Muhammad Sani-Aliyu, commissioner, ministry for religious affairs, Kebbi, has advised pilgrims to exhibit the fear of Allah through purity of intention.

He said that pilgrims’ stay at Muna, Munzalifa and Arfat was akin to the last day of judgement.

He disclosed this in Mecca during a sensitization session for pilgrims on how to perform Hajj in accordance with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

The programme was organised by the 2024 Hajj Da’awah Committee under the Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, preparatory to the commencement of the Hajj exercise on 8th Dhul Hijjah.

Speaking on a topic ‘Pillars of Hajj, obligatory, supligatory and voluntary aspects’, the commissioner said that all the pilgrims would appear in white cloth (Ihram), signifying that they were all equal before their creator.

The cleric said, “This implies that all of us are equal regardless of any differences, be it political, traditional or any form of power, race, tribe, country or anything else. It is just like the Day of Qiyamah (last Day of judgement).”

Mr Sani-Aliyu encouraged the pilgrims not to feel shy, instead, they should ask questions on any grey area on Hajj exercise.

Speaking on the same topic, AbdulMalik AbdurRahman, one of the clerics in Da’awah Committee, reminded the pilgrims that they have already performed Umrah, the supligatory aspect of Hajj (Sunnah), awaiting the obligatory (Hajj), which is due to commence on 8th Dhul Hijjah.

He advised those whose Umrah was questionable to repeat it before the commencement of Hajj, adding that Umrah was just a supligatory (Sunnah) aspect in Hajj.

Taking the pilgrims through the stages in Hajj step-by-step, the cleric admonished them to use the remaining period to learn how to perform Hajj effectively, right from wearing of Ihram, up to the time of removing it.

The sensitisation featured questions and answers where the pilgrims used the opportunity to divulge some ambiguous acts for clarification. 

(NAN)