About 2.5 million Muslims performed Pilgrimage in 2009, but only few thousand people would have obtained the honor of pleasing Allah, the Almighty. The pilgrimage of the rest would have not been accepted due to their evil deeds. Though they would have thought that Allah, the Arbitrator, would have not considered what they have done with their Muslim brothers.

• Lending money

Someone is not returning the borrowed money and making the one sick, who lend him, but the one will go to Hajj. Imagining that Allah, the Arbitrator, will forgive his sins and he will enter heaven. But Allah, the Majestic, will smack all the sufferings of Pilgrimage on his face due to not returning the borrowed money.

As One day Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) gazed at the sky and his holy face turned sadder. His companions (R.A) didn’t ask at that time, but posed the question next day that what concerned him. He said that he came to know about those, who lend money but do not return. Even if they are martyred, they will not enter heaven until their borrowed money is not paid back.

• Occupying the land

Someone would have illegally occupied a plot etc, but will go to Hajj expecting forgiveness, Allah, the utterly Just, will never count his tears but the tears of the one, who lost his land.

The Noble Prophet Muhammad says, “Those who illegally occupies the land even few inch. On the judgment day, that part of land will be converted in a very big land and that will be put on his neck.” Whether one goes to Hajj with the money of that plot or by other means, in both cases the one will be in the hell.

• Intoxicating people

Someone sells vine, opium, hashish, brown sugar, but when the one seems his end near, goes to Pilgrimage, expecting forgiveness even behalf on this that he aggravate Allah’s beloved humans. Whom Allah loves more than 70 times a mother loves her child. Allah, the Fashioner of forms says, “Don’t take alcohol and that every type of stuff, which intoxicate you.”

The Noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) says that do not offer prayer after drinking. Therefore, if someone drinks and don’t offers prayer, the sin will not only be written in his account, but in the account of the one, who intoxicate him.

• Killing innocent people

Someone would have killed innocent people but in the end, the one will offer Hajj, anticipating that Allah will enter him in heaven. Allah, the Fashioner of forms, says, “Killing a single human is alike killing the whole humankind” So how in the hell will Allah forgive him? Killing human is the second worst sin after shirk (thinking of someone to be the son of Allah, or equal to Allah, the one).

• Dealing in interest

Someone deals in interest for the whole life. After retirement, the one performs Pilgrimage expecting that Allah, The all-Compelling Subduer, will forgive his outstanding sin about which Prophet Muhammad S.A.W says, “Those who deals in interest will be in the hell.” Interest is one of the major sins according to Islam. There are many Ahadeeth and Quranic verses concerning the punishments.

• Storing and adulterating food

Someone will earn money by illegal business like storing or adulterating food for increasing the profit. Due to which, every body will effect but especially poor. As nowadays, every thing has gone up and due to the storage of items, many people are not able to take balance diet. Due to adulterating food items, health of the people has badly affected. The responsible one will perform Hajj for washing his sins, but as no body can deceive Allah, the all Determiner, therefore Allah, the Powerful, the Irresistible, will wash the one’s sins in the hell. As the Noble Prophet Muhammad says, “Those, who store food (for increasing its price), will be entered in the hell by Allah, the Almighty. About adulterating, our dearest Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) says, “Those who adulterate, are not among us (are not my followers).

So therefore, we should plan about our income first. If we eat by means of illegal earnings, if we drink and bath by illegal means, if we wear ill gotten, how will Allah, accept our worships?  Prophet Muhammad, The merciful (peace be upon him and his family) says, “That flesh and blood, which is made of ill-gotten, will not enter the heaven.”

However, I am not saying that you should not perform Hajj because you may change after offering this reforming worship. Allah, the all Forgiving; may forgive your sins if you return what you have taken and if you give away, which you have earned illegally. You should also promise Allah, the most Merciful, that you would never commit the particular sin again.

Now Hajj is coming again this year 2010 and Hajj flights starts as well from around the world. This is such an act that most of the Muslims have their wish to go to Makkah to perform Pilgrim. May Allah give reward to all the people who are going to Hajj this year. I just want to give them best wishes. May Allah also give us power to perform hajj as well.

