The Excellence of Hajj and ‘Umrah, and the Reward Thereof

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَمَّ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ حَاجّاً أَوْ مُعْتَمِراً مُبَرَّأً مِنَ الْكِبْرِ رَجَعَ مِنْ ذُنُوبِهِ كَهَيْئَةِ يَوْمَ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ- فَمَنْ تَعَجَّلَ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ فَلا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ وَ مَنْ تَأَخَّرَ فَلا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ لِمَنِ اتَّقى‌[2] قُلْتُ مَا الْكِبْرُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّ أَعْظَمَ الْكِبْرِ غَمْصُ الْخَلْقِ وَ سَفَهُ الْحَقِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘My father would say, “One who decides to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah free of al-Kibr (arrogance) returns, in matters of sins, as the day his mother gave birth to him.’” He (the Imam) then read this, ‘On one who hastens during the two days, there is no sin, and on one who delays, there is n

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ ضَمَانُ الْحَاجِّ وَ الْمُعْتَمِرِ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنْ أَبْقَاهُ بَلَّغَهُ أَهْلَهُ وَ إِنْ أَمَاتَهُ أَدْخَلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Allah has undertaken the responsibility toward those who perform Hajj or ‘Umrah to join them with their families if He decides to keep them living, or admit them in paradise if He decides to cause them to die.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْحَجَّةُ ثَوَابُهَا الْجَنَّةُ وَ الْعُمْرَةُ كَفَّارَةٌ لِكُلِّ ذَنْبٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘The reward for performing Hajj is paradise and ‘Umrah is expiation for all sins.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي قَدْ وَطَّنْتُ نَفْسِي عَلَى لُزُومِ الْحَجِّ كُلَّ عَامٍ بِنَفْسِي أَوْ بِرَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي بِمَالِي فَقَالَ وَ قَدْ عَزَمْتَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ إِنْ فَعَلْتَ فَأَبْشِرْ بِكَثْرَةِ الْمَالِ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have settled my soul upon performing Hajj every year by myself or along with a man from my family with my expenses. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Is the decision you have made a firm one?’ I replied, ‘Yes, it is a firm decision.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If you have done so, I give you the

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْحُجَّاجُ يَصْدُرُونَ عَلَى ثَلَاثَةِ أَصْنَافٍ صِنْفٌ يُعْتَقُ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ صِنْفٌ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِهِ كَهَيْئَةِ يَوْمَ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَ صِنْفٌ يُحْفَظُ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَ مَالِهِ فَذَاكَ أَدْنَى مَا يَرْجِعُ بِهِ الْحَاجُّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Pilgrims (al-Hujjaj) are of three categories. Those in one group are set free from hellfire, the other group are made free of sins like their freedom from sin on the day their mother gave birth to them, and the third group consists of those who receive protection for their families an

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ يَذْكُرُ الْحَجَّ فَقَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص هُوَ أَحَدُ الْجِهَادَيْنِ هُوَ جِهَادُ الضُّعَفَاءِ وَ نَحْنُ الضُّعَفَاءُ أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ‌ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْحَجِّ إِلَّا الصَّلَاةُ وَ فِي الْحَجِّ لَهَاهُنَا صَلَاةٌ وَ لَيْسَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ قِبَلَكُمْ حَجٌّ لَا تَدَعِ الْحَجَّ وَ أَنْتَ تَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ أَ مَا تَرَى أَنَّهُ يَشْعَثُ رَأْسُكَ وَ يَقْشَفُ‌[1]

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), speaking of Hajj, say, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “It (Hajj) is one of the two kinds of Jihad (striving for a cause). This is the Jihad for the weak ones and we are the weak ones.

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا يُحَالِفُ الْفَقْرُ وَ الْحُمَّى مُدْمِنَ الْحَجِّ وَ الْعُمْرَةِ[4].

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Chronic poverty and fever cannot come with al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah.’””

