Hajj: Cleric urges prospective pilgrims to settle debt, imbibe patience

By Salisu Sani-Idris

An Abuja-based Islamic Cleric, Imam Yahya Al-Yolawi, has advised prospective pilgrims to settle all their debts before departing to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

Al-Yolawi, who is the Chief Imam of Area 10 Garki Abuja Jumma’ah Mosque, gave the advice in his Friday sermon, entitled “Tips on Hajj preparation”.

The cleric also enjoined prospective pilgrims to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and patience throughout the period of hajj.

According to him, the journey to hajj requires high level of patience as it is accompanied by difficulties, fatigue, physical and social abnormalities and intolerance from other pilgrims.

He admonished prospective pilgrims not to allow Shaitan (Devil) to hijack them and spoil their hajj out of ignorance or annoyance.

“A prospective pilgrims should settle his debs and leave behind him a clear record.

“He should as well either write all his Will or what he intends to pass on to his family as that may be his final journey.

“Allah says hajj is during well-known months, so whoever has made hajj obligatory upon himself therein by entering the state of ihram, there is to be for him no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during hajj.

“And whatever good you do – Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah.”

The cleric also advised prospective pilgrims to be healthy and prepare physically and financial, as these are very crucial in performing hajj.

“Do not waste your hajj time in vain chatting with people or playing games on smart phone.

“Do not push anyone when you are in a crowd. You do not have to go and climb the Mountain of Rahma in Arafah.

“Many people hurt themselves and others to be there even though it is not compulsory,” he said.

(NAN)