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Advice to Pilgrims:

IslamConcepts started with an aim to educate people about Islam despite the fact that they are Muslims or Non-Muslims. So Now we are just starting a series of resources on Hajj to tell pilgrims what they should do and what are the requirements while doing hajj to make them best in what they are doing. To let them know the benefits of Pilgrim so they will perform with more motivation. To teach them basic and advance level things. As performing Hajj is not a thing that we will do it again and again. It is most commonly a one time act so try to make it as good as possible and do your best to happy your lord who gave you such an opportunity and honor that everyone should not able to.

So at the end I just want to say Mubarak to all the hajjaj who are going for Hajj 2010. Take good care of your health and also go with intention that this might be your last Hajj and you might not able to come to holy city Makkah again, might not able to see Khana Kabba, Prophet Muhammad Roza-tul Mubarak, not able to drink Zamzam water and most importantly you will not get such kind of sawab (deeds) from Almighty Allah.

Try to surf your most time in prayers of all kind in Khana Kabba. To summarize it, just do best as possible as you can.

I’ll not go in deep in this article. I’ll publish further articles in details from tomorrow and recommend all of you to read them whether you are going to perform pilgrim this year or in afterward.

Also don’t forget to leave your opinion in comment box. If you have any query let us know, our specialist will try to help you regarding any issue to make your Hajj really fruitful.

Laylatul-Qadr (the most valuable night) falls during the last ten odd nights of Ramadan. According to our knowledge from Ahaadith, it can be 21^st, 23^rd, 25^th, 27th, or 29^th night of Ramadan. But mostly believe that its 27th, night of Ramadan. Virtues of Laylatul-Qadar are so much that it requires thousands of words.  But Allah summarizes its power in just 5 verses. Allah revealed Surat-ul Qadar, about this, “Night of fortune”, in these words:

“In the name of Allah the beneficent, the Merciful”, we have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of power”. (Surat-ul Qadar; 1)

Reference here is made to the fact that on this special night, the Holy Quran sent down from the heaven, to the earth. In the very next verse by way of drawing and increasing our interest in the matter under discussion, a question asked:

“And what will explain to you, what the Night of power is” (surat-ul Qadar,2)

In other words, the question asked here is; Have you any knowledge as to the greatness and the great importance of this night? Than in next verse, Allah gives its answer in these words.

“The Night of power is better than a thousand months” (Surat-ul Qadar,3)

Here the greatness of this night shows, that its better than thousand nights, and if some one spends this night in prayer, then Allah rewards him as he spend thousand nights in pray ring.

“There in come down the Angels and the spirit by Allah’s permission on every errand”.(surat-ul Qadar,4)

The word “spirit” here, really needs some explanation. The vast majority of commentators are agreed that here spirit means Gabriele ( a commentator of Quran) , others believe that it refers to’ Iysaa ,who on this night comes down with angels to view the righteous deeds of this ummah. But if we come back to verses, they tell us that at this night Gabriele comes down with a group of angels and pray for mercy for every one, whom they find busy in praying.

“Peace is until the break of dawn “. (surat-ul Qadar,5)

Yes, this is very embodiment of peace, throughout its hours,  the angels recites and send blessings (salaam), upon faith full believers adoring their  Lord. And this is a night of complete safety from evil and mischief. These blessings remain throughout the night until the break of dawn and are not any specific hour.

What to do in Laylatul Qadr?

Now here question arises what to do in this night? The answer is very simple; according to my opinion; recite Holy Quran and worship and what ever one think is the best thing which he/she can present as a gift in front of his Allah. There are many other things regarding, to this night, like

• Recite suratul Qadar 7 times after isha prayer.
• Say this from inside your heart at least 100 times (- Astaghfirullah Rabbi Min Kulli Zam”biyon Wa Atoobu ilaiyh)
• Go for Salatul- tasbeeh, The Tasbeeh is “Subhaan Allahi Wal Hamdulillahi Wa Laa ilaha illal Laahu Wallahu Akbar”

You have to recites about 300 times in four rakat.(75 times in every rakat )

• There is also a special DUA for Laylatul Qadar is;

“Allah Huma Innaka A’fuvun Kareem‘un ,  tohibu Afu  Fa’Afu Anni Ya Gafoor‘u Ya Ghafoor’u Ya- Ghafoor’u.”  ( O-Allah! You are the forgiver and you like forgiving so forgive me , A Biggest forgiver,) reported in Tirmidhi. Note: Please pray for me and my family tonight. May Allah help all of us.

