One of the most difficult tasks of preparing for hajj is the settling of the emotional accounts. But we find ourselves seeking pardon from those whom we have hurt. We ask Allah to help us to offer forgiveness to those who have caused pain in our lives. We try to reconnect any broken family ties. We go to hajj seeking Allah’s Mercy, and so we must extend mercy to others.
On the authority of Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) related:
A man said: By Allah, Allah will not forgive So-and-so. At this Allah the Almighty said: Who is he who swears by Me that I will not forgive So-and-so? Verily I have forgiven So-and-so and have nullified your [own good] deeds…. (Hadith Qudsi in Sahih Muslim)
Preparing for hajj means coming to terms with the people and experiences of our lives, and not losing our own good deeds because we want to hold onto bad experiences more than we want to please Allah.
The admonition from Allah for the Believers to forgive in their own difficult circumstances should not be lost on us if we want Allah’s Mercy for hajj and for our lives:
Let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath against helping their kinsmen, those in want, and those who have left their homes in God’s cause: Let them forgive and overlook, do you not wish that God should forgive you? For God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Quran 24:22)
