افضل ترین عمل

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was asked which deed is the best. He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “To believe in Allah and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم).” He was asked, “Then which deed?” He said: “To strive (jihad) in the way of Allah.” He was asked, “Then which deed?” He said: “An accepted Hajj (Hajj Mabrur).” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Regarding the best of deeds—which deed is the best—various ahadith have been narrated; in one hadith one deed is declared the most excellent, and in another a different one. In this hadith the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) mentioned three deeds as the best deeds: to believe in Allah and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), to strive in the way of Allah, and an accepted Hajj. On one occasion, when asked, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Belief in Allah, and (after that) jihad in the way of Allah.” (Bukhari). On another occasion, when Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, he said: “To offer the prayer at its time, to treat one's parents with kindness, and to strive in the way of Allah.” Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) says: had I asked for more, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would have mentioned still more. (Bukhari and Muslim)

The reconciliation among all these will be in this way: it may be said that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) answered each questioner according to his circumstances, his standing, and his temperament—that is, to whoever asked about the best deed he mentioned that deed which he considered suited to him and which was appropriate to his nature, temperament and condition. In short, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) declared each deed the most excellent with respect to the occasion and situation. For example, in the early period of Islam—that is, after the Migration—jihad was suited to the condition of the people, so he declared jihad to be the best deed; or, likewise, seeing some person or some group hungry, thirsty and utterly destitute, he urged people towards charity and alms for their aid and assistance, and said that charity is the most excellent deed. In any case, the reason and aspect for calling each of these the most excellent deed differ; each, in its own place, is more excellent and superior to the other.

From this hadith it is also learnt that Hajj too is one of the most excellent of deeds, provided it is done with sincerity and while avoiding sins. The scholars have stated that the sign of Hajj Mabrur (an accepted Hajj) is that, after performing Hajj, the person becomes a worshipper of Allah—whereas before this he was heedless—and for the rest of his life he walks upon the commands laid down by Allah Almighty and the noble Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

Hajj is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam and a great memorial of the way and manner of the forefather of the Muslim community, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), and of his faithful devotion to God. Hajj is the expression of that fervour of passion, love, surrender and self-sacrifice hidden in the heart of a believer, which is the pinnacle of the station of servitude and the culmination of attaining nearness to Allah Almighty. From some aspects Hajj is not only the greatest and most comprehensive act of worship, but is also the fruit of all the striving and struggle of life. In Hajj the servant presents himself before his Lord and at every step is devoted to Him. What greater good fortune can there be for a servant than that he be granted attendance at the court of Allah, and then, through its lights and blessings, such a revolutionary change comes over him that he becomes entirely and solely Allah's—that from waking in the morning until sleeping at night he does every single act only in the manner taught by Allah and His beloved noble Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم). May Allah Almighty destine such a Hajj for every pilgrim. Amin!