What is Mecca?

Actually Mecca also written as Makkah situated in Saudi Arabia and one of the holiest city in religion Islam. Name Kabah comes from the Arabic word meaning ‘cube’, it refers to the cube-shaped stone inside the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. The word “Mecca” is so popular that it is also added in English dictionary meaning something that is most important. Holy city laid near the coast of the Red Sea. and it has total population of 1,290,000.

Mecca History:

According to Islamic tradition, Mecca history was goes back to Prophet Abraham who built the Kaaba with His son, Prophet Ishmael in around 2000 BCE. Mecca is the place that links to many of the Prophets that Almighty Allah sent to us. So it is in news and history books from long time.

At first Masjid al-Haram constructed by Prophet Abraham which stands upright bearing evidence of various events which took place. The Holy Quran says that Mecca was attacked by the Ethiopians in the year when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) born.

Mecca in the ancient era was a major trade hub. There were Idols everywhere before Islam arrived. If we say that Prophet Muhammad open His eyes in Idol world, then it is not wrong. before emergence of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the city was under the rule of Banu-Quraish.

Why Mecca Important For Muslims:

As we talked earlier that it is a busy place and in history from thousands of years. But why Mecca is important for Muslims. Actually the thing is Islam started it’s ground level there. Mecca was the birthplace of Muslim’s last messenger Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He spent his earlier 40 years there. Then He went to Madina and after building authority, He came back as a victories and live rest of His life in Mecca as well.

Secondly, Holy Kaaba also present in Masjid al-Haram which present in Mecca. Millions of Muslim visited Masjid al-Haram to perform Hajj. It is also the world largest unity place for people, where millions of people gather from all races, community, countries without any difference and pray to their God. Every Muslim must need to perform Hajj at least once in life. So Mecca is every important.

There are many other things that are also rememberable for Muslims such as many Prophet Muhammad’s companions also buried in Mecca. Many Mosques that built with Prophet Muhammad hands. The Zamzam Well, the holy well which sprung into existence with Prophet Ishmael heels when He was rubbing them with thrust. It was also in Mecca, just next to Kaaba in Masjid al-Haram. There are also many other things that is why Mecca is important and so holiest for Muslims.

As mentioned earlier, kaaba built by Prophet Abraham. There is a large black stone inside it. Confirmed by Muslims/Christian historian that Angel Gabriel gave this to Prophet Abraham at Allah’s will. It is the focal point for worship during daily prayers, it unifies all Muslims, direction of every Muslims during prayers is towards Kaaba known as Qibla.

Hopefully you understand what is Mecca and it’s importance for Muslims. Write below if you still have any question or comment for me.

I just found 10 steps to keep Ramadan spirit alive, you can find some very interesting tips in this. Yes! writer wrote exactly what was in my mind. You should have to concentrate on Dua, thinking about your past life and feel bad on wrong habits, always get some time for yourself regularly and think only about you, what was you, why Allah send you to this world, try to connect with Allah Almighty, pray Astagh-Firullah as many as you can, as deep as you can. May Allah Almighty mercy on us and bless us.

One thing that they didn’t add in above article is, You should always need to remember before or while doing work that Allah Almighty is watching us. What we do whether it is right or wrong, Allah Subhana Wa Ta’llah is watching us and we will receives its reward in the world here after. keep this as a strong faith and hopefully shetaan will not mis-guide you whole life.

I also find another good resource for you people as I’m committed to provide quality to you. This is a diary of 21 days for the holy land by Prof. M. Ishaq Zahid, a creator of Islam101.com. He wrote his own story, how he spent his 21 days on holy land in the search of greatest Lord of all, how he tried to happy Allah Almighty and much more.

I highly recommended you to read these resources, if you are going to perform 5th pillar of faith, The HAJJ. Where you meat with thousands of people with no difference of name, cast, color, region. Allah said in Quran [22:27.8] “And proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj pilgrimage. They will come to you walking or riding on various exhausted (means of transportation). They will come from the farthest locations.” They have only one thing in common, THEY ARE MUSLIM. They come only for one purpose, TO PERSUADE ALLAH. As Allah said [ 2:199] You shall file together, with the rest of the people who file, and ask Allah for forgiveness. Allah is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

Brothers and sisters! this is Umer Hayat from IslamConcepts.com want to say an Eid Mubarak to all my readers. IslamConcepts is an open source place for people to share their views with others. Muslims celebrating today as a Eid, It is really a peaceful and happiness day. day to forgive others, day that brings people closer.

