The Hadith Shareef declares that a person who inspite of having the means of performing Hajj and inspite of there being nothing to prevent him from so doing, but refrains from Hajj, may die a Jew or a Christian.

May Allah Ta'ala protect us from such a calamity.

A hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) states that a person who abstains from Hajj on account of a worldly purpose will see the Hujjaj returning before he has realized his aim. This means that either his motive will remain unfulfilled or its realization will be abnormally delayed. Postponing Hajj because of some wordly occupation or expediency is a deception of shaitan and an excuse which is not valid.

The hadith also says that the man who refrains from performing Hajj because of the love for wealth, will squander his wealth in vile activities of sin which countenance the displeasure of Allah Ta'ala. The miscreant should therefore reflect and realize that by abstaining from hajj, wealth is not protected or saved, but will necessarily be squandered in avenues of sin and in return the punishment of Allah Ta'ala will be purchased. One will remain deprived of the wonderful bounties of Allah Ta'ala by such destructive and thoughtless disobedience.

FADHA IL OF MAKKAH

On the occasion of Rasulullah's (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) departure from Makkah Mukarramah on the Hijrat (Migration) journey, he stood at Kharoorah and exclaimed:

"By Allah! O Makkah! I know well that I love you more than other cities of Allah Ta'ala. Most certainly, you are the best land on the surface of the earth and Allah Ta'ala loves you more than the entire surface of the earth. If the mushrikeen did not expel me, never would I have departed."

According to the hadith, the spread of the ground commenced from Makkah Mukarramah. Out of the ground of Makkah Mukarramah was created the whole earth. It is for this reason that Makkah Mukarramah is known as Ummul Qura (the mother of towns). History records that the graves of Nabi Ismail (alayhis salam) and of his mother, Hajirah (alayhas salaam) are located in the Hateem. Some say that their graves are located between Mizabe Rahmat and Babul Gharbi. The graves of Nabi Nooh, Nabi Hood, Nabi Shuaib and Nabi Salih (alahimus salam) are located between Zam Zam and Maqame Ibraheem. Within the vicinity surrounding the Ka'bah are the graves of 300 Ambiya (alahimus salam). Between Rukne Yamani and Rukne Aswad are the graves of 70 Ambiya (alayhimus salam).

The first beings who made tawaaf of the Ka'bah were those Malaikah (Angels) whom Allah Ta'ala created 2000 years before Nabi Adam (alayhis salam).

Any Angel whom Allah Ta'ala dispatches to execute some function or duty on earth, sets off on his journey from under the Arsh of Allah Ta'ala where he dons ihram. His first stop is the Ka'bah Shareef where he performs seven tawaaf. He then performs two raka'ts Salaat at Maqame Ibraheem. Only thereafter does he depart to execute whatever duty has been imposed on him.

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that besides Makkah Mukarramah there is no other place on the surface of the earth where 120 rahmats (mercies) descend daily. Of these, 60 mercies enshroud those who make tawaaf of Baitullah; 40 mercies descend upon those who who are engaged in Salaat and 20 mercies are for those who gaze at Baitullah Shareef.

The hadith shareef also says that a day's residence in the sacred city is superior to a lifetime's stay elsewhere and nobler than a lifetime of fasting and of greater hope in obtaining the Rahmat of Allah Ta'ala.

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that on the surface of the earth, Makkah Mukarramah is the only city for which all the Ambiya, Mursaleen, Malaikah and pious among man and jinn yearned. The one who enters Makkah Mukarramah and Madinah Tayyibah is purified from all forms of impurities in the same wa