Allah has assigned a great reward for Haj Mabrur, as evidenced by the saying of the Messenger (peace be upon him) “There is no reward for Haj Mabrur except Paradise.” (Al-Bukhari)
The meaning of birr (from which the word ‘Mabrur’ is derived) involves the following two: Good behavior toward people, fulfilling one’s duties toward others and giving them their rights. In the Hadith, “Al-Birr is good behavior.” (Muslim) In the Musnad, from Jabir, Marfu narration states, “They said: ‘What makes Haj Mabrur, O Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him)?’ He said, ‘providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salam’.” (Fath Al-Bari) The following will help one ensure that his or her Haj will be accepted, inshaAllah.
1. Sincerity
Sincerity to Allah and seeking His reward and pleasure alone. Allah says in the Hadith Qudsi, “Whoever does an action for other than Me, I will leave him and his shirk.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) supplicated, “Allahumma Hajatan La riya’a fiha wa La suma” (O Allah, (enable me to make) Haj with no riya’ (show-off in the sense of desire that others witness one’s good acts) or suma (show-off related to desire that others hear about one’s good acts) in it.” (Ibn Majah, also see Sahih Sunan ibn Majah)
2. Preparation for Haj
Servant’s preparation for Haj is from the most important matters that helps in performing the pilgrimage in the legislated manner and ensuring that one’s Haj is inshaAllah accepted.
3. Symbols of sanctities
From the most apparent of goals and wisdoms of Haj is cultivation of the servant upon appreciation, esteem and love of Allah’s symbols and sanctities. Allah says, “That (is so). And whoever honors the symbols (i.e. rites) of Allah — indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.” (Qur’an, 22:32)
4. Good characteristics
“Haj is (during) well-known months, so whoever has made Haj obligatory upon himself therein (by entering the state of ihram), there is (to be for him) no Ar-Rafath …” (Qur’an, 2:197) Ar-Rafath is sexual intercourse or what leads to it from sayings or actions. Suppressing anger, leaving argumentation and disputes. Allah says, “and no (Jidal) disputing during Haj.” (Qur’an, 2:197) Ataa said, Al-Jidal is that you dispute your companion until you anger him and he angers you.
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5. Reminder of the Last Day
Haj reminds the servant of the Last Day and its states and conditions in a clear manner.
6. Submission to Allah
Pilgrim is trained upon submission, surrender and complete obedience to Allah Lord of the worlds, as, for example, in the case of actions of Haj, such as abandonment of stitched clothing and adornment, Tawaf, Sayee, standing on Arafat, stoning, lodging and shaving or cutting of one’s hair and other such matters.
7. Feel of brotherhood
Pilgrims, with all their differences in tongues, races and nationalities, gather in one same place at one same time, in one same appearance, pronouncing the same call of Talbiyah, and for the same purpose: Belief in Allah, fulfillment of His order and forsaking sinful acts, all of which develops deep love between them, which, in turn, becomes a motive for them to know each other, to cooperate, exchange thoughts, advice, news and experiences, reinforcing in them uprightness upon this Deen which joined them together, as well as performing acts aiming to reach higher levels.
8. Attachment to past
Actions of Haj remind of the past, from the migration of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) with his wife and infant, to Hijaz, his story when he was ordered to sacrifice his son, his building of the Kaaba and his call to people to make Haj. Likewise, Haj is a reminder of the rising of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his farewell pilgrimage with more than 100,000 companions; when he said to them, “Take from me your rites (of Haj).”
9. Remembrance of Allah
The servant who contemplates during rituals of Haj about Talbiyah, Takbir, Tahlil (saying La ilaha ill Allah), supplication, as well as the two revelations (Qur’an and Sunnah) which speak about them, will find that an increase in remembrance of Allah is from the greatest wisdoms and aims of Haj. From those texts is the saying of Allah, “Remember Allah at Al-Mash’ar Al-Haram (Muzdalifah).” (Qur’an, 2:198) And his saying, “Circumambulating of the house, (going) between As-Safa and Al-Marwah and stoning have only been legislated for establishment of remembrance of Allah on the earth.” (At-Tirmidhi)
10. Discipline
Remember that Haj nullifies what precedes it from sins, and that because of Haj you return in a state like that on the day your mother bore you. So beware of opposing Allah with sins after this blessing. Open a new page in your life and fill it with righteous actions in steadfastness upon His Deen.
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The evidence of Haj Mabrur is steadfastness of the servant after Haj, his practice of righteous acts and leaving of the sins. Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, “Al-Haj Al-Mabrur is to return abstinent from this world and desiring the Hereafter. This is witnessed in His saying, “And those who are guided; He increases them in guidance and gives them their righteousness (Taqwa, fearful awareness of Allah, care to avoid His displeasure). (Qur’an, 47:17)