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْحَاجَّ إِذَا أَخَذَ فِي جَهَازِهِ‌[5]- لَمْ يَخْطُ خُطْوَةً فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ جَهَازِهِ إِلَّا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ عَشْرَ حَسَنَاتٍ وَ مَحَا عَنْهُ عَشْرَ سَيِّئَاتٍ وَ رَفَعَ لَهُ عَشْرَ دَرَجَاتٍ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنْ جَهَازِهِ مَتَى مَا فَرَغَ فَإِذَا اسْتَقْبَلَتْ بِهِ رَاحِلَتُهُ لَمْ تَضَعْ خُفّاً وَ لَمْ تَرْفَعْهُ إِلَّا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَ

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, ‘When a pilgrim prepares his supplies for Hajj, for every step that he walks for the preparation, Allah, the Most Majestic and Most Glorious, writes down for him ten good deeds, deletes ten sins and raises for him ten degrees until his preparation is complete, whenever it happens. When h

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع لِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ صَارَ الْحَاجُّ لَا يُكْتَبُ عَلَيْهِ الذَّنْبُ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَبَاحَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ الْحَرَمَ فِي أَرْبَعَةِ أَشْهُرٍ إِذْ يَقُولُ‌ فَسِيحُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ‌ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ[2] ثُمَّ وَهَبَ لِمَنْ يَحُجُّ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الْبَيْتَ الذُّنُوبَ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘For what reason is no sin written against a pilgrim for four months?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, granted permission to the pagans in al-Haram area for four months as He has said, ‘You can move in the land for four months.’ (9:2) Thereafter H

الْحَاجُّ لَا يَزَالُ عَلَيْهِ نُورُ الْحَجِّ مَا لَمْ يُلِمَّ بِذَنْبٍ‌[3].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a pilgrim continues to live with the light of al-Hajj until he commits sins again and again.’”

سَمِعْتُ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَابِعُوا بَيْنَ الْحَجِّ وَ الْعُمْرَةِ فَإِنَّهُمَا يَنْفِيَانِ الْفَقْرَ وَ الذُّنُوبَ كَمَا يَنْفِي الْكِيرُ خَبَثَ الْحَدِيدِ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Perform al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah consecutively; they remove poverty and sins just as al-Kir (a bellowing kiln) removes impurities from iron.’””

الْحَجُّ وَ الْعُمْرَةُ سُوقَانِ مِنْ أَسْوَاقِ الْآخِرَةِ اللَّازِمُ لَهُمَا فِي ضَمَانِ اللَّهِ إِنْ أَبْقَاهُ أَدَّاهُ إِلَى عِيَالِهِ وَ إِنْ أَمَاتَهُ أَدْخَلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah are two market places (that deal with the merchandise) of the next life. Those who attach themselves to these two are part of the undertaking of Allah. He returns them to their families if He decides to keep them living, or admits them in paradise if He decide

الْحَاجُّ وَ الْمُعْتَمِرُ وَفْدُ اللَّهِ إِنْ سَأَلُوهُ أَعْطَاهُمْ وَ إِنْ دَعَوْهُ أَجَابَهُمْ وَ إِنْ شَفَعُوا شَفَّعَهُمْ وَ إِنْ سَكَتُوا ابْتَدَأَهُمْ وَ يُعَوَّضُونَ بِالدِّرْهَمِ أَلْفَ أَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that people who perform al-Hajj or al-‘Umrah are delegates before Allah. If they ask Him for help, He grants their wishes; if they pray, He answers their prayers; if they intercede on behalf of someone, their intercession is honored; if they remain silent, He initiates and He compensate

دِرْهَمٌ تُنْفِقُهُ فِي الْحَجِّ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ عِشْرِينَ أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ تُنْفِقُهَا فِي حَقٍّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one dirham that you spend for Hajj is better than twenty thousand dirham which you spent for a truth (a right).”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ مِنَ الْحَجِّ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الْعِيَالُ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِذَا مِتَّ فَمَنْ لِعِيَالِكَ أَطْعِمْ عِيَالَكَ الْخَلَّ وَ الزَّيْتَ وَ حُجَّ بِهِمْ كُلَّ سَنَةٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked, ‘What prevents you from performing Hajj every year?’ I replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause; my dependents prevent me from performing Hajj.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If you die who will be there for your dependents? You should feed your dependents vinegar a

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ بَادِرُوا بِالسَّلَامِ عَلَى الْحَاجِّ وَ الْمُعْتَمِرِ وَ مُصَافَحَتِهِمْ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تُخَالِطَهُمُ الذُّنُوبُ.

