How to derive utmost benefit from Hajj

In one of my journeys to Makka al-Mukarrama for hajj, I and a noble companion happen to visit the late martyr Ayatullah Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim.
I can still visualize those moments. He had a sparkling face that had so much to narrate. We sought some advise from him, and the great scholar informed us of a brilliant interpretation of the tradition: ‘Min tamaam al-Hajj liqaa al-Imam’ [The completion of hajj is in meeting the Imam].
One of the possible interpretations of the tradition is that the pilgrims who come to perform hajj must know the proper way of undertaking the ritual in its different dimensions.
Therefore they should approach the leader (Imam) who has a good understanding of the same.
And the leader(s) of the contemporary era [who represent the Imam of the time] are the Muslim scholars, who should be approached [and their advise sought].
I felt enlightened. Indeed in order for one to derive utmost benefit from hajj, he should go to the different places of the ‘ulama in Makka, who are well-grounded in the laws and secrets of hajj.
By Sh. Muhammad Khalfan

Dhul-qadah opportunity

It is narrated from the Prophet (saw) that it is recommended to pray this prayer on Sunday in the month of Dhul-qadah with a great reward.
That whoever prays it, his sins will be forgiven and his repentance will be accepted and Allah (swt) will make his liabilities to others cleared and when he dies he will die with faith (Iman). And his religion will be intact. His grave will be widened and enlightened, his parents will be pleased with him and Allah (swt) will forgive his parents and children and
will give him more wealth. And the Angel of Death will be gentle with him when taking his soul. And many other great benefits for this special prayer.
Reference to this salaat: Mafateeh Al Jinan by Shiek Abbas Qummi (page 247), A'maal the month of Dhul-qadah

It is recommended to pray a 4 rakat salah on any sunday in Dhul-qadah.
In every rakat:
1.      Sura Alhamd once
2.      Ikhlass 3 times
3.      Falaq once
4.      Naas once
after salaam 70 times
astagfirullaah wa rabbee wa atoobu ilayh
then say,
la hawla wala quwata illa billa hil aliyil azeem
then say:
Yaa a'zeezu yaa ghaffaarugh-fir lee d'unobee wa
d'unooba jamee-i'l moo-mineena wal moominat
fa-innahu laa yaghfirud' d'unooba illaa anta.

What does preparation for Hajj mean?

[vital read for all especially those embarking on this sacred journey]

The true meaning of preparation must be understood so that we may be able to accomplish the purpose of this ecstatic journey.
In a brilliant tradition narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (‘a), we are told that there are three kinds of results one can anticipate from Hajj:
(1) Utter freedom from Hell Fire, (2) Forgiveness of all sins, (3) Protection of wealth and family on return [Al-Kafi, v.4, p. 253].

Placing these results in mind, we should try to aspire for the best.
Aspiration, however, is not a kind of conceptualization or inculcation; rather, it is a resolution, struggle and hardship. And these need preparation.

One of the areas we must struggle to attain is “a state of receptivity”.
We should try to widen the containers of our hearts in order to benefit from the Divine Banquet while we are the guests of One who perpetually and abundantly bestows with no expectation of any kind of return whatsoever.

Two important areas we must work hard on are
(1) Repentance (tawba) and
(2) Acquiring knowledge about the secrets of the journey.
These are factors that would enhance our receptivity and enable us accomplish a certain level of perfection.

When we speak of tawba, the most important element that we should try to achieve is “the state of no return”.
Regret should not be an emotional state that does not reap any fruit. It should rather act as a catalyst to overturn our deviant ways and change our states, so that we do not think of going back to sin.
Understanding the secrets of hajj would make the journey very meaningful and if we are fortunate to have been given the succor to attain the desired preparation and readiness, we may achieve the apex of Hajj, which is human perfection and Divine proximity.
One of the subtle meanings of the hadith of Imam al-Baqir ('a), ‘Min tamaamil Hajj liqaa’ al-Imam’ (The completion of Hajj is in meeting the Imam) is that the perfection and completeness of Hajj is in encountering the characteristics of the imam who is a perfect human being.

In other words, the completeness of hajj is to exemplify the attributes of a perfect human being in oneself.
Small wonder it is that one is able to achieve the purpose of Hajj through the ziyara of the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) if one is in the state of knowledge of their sanctity and status.

by Sh. Muhammad Khalfan