Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem: In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Welcome to my blog and praise the Magnificent Lord as you enter: Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Greatest . May the Peace and Blessing of Allah Azza wa Jal, our Lord Glorified and Praised be He, be upon our beloved Prophet, his Family, and Companions. The Highest Bliss: The Good Pleasure of Allah, Glorified and Praised. وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَـتِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَوةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَوةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُوْلَـئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ (71. The believers, men and women, are supporters of one another; they enjoin good, and forbid evil; they perform the Salah, and give the Zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His mercy on them. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.) Surah 9 Taubah, Verse 71 Tafsir Ibn Kathir Allah mentions the good qualities of the believers, (The believers, men and women, are supporters of one another;) they help and aid each other. Surely, an authentic Hadith states, (The believer to the believer is just like a building, its parts support each other.) and the Prophet crossed his fingers together. In the Sahih it is recorded, (The example of the believers in the compassion and mercy they have for each other, is the example of one body: if a part of it falls ill, the rest of the body suffers with fever and sleeplessness.) Allah’s statement, (…they enjoin good, and forbid evil), this is similar to, (Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining Al-Ma`ruf and forbidding the Munkar…) [3:104]. Allah said next, (they perform the Salah, and give the Zakah), they obey Allah and are kind to His creation, (and obey Allah and His Messenger), concerning what he commands and refraining from what he prohibits, (Allah will have mercy on them.) Therefore, Allah will give mercy to those who have these qualities, (Surely, Allah is All-Mighty), He grants glory to those who obey Him, for indeed, might and glory is from Allah Who gives it to His Messenger and the believers, (All-Wise), in granting these qualities to the believers, while giving evil characteristics to hypocrites. Surely, Allah’s wisdom is perfect in all His actions; praise and glory be to Him. وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَـتِ جَنَّـتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَـرُ خَـلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَمَسَـكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِى جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ وَرِضْوَنٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ (72. Allah has promised the believers — men and women, — Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in gardens of `Adn (Eden; Paradise). But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah. That is the supreme success.) Surah 9 Taubah, Verse 72 Tafsir Ibn Kathir Allah describes the joys and eternal delight He has prepared for the believers, men and women in, (Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever) for eternity, (and beautiful mansions), built beautifully in good surroundings. In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Abu Musa, `Abdullah bin Qays Al-Ash`ari said that the Messenger of Allah said, (Two gardens, their pots and whatever is in them are made of gold, and two gardens, their pots and whatever is in them are made of silver. Only the Veil of Pride of Allah’s Face separates the people from gazing at Him, in the garden of Eden.) He also narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, (For the believer in Paradise there is a tent like a hollow pearl which is sixty miles high in the sky, and in the tent the believer will have (so large) a family that he visits them all and some of them would not be able to see the others. ) The Two Sahihs collected this Hadith. It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said, (Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, offers prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadan, will rightfully be granted Paradise by Allah, no matter whether he emigrates in Allah’s cause, or remains in the land where he is born.) The people said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Shall we acquaint the people with this good news” He said, (Paradise has one-hundred grades which Allah has prepared for the Mujahidin who fight in His cause, the distance between each two grades is like the distance between the heaven and the earth. So, when you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaws which is the best and highest part of Paradise, from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise and above it is the `Arsh (Throne) of the Beneficent.) Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, that the Messenger of Allah said, (If you invoke Allah for Salah (blessings) on me, then also invoke Him to grant me Al-Wasilah.) He was asked, “What is Al-Wasilah, O Allah’s Messenger” He said, (The highest grade in Paradise, it will be for only one man, and I hope I am that man.) The Musnad contains a Hadith from Sa`d bin Mujahid At-Ta’i, that Abu Al-Mudillah said, that Abu Hurayrah said, “We said, `O Allah’s Messenger! Talk to us about Paradise, what is it built of’ He said, (A brick of gold and a brick of silver. Its mortar is from musk, its gravel is pearls and rubies. Its sand is saffron. Whoever enters it will enjoy the delights, will never be hopeless, and will live forever and will not die. His clothes will never decay nor will his youth ever end.)” Allah said next, (But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah)[9:72], meaning, Allah’s pleasure is more grand, greater and better than the delight the believers will be enjoying [in Paradise]. Imam Malik narrated, that Zayd bin Aslam said that `Ata’ bin Yasar said that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri said that the Messenger of Allah said, (Allah, the Exalted and Ever High, will say to the people of Paradise, `O residents of Paradise!’ They will say, `Labbayka (here we are!), our Lord, and Sa`dayk (we are happy at your service!) and all the good is in Your Hand.’ He will ask them, `Are you pleased’ They will say, `Why would not we be pleased, O Lord, while You have given us what You have not given any other of your creation’ He will say, `Should I give you what is better than all this’ They will say, `O Lord! What is better than all this’ He will say, `I will grant you My pleasure and will never afterwards be angry with you.’) The Two Sahihs collected the Hadith of Malik.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem: In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Welcome to my blog and praise the Magnificent Lord as you enter: Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Greatest .
May the Peace and Blessing of Allah Azza wa Jal, our Lord Glorified and Praised be He, be upon our beloved Prophet, his Family, and Companions.
Pilgrimage to the First House of Worship is a duty to Allah, Glorified and Praised
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِى بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكاً وَهُدًى لِّلْعَـلَمِينَ
(96. Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-`Alamin (mankind and Jinn)).
 فِيهِ ءَايَـتٌ بَيِّـنَـتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَهِيمَ وَمَن دَخَلَهُ كَانَ ءَامِناً وَللَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَـعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلاً وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ الله غَنِىٌّ عَنِ الْعَـلَمِينَ
(97. In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqam (station) of Ibrahim; whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for those who are able to undertake the journey; and whoever disbelieves, then Allah stands not in need of any of the `Alamin.)
