Some items the pilgrims bring with them from Makkah and Madinah
Allah ta^ala said:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءامَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ وَاتَّقُوا اللهَ إِنَّ اللهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
This Ayah means: O you who believe, fear Allah and let everyone prepare oneself for Hereafter and fear Allah for Allah knows about your doings.
Good tidings are due to those who fear Allah and adhere to the methodology of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Good tidings are due to those who perform Hajj and ^Umrah and visit the grave of our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallalahu ^alayhi wasallam.
The Prophet taught his nation the matters that would benefit them in their religion and in their life and urged them to practice these matters.
Dear brothers in Islam, as the Hujjaj of the Holy House start arriving to their home countries we ask Allah to accept the hajj from them and erase their sins. Ameen.
In my speech today I would like to emphasize the importance of some items the pilgrims bring with them from Makkah and Madinah. Firstly, I would like to talk about as-siwak.
Religiously, the siwak is a twig or the like used for cleaning ones teeth. The best type is a twig from al-Araak tree.
The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said what means: Using the siwak is purification for the mouth and a means of seeking the acceptance of Allah.
The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him also said what means: Praying two Rak^ahs of the optional prayers after using the siwak is more rewardable than praying 70 Rak^ahs without using a siwak, Meaning that the reward of the prayer after using the siwak is greatly multiplied.
Among the great benefits of using the siwak is that:
1. It purifies the mouth, eliminates bad odors, eliminates phlegm and improves the sense of taste.
2. It strengthens the gums and prevents tooth decay.
3. It whitens the teeth.
4. It helps remind the dying person to utter the two testifications of faith.
5. Using it also helps one pronounce the Arabic letters correctly. This is important for the student seeking to learn the recitation of the holy Quran.
6. Other benefits include strengthening the eyesight, clearing the voice and aiding in digestion.
It is recommended to use the siwak before performing wudu, when the odor of one’s mouth changes after a lengthy period of silence, and when one wakes up and before performing the prayer.
Secondly, it is also the Sunnah of the prophet to wear “al-qalansuwah” and “Al-jalabiyah” which is the Garment, often referred to as “al-^abayah“. And the best colour to wear is white.
The messenger of Allahpeace be upon him said what means “Let your clothing be white in colour, as it is the best colour worn and shroud your dead with white clothes “.
It is also recommended to drink Zamzam water. The one who needs a particular matter to be fulfilled should drink Zamzam water with the intention of this need being fulfilled by the will of Allah. The Water of Zamzam has great benefits and blessings. When drinking Zamzam water it is recommended to say what means: “O Allah, it reached me that your Prophet peace be upon him said” ‘ Zamzam water is useful for whatever purpose it is drunk,’ I now drink it seeking the cure by it. So, O Allah, cure me and forgive me. O Allah, I ask you beneficial knowledge, wide sustenance, and cure from all afflictions”.
One should also remember to wear perfume (^utur) and as the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him said the best of perfume is the Musk. Our prophet peace be upon him himself had a great aroma without applying perfume. One of his wives used to take his sweat and mix it with her own perfume and that perfume would then increase in fragrance and aroma.
One should not forget to eat from the dates of Al-Madinah especially al-^ajwah. The Prophet sallalahu ^alayhi wasallam said what means that the one who eats in the morning seven dates of ^ajwah dates which are from a special place in Madinah would be protected from poison and sorcery for that day.
Finally, do not forget to ask those who performed Hajj this year to ask Allah for forgiveness for you, as the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said what means “O Allah forgive the one who performed pilgrimage( Hajj) and the one whom the pilgrim asks forgiveness for”.
O Allah, Have mercy upon us, grant us the ability to perform Hajj and ^umrah and to Visit the Grave of our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Ameen.
