A successful Haj pilgrimage

Thanks to Allah that nearly two million Muslims peacefully performed Haj this year. However, one needs to also thank the Kingdom for ensuring a well-organized pilgrimage in a safe, secure and healthy environment. Civil Defense personnel offering zamzam water to Hajis and visitors at the Grand Mosque on Eid day was a wonderful sight. Spraying of water through fans at the mosque, cool marble in the mataf and other areas of the mosque and clean and sparkling floors spoke volumes about the efforts of the Saudi government in serving pilgrims.
It may be mentioned here that around 1.3 million pilgrims from abroad are returning home — purified and enlightened. The annual pilgrimage is a special moment for Muslims as it enables them to feel close to Allah and teaches them the spirit of unity. It also reminds them of the day of judgment when all human beings will gather before Allah. On that day, people will be judged on the basis of piety, and nothing else. Everyone will know that in Islam, righteousness alone is the criterion of one’s superiority over another.
The Haj pilgrims must bear in mind that the pilgrimage has washed their sins and given them a chance to lead a life of piety. If after performing Haj, a person continues with sinful ways of life such as being cruel, miser or indifferent to fellow Muslims’ problems, then his/her Haj is not mabroor (not accepted by Allah). — Aamir Shaikh, By e-mail