Deeds that equal the reward of Haj
There are several deeds regarding which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has said that they equal the reward of Haj.
Now that the Hujjaj have all departed, those who have been left behind can take consolation from the following Ahadith:
1. Umrah in Ramadhan:
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِىَّ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قَالَ لاِمْرَأَةٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ يُقَالُ لَهَا أُمُّ سِنَانٍ « مَا مَنَعَكِ أَنْ تَكُونِى حَجَجْتِ مَعَنَا ». قَالَتْ نَاضِحَانِ كَانَا لأَبِى فُلاَنٍ - زَوْجِهَا - حَجَّ هُوَ وَابْنُهُ عَلَى أَحَدِهِمَا وَكَانَ الآخَرُ يَسْقِى عَلَيْهِ غُلاَمُنَا. قَالَ « فَعُمْرَةٌ فِى رَمَضَانَ تَقْضِى حَجَّةً. أَوْ حَجَّةً مَعِى ». رواه مسلم
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘abbas (r.a.) has reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) passed by Ummu sinan whils on his way to haj. “Why didn’t you accompany me for Haj?” he enquired. She said: “We only have 2 camels, one my husband has used to be with you in Haj, and the other is needed for transporting water.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “An ‘Umrah in Ramadhan equals the reward of Haj with me”. (Sahih Muslim)
2. Wudhu at home and then going for Salaat with Jamaat:
وعن أبي أمامة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال
من خرج من بيته متطهرا إلى صلاة مكتوبة فأجره كأجر الحاج المحرم ومن خرج إلى تسبيح الضحى لا ينصبه إلا إياه فأجره كأجر المعتمر وصلاة على إثر صلاة لا لغو بينهما كتاب في عليين
رواه أبو داود
Sayyiduna Abu Umaamah (r.a.) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “One who purifies himself (i.e, makes wudhu) and leaves his home to attend the fardh salaah in congregation receives the reward of a Haji in the state of Ihram,
And if he leaves for the salaatu-Dhuhaa (Chaast) he gets the reward of ‘Umrah.
(Abu Dawud)
3. Salatul Ishraaq:
عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
من صلى الصبح في جماعة ثم قعد يذكر الله حتى تطلع الشمس ثم صلى ركعتين كانت له كأجر حجة وعمرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : تامة تامة تامة
رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن غريب
Sayyiduna Anas Ibn Maalik (r.a.) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever offers his Fajr salaah in congregation, and then remains seated making the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah until (approximately 15 mins after) sunrise after which he offers two rak’aats of salaah (Ishraaq), will receive the reward of one complete Haj and one complete ‘Umrah”
(Sunan Tirmidhi with a sound chain)
N.B. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) repeated the words: “completed”.
4. Going to the Masjid to acquire Knowledge.
وعن أبي أمامة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال
من غدا إلى المسجد لا يريد إلا أن يتعلم خيرا أو يعلمه، كان له كأجر حاج تاما حجته.
رواه الطبراني غي الكبير بأسناد لابأس به. كذا في الترغيب 1/104.
Sayyiduna Abu Umaamah (r.a.) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever goels to the Masjid for the purpose of learning or teaching Knowlldge, receives the reward of a Haji whose ahj was perfect.
(Tabarani with a sound chain)
5. Serving one’s parents:
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال أتى رجل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال إني أشتهي الجهاد ولا أقدر عليه قال هل بقي من والديك أحد قال أمي قال فابل الله في برها فإذا فعلت ذلك فأنت حاج ومعتمر ومجاهد.
رواه أبو يعلى والطبراني في الصغير والأوسط، وإسنادهما جيد. كذا في الترغيب. 3/315.
Sayyiduna Anas (r.a.) reports that a man came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and said: “I wish to participate in Jihaad, but I cannot afford it” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) enquird if any of his parents were alive, to which he said: “Yes! My mother is alive” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Show Allah how your serve her. Of you do so (properly) you will be like a: Haaji, a Mu’tamir (one doing ‘Umrah) and a Mujaahid (One striving in Allah’s way).”
(Abu Ya’la and Tabarani with good chains.-Targheeb, vol.3, pg. 315)
N.B. Some people quote the narration: “whoever looks at his parents with the eye of mercy shall receive the reward of one haj and umrah…
I have not cited it because of its extreme weakness, although some ‘Ulama have debated its flaw and claim it to be suitable. Despite this difference I prefer not to quote it. The Hadith quoted above gives a similar meaning and is therefore more appropriate.
Note:
1. The promise of “gaining the same reward as Haj” that are mentioned in the above Ahadith, is restricted to the reward only. It does not mean that one upon whom Haj is obligatory, can merely suffice on these deeds. (Sharh-Nawawi ‘ala muslim & Fathul Mulhim, vol.6, pg.123)
2. Imam Tirmidhi (r.a.) has quoted Imaam Is-haq Ibn Rahuyah as saying that this reward should be understood in the light of the hadith that explains surah ikhlaas to be equal to one third of the Quraan,. (ibid) i.e, one who recites it will receive the reward of reciting one third, but that does not mean he physically did so. Furthermore, by reciting surah ikhlas thrice, one does not become a haafidh of the entire Quran..!
3. The purpose here is not to discourage one from the actual Haj. (That is why it is being circulated now, whlst all Hajis have departed) Like they say: “There’s nothing like the real thing..”
Mufti Mahmudul Hasan Gangohi (r.a.) has cautioned about this in his Malkfuzat.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Camperdown,South Africa
