Q: I am very despondent at the moment as I feel that I will never be able to visit Makkah and Madinah because I am not earning and also do not have financial means to go. I feel that I will never get a chance to go. Please make dua for me to go and also advise me on how I can change my thinking and be hopeful in the mercy of Allah.
A: Though it is the desire of every believer that he be blessed with the opportunity to visit the Holy Lands (Makkah Mukarramah and Madina Tayyiba), the greater concern should be earning the pleasure of Allah Ta’aala at every moment. At the time Hadhrat Muaaz (Radhiallahu Anhu) was appointed as the governer of Yemen by Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Hadhrat Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) escorted him to the outskirts of Madina Munawwarah to send him off. Hadhrat Muaaz (Radhiallahu Anhu) was extremely sad that he had to leave the company of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and leave the land of Madina Munawwarah. Hadhrat Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) comforted him and gave him the following golden advice: “ O Muaaz! Those who adopt taqwa (i.e. they refrain from sins and adhere to the Mubaarak Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) at every moment in their lives) are the closest to me whomsoever they may be (i.e. Arab or non-Arab) and wherever they may be residing. On the converse, if a person does not adhere to the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and his Mubaarak Sunnah, he can be residing in Makkah Mukarramah and Madina Tayyibah, yet he will be distant from Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) (as was the case of the hypocrites who resided in Madina Tayyibah at the time of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)). Insha Allah, Allah Ta’aala will bless us with the complete Sunnah and take us to the Holy Lands.
وعن معاذ بن جبل رضي الله عنه قال : لما بعثه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى اليمن خرج معه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يوصيه ومعاذ راكب ورسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يمشي تحت راحلته فلما فرغ قال : يا معاذ إنك عسى أن لا تلقاني بعد عامي هذا ولعلك أن تمر بمسجدي هذا وقبري ” فبكى معاذ جشعا لفراق رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ثم التفت فأقبل بوجهه نحو المدينة فقال : ” إن أولى الناس بي المتقون من كانوا وحيث كانوا ” (مشكوةالمصابيح ص 445-446)
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)