Surah 3 Ala Imran Verse 96-97
Tafsir Ibn Kathir
Allah said,
(Verily, the first House appointed for mankind) for all people, for their acts of worship and religious rituals. They go around the House [in Tawaf], pray in its vicinity and remain in its area in I`tikaf.
(was that at Bakkah,) meaning, the Ka`bah that was built by Ibrahim Al-Khalil, whose religion the Jews and Christians claim they follow. However, they do not perform Hajj to the house that Ibrahim built by Allah’s command, and to which he invited the people to perform Hajj. Allah said next,
(full of blessing), sanctified,
(and a guidance for Al-`Alamin.)
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Dharr said; “I said, `O Allah’s Messenger! Which Masjid was the first to be built on the surface of the earth’ He said, `Al-Masjid Al-Haram (in Makkah).’ I said, `Which was built next’ He replied `Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem).’ I said, `What was the period of time between building the two’ He said, `Forty years.’ He added,
 Wherever (you may be, and) the prayer becomes due, perform the prayer there, for the whole earth was made a Masjid.)” Al-Bukhari and Muslim also collected this Hadith.
Allah said,
(was that at Bakkah), where Bakkah is one of the names of Makkah.
Bakkah means, `it brings Buka’ (crying, weeping) to the tyrants and arrogant, meaning they cry and become humble in its vicinity. It was also said that Makkah was called Bakkah because people do Buka next to it, meaning they gather around it. There are many names for Makkah, such as Bakkah, Al-Bayt Al-`Atiq (the Ancient House), Al-Bayt Al-Haram (the Sacred House), Al-Balad Al-Amin (the City of Safety) and Al-Ma’mun (Security). Makkah’s names include Umm Rahm (Mother of Mercy), Umm Al-Qura (Mother of the Towns), Salah, [as well as others].
Allah said,
(whosoever enters it, he attains security,) [3:97] meaning, the Haram of Makkah is a safe refuge for those in a state of fear. There in its vicinity, they will be safe, just as was the case during the time of Jahiliyyah. Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, “(During the time of Jahiliyyah) a man would commit murder, then wear a piece of wool around his neck and enter the Haram. And even when the son of the murdered person would meet him, he would not make a move against him, until he left the sanctuary.” Allah said,
(Allah, not the people, made Makkah a sanctuary. Therefore, anybody who has belief in Allah and the Last Day, should neither shed blood in it nor cut down its trees. If anybody argues that fighting in it is permissible on the basis that Allah’s Messenger fought in Makkah, say to him, `Allah allowed His Messenger and did not allow you.’ Allah allowed me only for a few hours on that day (of the conquest), and today its sanctity is as valid as it was before. So, those who are present, should inform those who are absent of this fact.).”
`Abdullah bin `Adi bin Al-Hamra’ Az-Zuhri said that he heard the Messenger of Allah say while standing at Al-Hazwarah in the marketplace of Makkah,
(By Allah! You are the best of Allah’s land and the most beloved land to Allah. Had it not been for the fact that I was driven out of you, I would not have left you.)
Imam Ahmad collected this Hadith and this is his wording. At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah also collected it. At-Tirmidhi said, “Hasan Sahih.”
Allah said,
(And Hajj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for those who are able to undertake the journey) [3:97].
This Ayah established the obligation of performing Hajj. There are many Hadiths that mention it as one of the pillars and fundamentals of Islam, and this is agreed upon by the Muslims. According to texts and the consensus of the scholars, it is only obligatory for the adult Muslim to perform it once during his lifetime. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah once gave a speech in which he said,
(O people! Hajj has been enjoined on you, therefore, perform Hajj.)
A man asked, “Is it every year, O Allah’s Messenger” The Prophet remained silent until the man repeated the question three times and he then said,
(Had I said yes, it would have become an obligation and you would not have been able to fulfill it.) He said next,
(Leave me as I leave you, those before you were destroyed because of their many questions and disputing with their Prophets. If I command you with something, perform it as much as you can. If I forbid something for you, then refrain from it.) Muslim recorded similarly.
There are several categories of “the ability to under take the journey”. There is the physical ability of the person himself and the ability that is related to other things as mentioned in the books of jurisprudence. Abu `Isa At-Tirmidhi recorded that Ibn `Umar said, “A man stood up and asked the Messenger of Allah , `O Messenger of Allah! Who is the pilgrim’ He said, `He who has untidy hair and clothes.’ Another man asked, `Which Hajj is better, O Messenger of Allah’ He said, `The noisy (with supplication to Allah) and bloody (with sacrifice).’ Another man asked, `What is the ability to undertake the journey, O Messenger of Allah’ He said, `Having provision and a means of transportation.”’ This is the narration that Ibn Majah collected. Al-Hakim narrated that Anas said that the Messenger of Allah was asked about Allah’s statement,
(for those who are able to undertake the journey;) [3:97] “What does `able to undertake the journey’ mean” The Prophet answered, “Having sufficient provision and a means of transportation.” Al-Hakim stated that this Hadith’s chain of narration is authentic, following the guidelines of Muslim in his Sahih, but the Two Sahihs did not collect it. Ahmad recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah said,
(Whoever intends to perform Hajj, let him rush to perform it.) Abu Dawud also collected this Hadith.
Allah said,
(…and whoever disbelieves, then Allah stands not in need of any of the `Alamin) [3:97].Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and several others commented on this Ayah, “Whoever denies the necessity of Hajj becomes disbeliever, and Allah is far Richer than to need him.” Al-Hafiz Abu Bakr Al-Isma`ili recorded that `Umar bin Al-Khattab said, “Whoever can afford Hajj but did not perform it, there is no difference in his case if he dies while Jew or Christian.” This has an authentic chain of narration leading to `Umar.