'Ali ibn al-Hussein (peace be upon them) used to say: 'Be prompt in greeting the pilgrims and the umrah performers, and shake hands with them before sins mix with them.'

الْحَاجُّ وَ الْمُعْتَمِرُ فِي ضَمَانِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ مَاتَ مُتَوَجِّهاً غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ذُنُوبَهُ وَ إِنْ مَاتَ مُحْرِماً بَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ مُلَبِّياً وَ إِنْ مَاتَ بِأَحَدِ الْحَرَمَيْنِ بَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْآمِنِينَ وَ إِنْ مَاتَ مُنْصَرِفاً غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ جَمِيعَ ذُنُوبِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the pilgrim’s performing al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah is part of the undertaking of Allah. If he dies when on his way, Allah forgives his sins. If he dies in the state of Ihram, Allah raises him saying Talbiyah (here I am O Lord, to obey Your command). If he dies in one of the two sacred

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَا وَقَفَ أَحَدٌ فِي تِلْكَ الْجِبَالِ إِلَّا اسْتُجِيبَ لَهُ فَأَمَّا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ فَيُسْتَجَابُ لَهُمْ فِي آخِرَتِهِمْ وَ أَمَّا الْكُفَّارُ فَيُسْتَجَابُ لَهُمْ فِي دُنْيَاهُمْ.

“I once heard al-Rida (a.s.), say, ‘No one has stood in those hills without their prayers answered. The believing people’s prayers are answered in the matters of their next life, and the unbeliever’s prayers are answered in their worldly matters.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَخَذَ النَّاسُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ بِمِنًى نَادَى مُنَادٍ يَا مِنَى قَدْ جَاءَ أَهْلُكِ فَاتَّسِعِي فِي فِجَاجِكِ وَ اتْرَعِي فِي مَثَابِكِ‌[2] وَ مُنَادٍ يُنَادِي لَوْ تَدْرُونَ بِمَنْ حَلَلْتُمْ لَأَيْقَنْتُمْ بِالْخَلَفِ بَعْدَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When people take their places in Mina, an announcer announces, “O Mina, your people have come, so expand your open fields to fill up your ponds.” And another announcer announces, ‘Had you known who your host is, you would become certain of al- Khalaf (reward) after forgiveness.’”

فَفِرُّوا إِلَى اللَّهِ‌ إِنِّي لَكُمْ مِنْهُ نَذِيرٌ مُبِينٌ‌[3]- قَالَ حُجُّوا إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘The words of Allah, ‘’Flee to Allah,’ I am the one who clearly warns you about Him’ (51:50), means, perform Hajj for Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious.”

إِذَا أَخَذَ النَّاسُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ بِمِنًى نَادَى مُنَادٍ لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ بِفِنَاءِ مَنْ حَلَلْتُمْ لَأَيْقَنْتُمْ بِالْخَلَفِ بَعْدَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when people take their places in Mina, an announcer announces, ‘Had you known in whose neighborhood you have disembarked, you would become certain of receiving rewards after forgiveness.’”

كُنْتُ أَحُجُّ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي سَنَةٍ شَدِيدَةٍ أَصَابَ النَّاسَ فِيهَا جَهْدٌ[1] فَقَالَ لِي أَصْحَابِي لَوْ نَظَرْتَ إِلَى مَا تُرِيدُ أَنْ تَحُجَّ الْعَامَ بِهِ فَتَصَدَّقْتَ بِهِ كَانَ أَفْضَلَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُمْ وَ تَرَوْنَ ذَلِكَ قَالُوا نَعَمْ قَالَ فَتَصَدَّقْتُ تِلْكَ السَّنَةَ بِمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَحُجَّ بِهِ وَ أَقَمْتُ قَالَ فَرَأَيْتُ رُؤْيَا لَيْلَةَ عَرَفَةَ وَ قُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ ل

“I would perform Hajj every year. One year in which people suffered severe hardships, my people told me to consider my performing Hajj that year; that I should instead of spending for Hajj, give it in charity. It can be more beneficial than performing Hajj. I then asked them, ‘Do you think that is right?’ They replied,

