What is Hajj Mabroor and what are the signs of an accepted Hajj?

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Hajj is the fifth and one of the most important pillars of Islam. Irrespective of race and colour, each year, millions of Muslims come together on the premises of Masjid al-Haram, encircling the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform the annual pilgrimage. This act of worship leaves the entire globe in awe, given the unity on display. This is a tremendous blessing for the Hajis (pilgrims), as these chosen people are fortunate enough to be blessed with Allah's SWT special favours and are bestowed with such beautiful gifts in return that when Muslims who are not able to perform Hajj hear about them, they yearn to visit this sacred place. Here is everything you need to know about Hajj Mabroor. So, without any further ado, let's begin.

What Is Hajj Mabroor?

Derived from the Arabic word 'بِرٌّ,' "Mabroor," [مَبْرُور] means the aim to strengthen one's faith and gain closeness to Allah SWT through an act of obedience and great virtue. However, if we take a look at the Islamic schools of thought, there is more than one meaning of Hajj Mabroor. Some common definitions of the accepted Hajj are as follows:

• It is the pilgrimage during which one refrains from showing off, pretentiousness, and any kind of sin.
• It is the Hajj after the completion of which a person promises not to commit any sin till their last breath.
• Hajj Mabroor softens the heart of a person and reforms them to become a better Muslim.

According to the Holy Quran, [quranic_border]"Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all who can make their way to it…." [Holy Quran, Aal' Imran, 3:97][/quranic_border] According to a Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA), Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, [hadith_border]"The Umrah to the next Umrah is a kaffarah (expiation) of all sins one commits between them, and an accepted Haj (Al-Haj Al-Mabroor) is a supreme action, the reward for which is paradise."[/hadith_border] Sheikh Khalid adh-Dhufayree (AS) narrated that Sheikh Zaid al-Madkhalee (AS) said, [comment_box]"Al-Hajj al-Maboor is that which its performer's expenditure is wholesome, he possesses a sound Salafee creed, and it (i.e., his Hajj) is not contamination with sinful speech nor action."[/comment_box] In order to ensure that your Hajj is accepted, you must:

• Refrain from sins
• Perform Hajj from Halal (lawful) and Tahir (pure) wealth
• Should show goodness to other people
• Should talk to other pilgrims in a soft and polite tone
• Should share food with others
• Say Salam to people extensively

Signs of Hajj Mabroor

Wondering if your Hajj is accepted or not? The signs of Hajj Mabroor (an accepted pilgrimage) are as follows:

Sign 1 – Transformation

No matter how disobedient and sinful a person has been throughout their lives, an accepted Hajj transforms their souls and makes their hearts pure again. When a person fulfils all pilgrimage rituals with a pure heart and spends most of their time worshipping Allah SWT, by the end of Hajj, all religious obligations become a significant part of their lifestyle, and they commit to Allah SWT and to themselves to lead a pious and noble life thereon. Sayyidun Fudayl Bin Iyaad (RA) said to a Haji, [comment_box]"O Haji! Certainly,Allah SWT puts a stamp of Noor [light] on deed of a Haji; therefore, refrain from breaking this stamp by committing disobedience to Allah SWT." (Ar-Raud-ul-Faaiq, pp. 55)[/comment_box]

Sign 2 – Refrain from Sins

The most prominent sign of Hajj Mabroor is that it motivates one to abstain from sins throughout their life. The peaceful experience of pilgrimage revives and purifies one's heart. In simpler words, even after the pilgrimage, if one continues to carry out missed acts of worship and treat people in a bad way, their soul will start bearing the burden of the sins once again. Therefore, one must ensure to turn over a leaf and start a new life that is free from major and minor sins. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, [hadith_border]"Whoever performs Hajj for the pleasure of Allah and therein utters no word of evil, nor commits any evil deed, shall return from it (free from sin) as the day on which his mother gave birth to him." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) [/hadith_border]

Sign 3 – Aim to Become a Better Muslim

The basic sign of "Hajj Mabroor" is that one's life improves from bad to good upon their return. The pilgrim becomes completely punctual in carrying out Allah Almighty's commandments. Their love and inclination for the Hereafter grow while their passion for temporal pleasures declines. As a result, it is critical that the pilgrim keeps a close eye on their activities and does everything they can to have good character and avoid all forms of evil. They should make every effort to fulfil Allah's responsibilities and avoid all things prohibited by Him. [tip_box]In order to maintain spirituality after completing Hajj, one may wish to place extra priority into praying additional sunnah prayers and frequent dhikr and Quran recitation until it becomes pure habit.[/tip_box] Al-Hasan Al-Basari (RA) reported, [info_box]"The sign of this is to return (from Haj) renouncing this world and aspiring to the Hereafter."[/info_box] Sayyiduna Imam Muhammad Ghazali (RA) narrated that the Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT said, [hadith_border]"One of the signs of an accepted Hajj is that a Haji gives up all those acts of disobedience that he was indulged in the past, he quits the company of bad friends and keeps the company of pious people, he abandons the gatherings of sports and entertainments, and attends the gatherings of Zikr and Fikr (contemplation) and the gatherings in which the Zikr of Allah SWT and His Beloved Prophet (PBUH) is done abundantly." (Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 1, pp. 803) [/hadith_border]

