An Islamic cleric, Kabiru Umar-Wasagu, deputy imam of the Birnin Kebbi Central Mosque, has charged pilgrims to completely submit to Sunnatic Hajj rituals to perform Hajj Mabrur.

He stated this while addressing the pilgrims shortly after the Subhi (dawn) prayer on Sunday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The cleric stressed the need for the pilgrims not to overstep the boundary and keep to all instructions of Prophet Muhammad to earn Allah’s favour towards Hajj Mabrur (acceptable Hajj).

Taking his text from the Qur’an and the Hadith of the prophet, the cleric took time to explain how to perform Dawaf (circumambulation) and Sa’ayi (trekking from the mountain of Safa to the mountain of Marwa), according to Sunnah.

Mr Umar-Wasagu reminded them that: “Hajarul Aswad (black stone)’ on Kaabah is a stone brought from Paradise, and it is the right place to start Dawaf.

“Ka’aba is a secret glorified house but you are not instructed to touch or scratch it to earn blessing but to circumambulate (go round it),” noted the cleric.

Explaining how to perform Sa’ayi, Umar-Wasagu said a pilgrim “is expected to recite ‘Innas Safa Wal Marwata min shi’a’irillah ………” and turn his face to Ka’abah and pray to God almighty.

He said, “If you cannot recite it, just say Bismillah, turn your face to Ka’abah, pray to God Almighty, and commence Sa’ayi. This is what the Prophet did and we should keep to it.”

Mr Umar-Wasgu advised pilgrims to be modest and not to be carried away by the acts of some people who ignorantly do certain things contrary to prophetic teachings.

He added, “If you go to Arafat, do not collect the sand or stones from Arfat, it is not Sunnatic. You are expected to engage in azkar, recitation of the holy Qur’an and supplications. Pray for yourself, your family, your friends, your town, your state, your country and the entire Muslim Ummah.

“Remember, the Prophet (SAW) said the best of prayer on Arfat Day is: ‘La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharikalahu lahul mulku walahul hamdu wahuwa ala kulli shai-in qadir’. This is the du’a of the Prophets before me.”

Mr Umar-Wasagu encouraged the pilgrims to be close to Islamic scholars to learn more about how to perform their Hajj per the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad.

(NAN)