أَنْ تَغِيبَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَا بِلَالُ قُلْ لِلنَّاسِ فَلْيُنْصِتُوا فَلَمَّا نَصَتُوا[1] قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ تَطَوَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ فَغَفَرَ لِمُحْسِنِكُمْ وَ شَفَّعَ مُحْسِنَكُمْ فِي مُسِيئِكُمْ فَأَفِيضُوا مَغْفُوراً لَكُمْ قَالَ وَ زَادَ غَيْرُ الثُّمَالِيِّ أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِلَّا أَهْلَ التَّبِعَاتِ- فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَدْلٌ يَأْخُذُ لِلضَّعِيفِ مِنَ الْقَوِيِّ فَلَمَّ

“A man once said to Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), ‘You have given up Jihad because it is harsh, but you have attached yourself to Hajj because it is comfortable.’ He (the Imam) who was leaning sat up straight and said, ‘Fie upon you. Have you not heard what the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad an

لَمَّا أَفَاضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص تَلَقَّاهُ أَعْرَابِيٌّ بِالْأَبْطَحِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي خَرَجْتُ أُرِيدُ الْحَجَّ فَعَاقَنِي‌[3] وَ أَنَا رَجُلٌ مَيِّلٌ يَعْنِي كَثِيرَ الْمَالِ فَمُرْنِي أَصْنَعُ فِي مَالِي مَا أَبْلُغُ بِهِ مَا يَبْلُغُ بِهِ الْحَاجُّ قَالَ فَالْتَفَتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِلَى أَبِي قُبَيْسٍ فَقَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ أَبَا قُبَيْسٍ لَكَ زِنَتَهُ ذَهَبَةٌ حَمْرَاءُ أَنْفَقْتَهُ فِي سَبِيلِ

“He (the Imam) has said, that when the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, left an Arab came to him in al- Abtah and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I wanted to perform Hajj but something prevented me. I am a wealthy person. Command me to do so

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ دُفِنَ فِي الْحَرَمِ أَمِنَ مِنَ الْفَزَعِ الْأَكْبَرِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ مِنْ بَرِّ النَّاسِ وَ فَاجِرِهِمْ قَالَ مِنْ بَرِّ النَّاسِ وَ فَاجِرِهِمْ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘One who is buried in al-Haram is immune from the great terrifying event.’ I (the narrator) asked him, ’Does it apply to both people of good and evil deeds?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’Yes, it applies to both kinds of people.’”

إِنَّ أَدْنَى مَا يَرْجِعُ بِهِ الْحَاجُّ الَّذِي لَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهُ أَنْ يُحْفَظَ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَ مَالِهِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ بِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يُحْفَظُ فِيهِمْ قَالَ لَا يَحْدُثُ فِيهِمْ إِلَّا مَا كَانَ يَحْدُثُ فِيهِمْ وَ هُوَ مُقِيمٌ مَعَهُمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the least with which a pilgrim, whose Hajj is not accepted, returns is safety of his family and property at home.” I (the narrator) then asked, ‘What kind of thing is this safety?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’Nothing will happen to them except things that may happen during his presence

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْحَجُّ جِهَادُ الضَّعِيفِ‌[1] ثُمَّ وَضَعَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَدَهُ فِي صَدْرِ نَفْسِهِ وَ قَالَ نَحْنُ الضُّعَفَاءُ وَ نَحْنُ الضُّعَفَاءُ.

Al-Hajj is Jihad (hard work for the cause of Allah) of the weak people.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then placed his hand on his chest and said, ‘We are the weak people, (we) are weak.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أَحُجُّ سَنَةً وَ شَرِيكِي سَنَةً قَالَ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ مِنَ الْحَجِّ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ قُلْتُ لَا أَتَفَرَّغُ لِذَلِكَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَتَصَدَّقُ بِخَمْسِمِائَةٍ مَكَانَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ الْحَجُّ أَفْضَلُ قُلْتُ أَلْفٍ قَالَ الْحَجُّ أَفْضَلُ قُلْتُ فَأَلْفٍ وَ خَمْسِمِائَةٍ قَالَ الْحَجُّ أَفْضَلُ قُلْتُ أَلْفَيْنِ قَالَ أَ فِي أَلْفَيْكَ طَوَافُ الْبَيْتِ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ أَ فِي