Hajj Mabroor Quotes

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, [hadith_border]"The reward for Hajj Mabroor is nothing else but Jannah [Paradise]." (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 1, pp. 586, Hadees 1773)[/hadith_border] Aisha (RA) narrated that she once asked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), [hadith_border]"O Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT, us women consider jihad to be the best of actions. Should we not perform jihad?" He replied: "No. Rather, the best form of jihad is Hajj Mabroor."[/hadith_border] Sayyiduna Khuwajah Hasan Basri (RA) has stated: [hadith_border]"Hajj Maqbool is the one after which a Haji becomes uninterested in Dunya and interested in the matters of the Hereafter." (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 5, pp. 441; Fath-ul-Baari, vol. 4, pp. 329, That-al-Hadees: 1521)[/hadith_border] Sayyiduna Imam Muhammad Ghazali (RA) narrated that the Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT said, [hadith_border]"One of the signs of an accepted Hajj is that a Haji gives up all those acts of disobedience that he was indulged in the past, he quits the company of bad friends and keeps the company of pious people, he abandons the gatherings of sports and entertainments, and attends the gatherings of Zikr and Fikr (contemplation) and the gatherings in which the Zikr of Allah SWT and His Beloved Prophet (PBUH) is done abundantly." (Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 1, pp. 803) [/hadith_border]

What does Maqbool and Mabroor Mean?

Hajj Mabroor is the accepted Hajj, the pilgrimage that isn't mixed with any misdeed. The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT said, [hadith_border]Your content goes here"Verily there shall be no reward for an accepted Hajj except Jannah." (Al-Bukhari)[/hadith_border] Hajj Maqbool is the pilgrimage in which a person attains full reward. Once a person asked the beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), [hadith_border]"What is meant by Maqbool (accepted)?" It was replied, "The Hajj in which food is given, and good conversation is made." (Al-Mu'jam-ul-Awsat, vol. 6, pp. 173, Hadith 8405)[/hadith_border] [comment_box]Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates: "I heard the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) say, 'Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any Rafath (obscenity) or Fusooq (transgression), he returns (free from sin) as the day his mother bore him.'"[/comment_box]

What Is the Reward for an Accepted Hajj?

An accepted Hajj is a pilgrimage that is performed with utmost sincerity and devotion. The pilgrim uses their Halal earnings to pay for the Hajj. In addition, the reward for Hajj is that a pilgrim makes a commitment to themselves that they will abstain from all sins (major and minor) and try to live a better life. Allah SWT blesses the individual with not only forgiveness and worldly good, but paradise (Jannah) is guaranteed for those whose Hajj is accepted. According to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, [hadith_border]"The reward for Hajj Mabroor is nothing else but Jannah [Paradise]." (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 1, pp. 586, Hadees 1773) [/hadith_border] Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated, "I heard the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) say: [hadith_border]"Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah SWT and does not utter any obscene speech or do any evil deed, will go back (free of sin) as his mother bore him." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1449; Muslim, 1350)[/hadith_border] Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, [/hadith_border]"Whoever performs Hajj for the pleasure of Allah and therein utters no word of evil, nor commits any evil deed, shall return from it (free from sin) as the day on which his mother gave birth to him." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) [/hadith_border]

Summary - Hajj Mabroor

Hajj Mabroor is a pilgrimage that isn't mixed with any sins or wrongdoings. Accepted by Allah SWT, Hajj Mabroor changes a person's heart and soul for good, inspiring them to stick to their spiritual values for the rest of their lives and to try to become a better Muslim. So, if you have been blessed with the once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform the annual pilgrimage and are wondering if your Hajj is accepted, pay close attention to your actions before and after the pilgrimage. According to Islamic scriptures, if Allah SWT accepts your Hajj, your sins will be forgiven, you will refrain from misdeeds, and your heart will be as clean as it was the day you were born. Simply put, you will feel like the journey to the House of Allah SWT has reformed your soul for good.