Preserving the Spiritual Integrity of the Hajj Pilgrimage

Pilgrims in the Holy Land have completed the series of Hajj rituals. They are preparing to return to Indonesia bearing the status of a Hajj that is mabrur, with the reward of paradise. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, ‘And a Hajj that is mabrur, there is no fitting reward for it other than paradise’ (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim). Mabrur is the highest accolade in the performance of the Hajj pilgrimage and other acts of worship. Achieving the status of mabrur is not easy. Even if the mabrur accolade has been successfully attained, it does not automatically remain attached to the haji or hajjah for the rest of their life. Therefore, upon returning from the Holy Land, pilgrims should constantly strive to preserve the spiritual integrity of their Hajj. There are at least three aspects that must be observed. First, the aspect of personality. Every member of the Hajj congregation should continue to strive to perpetuate the practices they performed while in the Holy Land. For example, performing prayers on time in congregation, carrying out voluntary acts of worship, adorning oneself with praiseworthy traits, and promptly repenting if one happens to make a mistake. Second, the aspect of devotion. Every member of the Hajj congregation should continue to strive to improve the quality of their obligatory prayers, voluntary fasting, and recitation of the Qur’an. Likewise, they should maintain concern for those who are economically weak, through zakat, infak, sadaqah, and other charitable acts.