Rekindling the Love for Hajj in Our Homes & Hearts

The Prophet (SAW) said:

“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (Dhul Hijjah).” [Sunan Ibn Majah]

It’s that time of the year again, one of the most blessed for Muslims worldwide. If we were not in the middle of a global pandemic, many would be packing bags, gathering dua’ lists, and seeking forgiveness from family and friends and getting ready to embark upon a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a journey that can be truly transformative.

Unlike the months of readiness taken in advance of Ramadan, Hajj preparations often tend to be exclusive to those making the pilgrimage. Much of the planning to bring the Hajj spirit alive into our homes, similar to how we do in Ramadan, remains absent.

How can we remedy this disconnect to light up our homes and hearts much sooner? With a restricted hajj this year, what will help us approach Hajj with the depth and appreciation worthy of the life-long lessons this season can teach us if we only allow it?

Here are some preliminary thoughts and suggestions:

1. Work towards better understanding the richness of the Hajj.

Hajj, linguistically, has the meaning of overcoming or defeating. One strives along an arduous path to reach the desired destination, in this case, the object of one’s pilgrimage – the Ka’abah, our universal direction of prayer (qibla), and the forever, beloved House of God.

It is typically a journey full of sweat and sacrifice, whether it be via the time, finances, or family vacations set aside to make the trip possible. Even then, it is not smooth sailing. There is a constant overcoming of daily struggles – the fatigue, the many tests of patience while maneuvering through crowds, the peculiar personalities one meets…, and the realization that Hajj essentially becomes what you make of it.

And what an apt realization for a journey permissible by invitation only! All of a sudden, pushing through mobs, the heat, and any and all unexpected challenges become worth undertaking. Sure, there may be tests, but Hajj in its essence entails overcoming, and what better way to show gratitude than to conquer our weaknesses during this short time?

Not all of us get invited at the times we desire. Thus, to be given this blessing and called upon by our Creator is a beautiful and timely gift. This understanding will surely awaken our hearts with the yearning to prepare even more adequately.

To better understand the rites and rituals behind Hajj, read Relevance of Rites and Rituals in Modern Age by Yaqeen Institute.

2. Realize that this journey is not bound by foot.

We are called to make Hajj first with our hearts before on foot. We long to be in the blessed, sacred lands of Makkah and Medina, but God’s timing requires us to wait until destined. As the saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step …,” and for those awaiting the invitation, our journey truly begins at home.

In these moments of anticipation – for many, years or even decades – our first step is to build upon our knowledge and understanding of the rites performed on Hajj. Much of this journey can oddly best be performed first at home while patiently awaiting our time. The pilgrimage of Hajj is so much more than simply traveling by foot, but rather a full-on journeying of the heart, mind, body, and soul.

Moreover, as the final of Islam’s five pillars of faith, Hajj symbolizes a summation of all preceding pillars. It is an active declaration – a lived tradition – of one’s testimony of faith with prayer at its core and grounded in endless sacrifice and spiritual purification. While circumambulating around the Ka’abah or performing rites in Mina, Arafah, and Muzdalifah, we pay tribute to our forefathers and attest to the richness of our past.

Through every unique act of worship, Hajj reminds us of our ultimate purpose – to live in complete submission to the Divine and center our lives upon Him.

3. Begin preparing for Hajj season soon after Eid Al-Fitr.

This may seem rather soon, especially after having just finished Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr celebrations, but what better way to keep that connected spirit alive than to prepare the heart and home for the next most blessed time of the year that Allah has gifted us? Hajj season arises within two months post-Ramadan, and if we are not mindful, the time will quickly pass us by. Much like the checklists used to ready our homes for Ramadan, the same can be done for Hajj.

Whether it is books read for our own personal understanding and growth or those we read for our children, our homes should be filled with all the Hajj cheer we can summon early on. We can put a pause on the daily social media perusal and focus our energies instead on investing into our personal growth.

Nowadays, learning materials abound in various mediums – books, articles, podcasts, board games, DIY craft activities and guides, and so much more. Yaqeen Institute this year released their Rediscovering Dhul-Hijjah Campaign with daily videos, ahadith, recommended charitable acts and good deeds. It was a great place to unlock daily goodies. If you missed it, you can watch the daily videos here.

There are also lectures, workshops, craft and story time activities organized by local mosques, which are often held right before Hajj. While these are timely, it is far more fruitful to begin our own preparations in advance. Local services can be the final boost to awaken our hearts, but hopefully not in lieu of extensive, at-home prep.

4. Plan out how you will spend the blessed first 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah

The first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah possess tremendous blessings. Whether you are on Hajj or not, there are definitely many things you can do to max out the rewards of these days.

Many of my WhatsApp groups have been buzzing with Dhul-Hijjah planning tips that offer ways to benefit from this time. Some include “Daily Checklists” to keep us on track, especially if we are attempting to fast during these days (a recommended act), perform Udhiya/Qurbani (the symbolic slaughtering of meat as a reminder of Prophet Ibraheem (AS), Ismail (AS), and Hagar (RA)’s sincere devotion to God), give extra in charity, and be more mindful of how we are living out these days.

Find out some recommendations on what to do during these blessed days here.

5. Make your homes festive for the season!

This comes as a final thought, not because of its insignificance, but due to the ease with which it can be enacted. The decorations we put up, and the beautiful ways we can light up our homes will carry much more meaning when they stem from a deepened place of understanding, preparedness, and love within our hearts! When we better understand the significance of the season we are celebrating, the celebrations will mean so much more, and our love for them and our Creator will insha’Allah grow.

This renewed intention and energy will surely rub off on loved ones and the little minds in our care. To see their little hearts more appreciative of the season is truly the best gift!

For ideas on Hajj and Eid home décor, gifts, and more, browse our Eid section, and find some special Eid recipes here.

What family traditions do you practice during the Hajj season with your little ones? Are there books you love to read, movies to watch, crafts to build, and/or recipes that you make solely during this blessed time? We hope you sent Eid Al-Adha cards to family and friends near and far!

We hope you and your families have an enlightening Hajj season. Hopefully, this period brings moments for quiet reflection, Divine remembrance, and deepened realizations. We pray you experienced your own Arafah within the confines of your home, cloaked in the ihram of fasting from all that displeases God, and in sincere, silent servitude. When you felt parched, we hope your thirst was quenched by the purest of Zamzam waters – a sweet gift for your heightened devotion and renewed commitment to God.

We pray all of our efforts were accepted this Hajj season and that we emerged with greater humility and love for the Divine. May the pilgrimage in our hearts continue and tether us steadfastly to our ultimate purpose, preparing us for the greatest invitation and most life-altering journey of our lives, insha’Allah. Allahumma Ameen!

An early Eid al-Adha Mubarak from your WithaSpin family!

P.S. If you’d like to integrate some future Hajj planning or have an organized place to write out your dua’s for Arafah, this planner may be a useful tool. And, for that friend or family member who is insha’Allah returning home soon with a Hajj Mabroor (an accepted Hajj), here’s a beautiful gift.