Eid Prospective:

Actually there are two Eid in whole year according to Islamic calendar. First is Eid-ul-fitr also known as Smaller Eid”. and second is Eid-ul-azha or “Greater Eid. Today is Eid-ul-fitr. Muslims completed fasting for whole one month in Ramadan and today new month started in lunar calendar, so that’s why we are celebrating this special day.

Eid Benefits:

Islam told us to settle our disputes with others on this day, meet them with a big smile, hug them, wish them a happy Eid and pray for them from your heart. So they also do the same. Allah like people who always kind with others and this is the purpose of Eid. Eid is a total social activity that brings people closer and minimize the gap.

Eid Mubarak:

I want to say an Eid Mubarak to all of you. If you have any thing to say then reply here. May Allah almighty forgive us and show us the right path.

Zakat is the fourth pillar of Islam and we need to complete this duty in Ramadan. You can read more here What is Zakat. The basic purpose of Zakat is we need to spend part of our money that we hold from longer then a year to poor people.
There are some details in calculating your Zakat amount that is not a problem now. You can calculate your Zakat online with real accuracy and without lot time consuming.

Without further delay, here is a list of free online Zakat calculators in the market.

1) YesPakistani zakat Calculator
2) Islamicity Zakat Calculator
3) Hadiya Foundation Zakat Calculator
4) SoundVision Zakat Calculator

Choose which ever you like more and suites your requirements. Remember that these calculators are based on US Dollar calculation, so keep that in mind while entering amount.

Now you can calculate more efficiently, but if any problem then its better to contact your mosque Imam for detailed guidance and understanding, as 1 by 1 meetings always a best way to learn then  any other thing.

Just read this beautiful hadith quoted in [Sahih Muslim : Book 2 'Al-Taharah' , Number 0432]
“Abu Malik at-Ash’ari Radi Allah Anhu)  reported: The Messenger of Allah  (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) said: Cleanliness is half of faith and al-Hamdu Liliah (Praise be to Allah) fills the scale, and Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah) and al-Hamdu Liliah (Praise be to Allah) fill up what is between the heavens and the earth, and prayer is a light, and charity is proof (of one’s faith) and endurance is a brightness and the Holy Qur’an is a proof on your behalf or against you. All men go out early in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves”.

Simple translation of this Hadith: If you implement on Holy Quran then this will be your biggest Intercession to lead you to heaven but if you don’t implement on the Holy Quran then it is also the first one to leads you towards hell. Common man after awake, busy in work, those works will lead him to way of peace and also those works who lead him to the hell  where fire everywhere.

So decide yourself, if you want to go to hell fire then continue your routine, just wake up, start doing this life work and forget Allah Almighty, who created you OR live your life as He advised us to live.

This is our test, check yourself and grab the result. If it is OK then make it to good, if good then make it to excellent, and continue your journey towards betterment. but if you fail in till now test then start your journey towards right path from now. Don’t waste a single second, do sorry to Allah Almighty, as He is the greatest and very merciful.

“Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi- wasallam) as saying: “Don’t nurse grudge and don’t bid him out for raising the price and don’t nurse aversion or enmity and don’t enter into a transaction when the others have entered into that transaction and be as fellow-brothers and servants of Allah. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He neither oppresses him nor humiliates him nor looks down upon him. The piety is here, (and while saying so) he pointed towards his chest thrice. It is a serious evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his brother Muslim. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in faith: his blood, his wealth and his honor.”

In simple form Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that don’t do anything wrong with your brothers. This is not only about your blood related brothers, this is also about all the Muslims, as every Muslim is a brother of other. Then Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) looked towards his chest thrice and said Godliness belongs to your heart not your apparent deeds.

And in very next Hadith from above (Sahih Muslim: Book 32, Number 6220), He (Prophet Muhammad) said:
“Verily Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your hearts.”

In just next hadith, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said almost the same like above (Sahih Muslim: Book 32, Number 6221)
“Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) as saying: “Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth but He looks to your heart and to your deeds.”

Here I found a very nice video lecture on this discussion. Hopefully you like it.

May Allah the greatest, give us chance to work on our souls, as working on them are much more greater then working on our external body.