By Rasheed Abubakar
* Some pilgrims lack proper understanding of ihram and tahallul: Sheikh Ahmad
* Prof Alaro warns over phone distractions during undistracted worship
Two respected Muslim scholars and members of the Ulama team of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, have urged intending pilgrims to purify their intentions, seek proper guidance on Hajj rites, and avoid distractions that could diminish the spiritual rewards of the pilgrimage.
The scholars, National Missioner of Ansar Ud Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad, and Director of the Quality Assurance Unit at the University of Ilorin, Prof Abdulrazaq Abdulmajeed Alaro, spoke exclusively with Muslim News on Wednesday at the Lagos Hajj camp during the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The renowned scholars, who are members of the National Ulama Committee established by NAHCON, explained that their assignment goes beyond ordinary preaching, noting that the committee was created to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims perform Hajj correctly and attain Hajj Mabrur (an accepted, righteous and spiritually rewarded pilgrimage that is pleasing to Allah).
Speaking on the responsibilities of the committee, Sheikh Ahmad said the team was saddled with the duty of guiding pilgrims toward the proper performance of Hajj rites while also addressing religious questions that may arise during the pilgrimage.
“The duty of the National Ulama team is to guide pilgrims throughout the country towards the correct way of performing Hajj in such a way that it will be Mabrur. This is the principal role,” he said.
He added that the scholars also provide counselling, religious admonition, and spiritual guidance to pilgrims throughout the exercise.
“We answer questions concerning the rituals of Hajj and other related matters about aqidah, about muamalah, and about the deen generally. Our responsibility also includes what is called wa’z wal irshad (Islamic preaching and guidance), to admonish and to guide pilgrims,” he explained.
According to Sheikh Ahmad, the committee also connects Muslim scholars from various parts of the country, including the South West, North, South South, and South East, thereby promoting unity and stronger collaboration among the Ulama.
The National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria noted that the committee also prays for the peace and progress of Nigeria and offers words of advice to national leaders.
‘Hajj is worship, not tourism’
The respected Muslim scholar identified poor intention as one of the most common mistakes made by pilgrims, warning that many people approach Hajj as an opportunity for tourism rather than an act of worship.
“I think the most fundamental mistake that most pilgrims make is in the intention. So many pilgrims do not have clarity in their intention. They see it as an opportunity to travel,” he said.
According to him, some first time travellers become overly excited about boarding an aircraft or leaving the country for the first time and lose focus on the spiritual essence of Hajj.
“Hajj is much more than seeing the world. Pilgrims should sharpen and refocus their intention. It must be to worship Allah and to seek His countenance,” he added.
Sheikh Ahmad also highlighted several mistakes committed during the practical rites of Hajj, including errors in tawaf (circumambulation around the Kaaba), sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah), and activities in Mina and Arafah.
He lamented that many pilgrims fail to understand the spiritual significance of the sacred locations and days associated with the pilgrimage.
“So many pilgrims go to Mina and think it is a place of relaxation or celebration. Aside from the five daily prayers, they hardly engage in extra acts of worship.
They sleep, eat, and visit friends, whereas it is much more than that,” he said.
He further explained that many pilgrims misunderstand issues surrounding ihram (the sacred state of consecration entered before performing Hajj) and tahallul (the release from ihram after completing certain rites), with some remaining in ihram throughout the days of Hajj unnecessarily because they assume it is part of the worship.
According to him, these recurring mistakes informed the establishment of the Ulama team to provide continuous guidance and clarification to pilgrims.
Prof Alaro highlights spiritual, worldly benefits of Hajj
Also speaking, Prof Alaro stressed the importance of sincerity, reflection, and undistracted devotion during Hajj, warning that excessive use of mobile phones has become one of the greatest threats to spiritual concentration during the pilgrimage.
The professor of Shariah Law advised pilgrims to constantly evaluate their intentions before embarking on the journey, noting that intention determines the spiritual outcome of Hajj.
Quoting a prophetic tradition, he said: “Al Hajjul Mabrur laysa lahu jazā’un illā al Jannah,” meaning that an accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise.
“Any Hajj that is accepted by Almighty Allah, the reward is Paradise, and the pilgrim returns purified like a newborn without sin,” he said.
Prof Alaro explained that Hajj offers both spiritual and worldly benefits, including personal transformation, exposure to diverse cultures, exchange of ideas, and renewed commitment to acts of worship.
Speaking on the significance of the pilgrimage, he said Hajj provides pilgrims with opportunities that go beyond worship, shaping their character and worldview through meaningful interactions with people from different backgrounds.
According to him, one of the key worldly benefits of Hajj is the opportunity for global interaction and learning.
“One of the worldly benefits is that you meet and interact with people from different parts of the world and different walks of life. No matter how, you will benefit from them and they will benefit from you, exchange ideas, and see how people do things differently from yours,” he said.
He noted that such interactions often broaden understanding and encourage tolerance, mutual respect, and appreciation of diversity among Muslims.
Prof Alaro also emphasised that Hajj is a transformative experience that renews a pilgrim’s commitment to worship and obedience to Allah, describing it as a journey that impacts both the heart and behaviour.
He further congratulated all those privileged by Allah to undertake the pilgrimage this year or in subsequent years, praying for their safety and acceptance of their worship.
“I want to congratulate everyone that is so blessed by Allah to embark on this journey this year or any other subsequent ones,” he said.
Warns pilgrims over mobile phone distractions
He, however, warned that modern technology, particularly mobile phones, has increasingly become a source of distraction for many pilgrims, even during critical moments of worship.
“Phones facilitate life, but they have become major distractors and disruptors, even during critical worship periods like Arafah,” he said.
The don advised intending pilgrims to deliberately minimise phone use throughout the pilgrimage in order to preserve the spiritual value of the exercise.
“Train yourself as somebody going on pilgrimage. Minimise phone use to the barest minimum so it does not take away the best part of your Hajj,” he cautioned.
He encouraged pilgrims to use their phones only for necessary communication, navigation, emergency purposes, or beneficial reminders, while avoiding habitual scrolling on social media.
Prof Alaro also urged pilgrims to observe and learn from fellow Muslims during Hajj by reflecting on how others pray and conduct themselves.
He added that such reflection could help pilgrims improve their own worship and deepen their spiritual consciousness.
The scholars jointly prayed that Allah grants intending pilgrims ease, safety, and an accepted Hajj, while preserving them from distractions capable of reducing the rewards of the sacred journey.
Sponsored Event
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
