his companions spent their lives, I feel the dire need for that door to open. I will be finishing medical school in less than a year’s time insha’allah, so as was implied, I pray that an opportunity comes soon. My mother’s knees are not getting any younger 🙂 and I too, at age 28 (29 in less than two months), am not feeling that young anymore in the scheme of life. I’ve lost family members who were just around my age or a little older and my dear father, who passed away in 2001 (May Allah have Mercy on him), did not get the opportunity to make Hajj, so I hope that I will be able to go for my soul, and once more, for his.

    Call me to your House soon Ya Allah!

  • I went on Hajj 2 years ago when I was 22, alhamdillah. When i returned, everyone commented on how ‘young’ I was, which I found bizarre; we spend money to vacation every year, we buy nice clothes etc etc but when it comes to hajj we say “maybe later”?

    It is an unbelievable, unforgettable experience. I wish to go again… inshAllah.

    • But as young women, we are told we cannot go without our mahrams. Being unmarried and with an older father who has been to hajj already, how then can a Muslim woman go to hajj when she is ‘young’?

    • I have been to Hajj ounce and I want to take my wife to Hajj before age catches with us. please make dua for us

  • Jinan, same here. I went last year at the age at 24. Every one in the mosques and group was amazed to see someone as young as me. I just thank Allah for giving me the opportunity to go. And the thing about it was that I decided to go last minute, lol, I was so late that I had to fly separate from the group and they had to met me in Washington, D.C, but every thing worked out fine. I am now jealous of the people that are going now, in a good way, lol. Want to go every year InshALLAH. Salaams to all.

    • Mashallah that is amazing for a young person to go…I want to go but I am having a hard time to make the decision because I am single, I wish I was married then my decisions would be much easier and I have my reason to say this .. it is hard for me as a single women and when I said this to a older women she understood me .. it is not because of the mahram…. it is just because being single … I wish I was married …. I think I am posting this twice

  • When I was planning to go to Hajj next season (1432H), I was thinking “How long will my journey be on this earth ? What if I don’t make it until my next birthday ? Will I be questioned if I did not complete my hajj while I’m able to do so ?“.

    Reading this article makes me want to perform it even more, insya-Allaah. Jazakallaah khair for this article.

  • Jazaka’Allah for sharing me this.

    Hopefully, with the permission of HIM, to be given the opportunity to perform Hajj at the time this young and healthy. Ameen. Insya’Allah.

    I’ve been Umrah recently.. and Insya’Allah always plan for Hajj while im young! This is my target.

  • I always wondered..what if you dont get the chance to ever do Hajj because of financial issues? Like it is a really good reason that you never got the chance to do Hajj..how else can you forgive your sins like a new born baby besides Hajj?
    And what about if you never get the chance to go does that mean Allah (SWT) dosnt want you in his house? Should i be worried if i never get the chance to go even if i tried really hard? People who get to go, are they lucky and loved more by Allah (SWT) then people who don’t?
    I really want to go but i have a long way to go before i get stable for it and i am only 19 too. I wish i can go in my youth but i am not seeing much chances.

  • This gives me an inspiration for my Hajj this year
    Insya-Allah I’m going this since I’m still young (if I were to finish my Hajj, it’s going to be a week or two before I’m 27)

  • Great article, Mashallah! I’m glad you wrote about this topic because unfortunately some cultures have set ideas of when in your life you should perform hajj and anytime other than that is “not right”. Speaking from my own experience, I think doing hajj while young is amazing!

    A few years ago, I was eager to get closer to Allah so I consistently prayed to be able to go on hajj. Allahumdullah soon after I began high school I was able to make the journey! The best thing about hajj for me at that time was that it acted as my anchor. If I didn’t experience those things at that age then I would have made some very bad decisions in high school. The amazing experience you get from hajj is enough to help you firmly realize your purpose in life. Once you know your purpose, your way becomes easy despite the obstacles you face as a teenager growing up in the West.

  • May Allah give me a chance to complete this one and only responsibility at this not-so-old age and while I am still in a good of health…InsyaAllah..

  • Salaam,
    Thanks for this beautiful piece I read it to my husband but he was not interested because he doesn’t want me to go.Although he claims to approve that I go alone but I want us together as couple. Insha Allah next year I will go alone if he is not ready. I hope it is allowed for amarried woman to go alone because if have a baby during that period you will miss that year until after you finish weaning your baby

  • Subhanallah. A very excellent post 🙂
    Most of what the writer expresses are what i feel towards hajj..
    i went to perform hajj last year (2011) at 27 years old, and alhamdulillah, i’m truly grateful that allah had blessed me to go at young age and grant my wish to perform hajj. it was a 2 years wait after i realized the calling to go for hajj.
    and i’m still longing to go perform hajj again. it was truly a wonderful journey, experience towards increasing your love and iman to Allah, Rasulullah and the other iman pillars. hopefully allah will allow me to go again.
    jazakallahu khayran

  • Me my husband ,father in law and mother in law and sister in law are going for Hajj.its great feeling .everyone pray for us .

  • With the life l had l’d never be able to go to Hajj, but l am happy for everyone who has it written in the destiny to go-l pray Allah excepts your duas/hajj

  • I did hajj this in 2012 but iv been tormented since with the fear that my hajj has not been accepted. Im continuously praised by everyone for doing it at such a young age but im guilt ridden by the mistakes i made during it, the ill thoughts that i had and the regret that i didnt do enough… Didnt do enough tawafs, didnt do enough duas, got angry, spoke ill of someone, had secxual thots about another person… Astagh firuallah!!! Im disgusted with myself!!

  • thanks to Allah for giving me the opportunity to perform hajj this year with both my parents at my 20..though people were questioning about why in this early age….I have never been a practicing Muslimah… for me hajj was to wipe away all the sins and start from the beginning..may Allah accept me and my parents as well and give us the opportunity again and again….it was the best experience of my life….

  • AL-HUMDULILLAHI RABBIL AALAMIN, ALLAH Has Accepted My DUA, AL-HUMDULILLAH I Performed HAJJ At The Age Of 26 In This Year 2013

  • i have ever seen that a human likes to go for hajj in his old age. the reason is that he wanted to apologize for his mistakes in his whole life, from his Allah. but the hajj is a very tough work to do and much strength is neede for this work. this is one reason.i learn much from this article and got much information. in the young age a man i busy in his life and has not enough time for hajj, this is a cause that man likes to perform hajj in his old age.i appreciate you on writing this valuable article.

  • Alhamdulillah I had performed hajj at the age of 16 in year 1999 with my parents,aunt & grandma. I had shared my experience with all my colleagues and thanks me to Allah for allowing me go in a young age with a good health. I also pray to Allah for allowing me to be a mutawwif and can perform hajj or umrah again.

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