Actions equal to Hajj reward

It is that time of year where the Huajjaaj are all embarking on their blessed journey of Hajj. Those who are left behind may be reminiscing their own hajj, or longing for when they will return to the holy lands, some maybe praying for their call to the baitullah and others may be disheartened that they do not meet the basic conditions for embarking on hajj.

Dhikr – 33 x Subhanallah, 33 x Allahu Akbar, 33 x Alhumdulillah

• Abu Hurayrah reported: The poor came to the Messenger of Allah and said: “Oh, Messenger of Allah, the wealthy have gone with the highest ranks and lasting bliss. They offer salah (prayer) as we offer it; they observe fast as we do; and as they are wealthy, they perform Hajj and ‘Umrah, and go for Jihad, and they spend in charity.” The Messenger of Allah said, “Shall I not teach you something with which you may overtake those who surpassed you and with which you will surpass those who will come after you? None will excel you unless he who does which you do. You should recite: Tasbeeh (Allah is free from imperfection – Subhan Allah), Takbeer (Allah is Greatest – Allahu Akbar), Tahmeed (Praise be to Allah – AlHamdu lillah) thirty-three times after each salah.” [Bukhari]

Praying in congregation

• Abu Dharr narrated that a group of the Companions came to the Prophet , and said, “O Messenger of Allah, the wealthy people will have higher grades and will have permanent enjoyment and they pray like us and fast as we do. They have more money, which they give in charity. “The Prophet , replied: “Has Allah not rendered for you the ‘Isha’ prayer in congregation equal to Hajj, and the Fajr prayer in congregation equal to ‘Umrah?” [Muslim]
• Anas narrates that the Prophet said, “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until sunrise, then prays two units of prayer, has a complete reward of Hajj and ‘Umrah. (The Prophet repeated ‘complete’ three times for emphasis.) [Tirmidhi]
• The Prophet said: “Whoever walks to [perform] an obligatory prayer in congregation, it is like Hajj [in terms of rewards], and whoever walks to [perform] a voluntary prayer, it is like a voluntary ‘Umrah [in terms of rewards].” [Hasan hadith narrated by Tabarani, Abu Dawud, Ahmad]

Going to the Mosque to learn or teach

• Abu Umamah said that the Prophet said: “Whoever goes to the mosque not desiring except to learn or teach what is good has the reward of a pilgrim who completed his Hajj.” [Tabarani]

Attending Eid Prayers

• Ibn Rajab narrated that the Companion Mikhnaf ibn Sulaym said, “The reward for attending Eid Al-Fitr prayer is equal to the reward of performing ‘Umrah and the reward for attending Eid Al-Adha Prayer is equal to that of performing Hajj.” [Lata’if al-Ma’arif]