7 Reasons to perform pilgrimage while young

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

For the young, here are a few reasons as written on Productive Muslim on why you should put your heart, efforts, and resources into making the journey to 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)

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 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 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 wills for that to happen.

4. The Supplication

One of the most prominent features of Hajj is supplication to Allah. 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.

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, the Most Generous.

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 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.

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.