I said to Abu Abdillah al-Sadiq (as), "I go for Hajj one year, and my partner goes the next year." He (Abu Abdullah) asked, "What prevents you from performing Hajj, O Ibrahim?" I replied, "I am not free to do so, may I be your ransom, so I give 500 in charity instead." He said, "Hajj is better." I said, "What if I give

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌ قَالَ لِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مَيْمُونٍ كُنْتُ جَالِساً عِنْدَ أَبِي حَنِيفَةَ فَجَاءَهُ رَجُلٌ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَالَ مَا تَرَى فِي رَجُلٍ قَدْ حَجَّ حَجَّةَ الْإِسْلَامِ الْحَجُّ أَفْضَلُ أَمْ يُعْتِقُ رَقَبَةً فَقَالَ لَا بَلْ عِتْقُ رَقَبَةٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَذَبَ وَ اللَّهِ وَ أَثِمَ لَحَجَّةٌ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ عِتْقِ رَقَبَةٍ وَ رَقَبَةٍ وَ رَقَبَةٍ حَتَّى عَدَّ عَشْراً ثُمّ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ibrahim ibn Maymun told him that he was once sitting in the meeting of abu Hanifah. A man came and asked him (abu Hanifah), ‘What do you think of a man who has performed Hajjahta al-Islam? Is al-Hajj better or setting free of a slave?’ He (abu Hanifah) replied, ‘No, setting free a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ حَجَّةٌ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ عِتْقِ سَبْعِينَ رَقَبَةً فَقُلْتُ مَا يَعْدِلُ الْحَجَّ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ مَا يَعْدِلُهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَدِرْهَمٌ وَاحِدٌ فِي الْحَجِّ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ أَلْفَيْ أَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ فِيمَا سِوَاهُ مِنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ خَرَجْتُ عَلَى نَيِّفٍ وَ سَبْعِينَ بَعِيراً وَ بِضْعَ عَشْرَةَ دَابَّةً وَ لَقَدِ اشْتَرَيْتُ سُوداً أُكَثِّرُ بِهَا الْعَدَدَ[1] وَ لَ

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Al-Hajj is better than setting free of seventy slaves/ I then asked, ‘Is there anything equal to al-Hajj?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘No other thing is equal to al- Hajj. Spending one dirham for al-Hajj is better than spending two million dirhams for the cause of Allah, which is other

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ حَجَّةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ بَيْتٍ مَمْلُوءٍ ذَهَباً يُتَصَدَّقُ بِهِ حَتَّى يَفْنَى.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One Hajj is better than spending a whole house full of gold in charity until it is finished.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا وَ رَبِّ هَذِهِ الْبَنِيَّةِ لَا يُخَالِفُ مُدْمِنَ الْحَجِّ بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ حُمَّى وَ لَا فَقْرٌ أَبَداً[2].

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘I swear by the Lord of this House that one constantly visiting this House does not suffer from fever and poverty.’”

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ أَبِي حَدَّثَنِي عَنْ آبَائِكَ ع أَنَّهُ قِيلَ لِبَعْضِهِمْ إِنَّ فِي بِلَادِنَا مَوْضِعَ رِبَاطٍ[3] يُقَالُ لَهُ قَزْوِينُ وَ عَدُوّاً يُقَالُ لَهُ الدَّيْلَمُ فَهَلْ مِنْ جِهَادٍ أَوْ هَلْ مِنْ رِبَاطٍ فَقَالَ عَلَيْكُمْ بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ فَحُجُّوهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ فَأَعَادَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَدِيثَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ كُلَّ ذَلِكَ يَقُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ فَحُجُّوهُ ثُمَّ

“I once said to al-Rida (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. My father has narrated to me from your ancestors, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, that it was said to one of them, ‘In our country there is a station for travelers called Qazvin and enemies called al-Daylam. Is it obligatory to fight and arm

الْحَجُّ وَ الْعُمْرَةُ سُوقَانِ مِنْ أَسْوَاقِ الْآخِرَةِ وَ الْعَامِلُ بِهِمَا فِي‌ جِوَارِ اللَّهِ إِنْ أَدْرَكَ مَا يَأْمُلُ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ وَ إِنْ قَصُرَ بِهِ أَجَلُهُ‌ وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ‌.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah are market places for the next life in which the workers are neighbors of Allah. If they find what they hope, Allah grants them forgiveness, but if the appointed time for his death did not give him a chance, the reward for him remains with Allah.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ حِجَجٌ تَتْرَى وَ عُمَرٌ تُسْعَى يَدْفَعْنَ عَيْلَةَ الْفَقْرِ وَ مِيتَةَ السَّوْءِ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Perform al-Hajj repeatedly and al-‘Umrah assiduously (or after every nine days). This expels the burden of poverty and death in wickedness.’”

أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص رَجُلَانِ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ ثَقِيفٍ فَقَالَ الثَّقِيفِيُّ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ حَاجَتِي فَقَالَ سَبَقَكَ أَخُوكَ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي عَلَى ظَهْرِ سَفَرٍ وَ إِنِّي عَجْلَانُ وَ قَالَ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ إِنِّي قَدْ أَذِنْتُ لَهُ فَقَالَ إِنْ شِئْتَ سَأَلْتَنِي وَ إِنْ شِئْتَ نَبَّأْتُكَ فَقَالَ نَبِّئْنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ جِئْتَ تَسْأَلُنِي

37. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once, two men came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of thei

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مَا يَقِفُ أَحَدٌ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْجِبَالِ بَرٌّ وَ لَا فَاجِرٌ إِلَّا اسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ لَهُ فَأَمَّا الْبَرُّ فَيُسْتَجَابُ لَهُ فِي آخِرَتِهِ وَ دُنْيَاهُ وَ أَمَّا الْفَاجِرُ فَيُسْتَجَابُ لَهُ فِي دُنْيَاهُ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘All of the people who stay in those hills, good or evil, Allah answers them all. People of good deed receive answers for the worldly and the hereafter and the people of evil deeds receive answer to their worldly matters.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْحَاجُّ ثَلَاثَةٌ فَأَفْضَلُهُمْ نَصِيباً رَجُلٌ غُفِرَ لَهُ ذَنْبُهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْهُ وَ مَا تَأَخَّرَ وَ وَقَاهُ اللَّهُ عَذَابَ الْقَبْرِ وَ أَمَّا الَّذِي يَلِيهِ فَرَجُلٌ غُفِرَ لَهُ ذَنْبُهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْهُ وَ يَسْتَأْنِفُ الْعَمَلَ فِيمَا بَقِيَ مِنْ عُمُرِهِ وَ أَمَّا الَّذِي يَلِيهِ فَرَجُلٌ حُفِظَ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَ مَالِهِ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Al-H’ajj (people who perform al-Hajj) are of three kinds. The one with the best share is one all of whose sins, those of the past and those to come are forgiven, and Allah protects him agai

الْحَاجُّ عَلَى ثَلَاثَةِ أَصْنَافٍ صِنْفٌ يُعْتَقُ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ صِنْفٌ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِهِ كَهَيْئَةِ يَوْمَ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَ صِنْفٌ يُحْفَظُ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَ مَالِهِ وَ هُوَ أَدْنَى مَا يَرْجِعُ بِهِ الْحَاجُّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that al-H’ajj (people performing al-Hajj) are of three kinds. One group is set free from hellfire, one group comes out of their sin to become free of sins like the day they were just born, and one group receives protection for themselves, their family and property, and this is the least

مَا مِنْ سَفَرٍ أَبْلَغَ فِي لَحْمٍ وَ لَا دَمٍ وَ لَا جِلْدٍ وَ لَا شَعْرٍ مِنْ سَفَرِ مَكَّةَ وَ مَا أَحَدٌ يَبْلُغُهُ حَتَّى تَنَالَهُ الْمَشَقَّةُ.

41. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Hisham ibn al-Hakam who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that no other journey affects one’s flesh, blood, skin and hair more than the journey to Makkah. No one reaches it (the journey) without facing hardships.’”

إِذَا أَخَذَ النَّاسُ مَوَاطِنَهُمْ بِمِنًى نَادَى مُنَادٍ مِنْ قِبَلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنْ أَرَدْتُمْ أَنْ أَرْضَى فَقَدْ رَضِيتُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when people take their places in Mina, an announcer from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, announces, ‘If you wish that I will be happy with you, I have become happy with you.’”

