An Islamic cleric, Lukman Hamidu-Yauri, has charged pilgrims to be grateful to God Almighty for the opportunity to perform Hajj.

He said performing hajj and zakat are only for the few privileged Muslims.

Mr Hamidu-Yauri, who is also a member of the Da’awah Committee, Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, stated this at a routine enlightenment session shortly after the dawn (Subh) prayer in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday.

The essence of the enlightenment is to educate the pilgrims on rituals of hajj towards an acceptable hajj (Hajj Mabrur).

He said, “You should be grateful to your creator, who has chosen you out of millions of people to come and perform one of the pillars of Islam. Only the privileged few are usually given the opportunity.’’

The cleric tasked the pilgrims on purity of intention to be able to earn the desired reward from the Almighty Allah, saying that worship (Ibadat) “is due to Allah (SWT) alone.”

Taking his text from the Hadith of the holy Prophet (PBUH), the cleric said on the day of judgement (day of Qiyamah), a knowledgeable person would be brought before Allah (SWT) and Allah will ask him the following.

The cleric said, “We have given you knowledge, what did you do with it? The man will reply, I used it to teach people your religion. I did this and that. Then the Almighty will say, no, you taught them to gain recognition from the people and you have gotten it. A wealthy person will also be brought before Allah (SWT) and he will be asked, we have enriched you with money, what did you do with it? The man will reply, I have used it to assist people, feed the needy among others.

“But Allah will say no, you have done that not for my sake but for people to see and hail you and they did.’’

He added that the third person would also stand before his creator and Allah (SWT) would ask the same question and the person would give an answer similar to the duo but without any fruitful result.

Mr Hamidu-Yauri stressed the need for the people to appreciate God Almighty, saying, “If God showers His blessing upon you, accept the gift, appreciate and pray to God to increase you in faith.”

On his part, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar-Walid urged the pilgrims to remain disciplined and obey constituted authorities

He cautioned them against using their Ihram illegally to perform another Dawaf, warning, “this is illegal and not encouraged.”

(NAN)