Another recital when welcoming a Haji?

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) once made this du’a:

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْحَاجِّ وَلِمَنِ اسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُ الْحَاجُّ

Allahummaghfir lil Haj, wa liman istaghfara lahul Haj

Translation

O Allah! forgive the Haji and all those for whom the Haji seeks forgiveness.

(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith: 2516, Chapter of it being mustahab for the Haji to make du’a for others…‘ and Mustadrak Hakim, vol.1 pg.441, Sunanul Kubra of Bayhaqi, vol.5 pg.261, Chapter of making du’a for the Haji, and the du’a of the Haji. Also see Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 12801, Chapter of the reward of Haj.)

This Hadith does not state that these words be mentioned to the Haji face to face. Rather this is a du’a that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) made for the Haji in abstentia. Therefore, ideally people may make this du’a for the Hajis in their general day to day du’as. This is not a recital for when meeting a Haji.

The above explanation is supported by the chapter names in which the above sources have cited this Hadith.

Further, the fact that this very Hadith has also been recorded with the following words also supports my conclusion:

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

‘Allah forgives the Haji and for those on whose behalf the Haji seeks forgiveness.’

(Musnad Bazzar, Hadith: 9726. Also see Majma’uz Zawaid, vol.3 pg.211)

In the above version, Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) merely informed the Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum) of this virtue of the Haji. Here too, there is no direct address to any Haji as a du’a for him.

Summary

Ideally people may make this du’a for the Hajis in abstentia, in their general day to day du’as. This is not a recital for when meeting a returning Haji.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar