Hajj: A Journey of Purity and Order, Says Chief Imam of Muritala Aliyu Kamaldeen

 Hajj: A Journey of Purity and Order, Says Chief Imam of Muritala Aliyu Kamaldeen

By Idris Alooma 

The Chief Imam of Elelu Central Mosque in Muritala Mohammed Way, Ilorin, Imam Aliyu Kamaldeen, has admonished all intending pilgrims to have the fear of Allah and obey Saudi regulations. This was contained in his Jumu’ah sermon.  

The frontline cleric said Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, a sacred obligation that every Muslim who is physically and financially able must fulfill at least once in a lifetime. Beyond its ritual rites, it is a profound spiritual journey — one that demands sincerity of heart, preparation of soul, and strict adherence to order. The sermon, delivered in both Arabic and English, captured these twin dimensions, reminding intending pilgrims for 2026 that acceptance of Hajj rests not only on devotion but also on discipline.  

Imam Kamaldeen said the theological foundation of Hajj is clear and emphatic. The Qur’an declares: _“And Hajj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for those who can afford the journey.”_ [3:97] This verse establishes Hajj not as a cultural trip, but as a divine debt owed by those with means. The reward for fulfilling it properly is equally weighty. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: _“Whoever performs Hajj and avoids obscene speech and sins will return like the day his mother gave birth to him.”_ In other words, a sincere Hajj erases the record of past sins. For this reason, the Imam charged those intending to go this year to begin with _tawbah_ — sincere repentance — and to purify their intention solely for Allah. Spiritual preparation must precede financial preparation. Without _ikhlas_, sincerity, the physical hardship of Hajj becomes an empty ritual.  

Yet the sermon was equally insistent on a second, often overlooked pillar of modern Hajj: compliance with regulations. In this era, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has instituted detailed health, safety, and organizational rules to protect the millions of pilgrims who gather in one place. The Imam stated plainly that obedience to the ruler in what is good is itself an act of worship, because it preserves life and order. Intending pilgrims were therefore instructed to secure official Hajj permits, follow all health and safety directives, and respect every law and instruction without exception. This is not bureaucracy for its own sake. It is the practical means by which stampedes are prevented, diseases are contained, and every pilgrim’s right to safe, dignified worship is protected. “This ensures safety, order, and acceptance of your Hajj,” the sermon noted, linking regulatory compliance directly to spiritual success.  

The Imam Kamaldeen who delivered the message in both Arabic and English underscored its universality. Hajj speaks to the heart in the language of revelation, but it governs the body through the language of administration. One without the other is incomplete. A pilgrim with a pure heart who ignores permit requirements endangers himself and others. A pilgrim with perfect papers but a corrupt intention returns with little more than travel fatigue. The true pilgrim marries both: inward repentance and outward obedience.  

The sermon closed with comprehensive supplications that reflected the communal spirit of Hajj. The Imam prayed for Allah’s forgiveness for all Muslims, living and dead; asked that Allah grant believers the opportunity to visit His Sacred House and the Prophet’s Mosque; and specifically implored ease, acceptance, and safe return for those embarking on Hajj 2026. He also prayed for those who desire Hajj but cannot yet go, asking that Allah “grant them a share in it.” This final prayer captures the essence of the pilgrimage: it is personal, but never private. The welfare of one pilgrim is tied to the welfare of the _ummah_.  

As preparations for Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH begin, the message of this sermon is timely. It reminds us that Hajj is neither mere tourism nor mere theology. It is worship embodied in order. The road to Arafat starts with repentance, passes through the Hajj commission office for a permit, and ends with a heart returned to its Lord “like the day he was born.” To achieve that, the intending pilgrim must carry two documents: a sincere intention before Allah, and an official permit before men. Both are required. Both are acts of faith.