August 10th (fri)
Today, 37 brothers and sisters, including the chairman of Masjid Nagoya, left Narita Airport for Hajj. Of them, 28 were recipients of the fully sponsored Hajj invitation that we called for applications in March (though 10 was the initial number given for possible recipients, 18 more were added due to the overwhelming number of applicants this year). May Allah shower His blessings tremendously on the philanthropist that sponsored their Hajj.
A basic and simple guide to Hajj, “ハッジのしおり(Hajj no shiori)”, was published by Masjid Nagoya and handed out to the Japanese participants. This includes a Hajj itinerary as well as Duas to read at every occasion necessary. Those that took part in producing this guide worked until the night before the pilgrims traveled. May these become useful to them, and may those that worked for its production be rewarded abundantly.
“The number of pilgrims that gather from around the world is astonishing. As various rituals are performed in this crowded situation, it is almost necessary to run into a trouble of some kind, and pilgrims must have the spirit of patience at all times. The extreme dryness of air and fatigue can weaken one’s immune system, causing many to experience a sore throat, and some ending up with high fever, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
However, every single pilgrim that go through this difficulty in completing the ritual, are all filled with happiness on their way back home. This is because those who fulfilled their obligation of performing Hajj, attain Allah’s forgiveness of sins up to that date, and are guaranteed Paradise.”
(Excerpt from a 2015 post, “Invitation to Hajj” (Translated))
The pilgrims of this year as well will perform Hajj the way the Prophet (SAW) did. They will do so bearing through the difficulties of heat, dryness of air, frustration, and fatigue. May Allah accept their struggles and efforts, and May He allow them all to safely return to Japan by the 1st of September.
Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “(The performance of) `Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.” (Al-Bukhari)