قَالَ: إِذَا أَخَذَ النَّاسُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ بِمِنًى نَادَى مُنَادٍ لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ بِفِنَاءِ مَنْ حَلَلْتُمْ لَأَيْقَنْتُمْ بِالْخَلَفِ بَعْدَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ.

‘When people take their places in Mina, an announcer announces, “Had you known in whose courtyard have you disembarked, you would have become certain of receiving compensation after having received forgiveness.’””

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَشِيَّةً مِنَ الْعَشِيَّاتِ وَ نَحْنُ بِمِنًى وَ هُوَ يَحُثُّنِي عَلَى الْحَجِّ وَ يُرَغِّبُنِي فِيهِ يَا سَعِيدُ أَيُّمَا عَبْدٍ رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ رِزْقاً مِنْ رِزْقِهِ فَأَخَذَ ذَلِكَ الرِّزْقَ فَأَنْفَقَهُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وَ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ ثُمَّ أَخْرَجَهُمْ قَدْ ضَحَاهُمْ بِالشَّمْسِ‌[2] حَتَّى يَقْدَمَ بِهِمْ عَشِيَّةَ عَرَفَةَ إِلَى الْمَوْقِفِ فَيَقِيلَ أَ لَمْ تَرَ فُرَجاً تَكُونُ

“During one of the evenings when we were in Mina, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), encouraging and urging me to perform al-Hajj, said, ‘O Sa‘id, there is a servant of Allah to whom Allah has granted sustenance from His wealth. He takes from such sustenance the expenditures for himself and his family and then takes them on a jour

مَنْ مَاتَ فِي طَرِيقِ مَكَّةَ ذَاهِباً أَوْ جَائِياً أَمِنَ مِنَ الْفَزَعِ الْأَكْبَرِ- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if one dies on the way to or from Makkah, he receives immunity against the terror of the Day of Judgment.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ جَاءَهُ رَجُلٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ أَبُو الْوَرْدِ- فَقَالَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّكَ لَوْ كُنْتَ أَرَحْتَ بَدَنَكَ مِنَ الْمَحْمِلِ‌[1] فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا أَبَا الْوَرْدِ إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَشْهَدَ الْمَنَافِعَ الَّتِي قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- لِيَشْهَدُوا مَنافِعَ لَهُمْ‌[2] إِنَّهُ لَا يَشْهَدُهَا أَحَدٌ إِلَّا نَفَعَهُ اللَّه

“I once was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man called abu al-Ward came and said to ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘May Allah be kind to you. I wish you to allow yourself to rest by the comfort of al-Mahmil (the carriage carried on camel backs).’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘O abu al-Ward, I love to be present for the benefits

إِذَا كَانَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ شَأْنِهِ الْحَجُّ كُلَّ سَنَةٍ ثُمَّ تَخَلَّفَ سَنَةً فَلَمْ يَخْرُجْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ الَّذِينَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ لِلَّذِينَ عَلَى الْجِبَالِ لَقَدْ فَقَدْنَا صَوْتَ فُلَانٍ فَيَقُولُونَ اطْلُبُوهُ فَيَطْلُبُونَهُ فَلَا يُصِيبُونَهُ فَيَقُولُونَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ حَبَسَهُ دَيْنٌ فَأَدِّ عَنْهُ أَوْ مَرَضٌ فَاشْفِهِ أَوْ فَقْرٌ فَأَغْنِهِ أَوْ حَبْسٌ فَفَرِّجْ عَنْهُ أَوْ فِعْلٌ فَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who normally attends al-Hajj every year, then he lags behind and does not go for al-Hajj one year, the angels on land say to those in the mountains, ‘We miss hearing the voice of so and so.’ They then say, ‘Allow us to search for him.’ They search but do not find him and they s

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص يَقُولُ‌ يَا مَعْشَرَ مَنْ لَمْ يَحُجَّ اسْتَبْشِرُوا بِالْحَاجِّ وَ صَافِحُوهُمْ وَ عَظِّمُوهُمْ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يَجِبُ عَلَيْكُمْ تُشَارِكُوهُمْ فِي الْأَجْرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘O people who have not performed al-Hajj, spread good news about al-H’ajj (people performing al-Hajj), shake hands with them, consider them great people; it is necessary for you to share with them in matters of the reward.”