Dhul-Hijjah 19, 1447 (June 5, 2026)
Assalaamun Alaykum Warahmatullah Taallah Wabarakatuhu
This week, we present two topics:
Part I: The Significance of Pilgrims’ Visitation to Madinah, and
Part II: After Hajj, What Next? An Admonition to the Returning Pilgrims.
(Part I)
The Significance of Pilgrims’ Visitation to Madinah
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. We praise Him, we seek His help, and we ask for His forgiveness. We testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, and we testify that Prophet Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, upon his family, his companions, and all those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam,
One of the most emotional moments in the life of a Muslim is the journey to Madinah, the City of Peace. After the physical struggles of Hajj in Makkah, many pilgrims travel with tears in their eyes and love in their hearts toward the blessed city that welcomed the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) after years of persecution.
Visiting Madinah is not one of the compulsory rites of Hajj, yet its spiritual significance cannot be overstated. Madinah is not just another city. It is the city of mercy, sacrifice, brotherhood, and revelation. It is the city where Islam transformed from a persecuted message into a flourishing civilization. Every street, every mountain, and every corner of Madinah carries memories of faith, struggle, patience, and victory.
When pilgrims enter Madinah, many feel a calmness they cannot explain. Unlike the intensity and movement of Makkah, Madinah gives tranquility to the soul. It is a city personally loved by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He prayed for its blessings and peace. He walked its streets, comforted the poor there, taught the Qur’an there, and established a society built upon justice and compassion there.
At the center of this blessed city stands Al-Masjid an-Nabawi — the Prophet’s Mosque.
For many pilgrims, the first sight of the green dome and the sacred mosque brings uncontrollable tears.
Why? Because love for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) lives deep within the hearts of believers. A Muslim may never see the Prophet physically in this world, yet through faith, prayers, and sacrifice, he develops an emotional connection with him.
The visitation to Madinah reminds Muslims that Islam is not merely rituals. Islam is character, mercy, patience, and humanity. Inside the Prophet’s Mosque, pilgrims remember how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forgave enemies who harmed him, fed the hungry, comforted widows, and stood for justice. They remember how he carried the burdens of his community with compassion and humility.
One of the most moving moments for pilgrims is offering salutations near the resting place of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Standing there, many believers reflect upon the enormous sacrifices made by the Messenger of Allah. They remember how he endured insults in Makkah, migrated to Madinah, buried his loved ones there, and continued serving humanity until his final breath.
That visitation is not about worshipping the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Islam strictly forbids worship of anyone besides Allah. Rather, it is an expression of love, gratitude, and respect for the man through whom Allah guided humanity from darkness into light.
Dear servants of Allah,
Madinah also teaches the lessons of brotherhood and social harmony. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived there after migration, the people of Madinah — known as the Ansar — opened their homes and hearts to the Muhajirun who came from Makkah.
They shared food, shelter, wealth, and emotional support.
In today’s world filled with tribalism, racism, sectarian hatred, and political division, Madinah reminds us that true faith unites people beyond ethnic and social boundaries.
In Madinah, Bilal the African, Salman Al-Falsi the Persian, and Suhayb the Roman stood side by side as brothers. The mosque became a center of equality where no race or tribe was superior except through righteousness.
Pilgrims visiting Madinah should therefore return home with transformed hearts. The journey should not end with photographs and souvenirs alone. The real souvenir from Madinah should be good character. If someone visits Madinah yet returns home arrogant, dishonest, oppressive, or hateful, then he has missed the essence of the journey.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught kindness to neighbors, mercy to children, honesty in business, humility in leadership, and patience during hardship. Madinah was the practical classroom where these values were demonstrated daily.
Another important lesson from Madinah is the value of peaceful coexistence. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) established agreements among Muslims, Jews, and other communities living in the city. This historical example remains highly relevant today, especially in societies facing religious tensions and conflicts. Madinah shows us that communities can live together with justice, mutual respect, and human dignity.
For pilgrims from countries like Nigeria, the visitation to Madinah should inspire renewed commitment toward peacebuilding, interfaith harmony, and moral leadership. A Muslim who truly understands the message of Madinah cannot become an agent of hatred or division.
Dear brothers and sisters,
The blessed sites around Madinah also carry strong lessons.
Mount Uhud reminds pilgrims about sacrifice and obedience. It reminds us of the martyrs who gave their lives defending Islam.
Quba Mosque reminds us about sincerity and the rewards of worship. Jannat al-Baqi reminds us about death, humility, and the temporary nature of this worldly life.
Every visit in Madinah whispers a message to the believer: “Prepare for your return to Allah.”
Many pilgrims leave Madinah crying because departure from the city feels painful. But perhaps the greatest sign that Madinah has touched a person’s heart is when the person returns home spiritually renewed — praying more sincerely, speaking more gently, forgiving more easily, and serving humanity more selflessly.
Dear Muslims,
As we reflect on the significance of visiting Madinah, let us remember that loving the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) requires more than emotional attachment.
True love means following his teachings in our homes, markets, schools, mosques, offices, and governments.
Our world today desperately needs the mercy of Madinah, the brotherhood of Madinah, the justice of Madinah, and the humanity of Madinah.
May Allah grant all believers the opportunity to visit Madinah and pray in Al-Masjid an-Nabawi.
May He fill our hearts with sincere love for Prophet Muhammad.
May He allow us to carry the lessons of Madinah into our daily lives and our societies.
Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings and peace upon him abundantly.
Ameen.
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(Part II)
After Hajj, What Next?
An Admonition to Returning Pilgrims
All praise is due to Allah, Who granted some of His servants the opportunity to visit His Sacred House, stand on the plain of Arafah, circumambulate the Ka’bah, and complete the rites of Hajj. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his family, companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
Dear brothers and sisters, especially our returning pilgrims, we congratulate you on completing one of the greatest pillars of Islam. Hajj is not merely a journey to Makkah; it is a journey of spiritual rebirth. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“Whoever performs Hajj and avoids obscenity and sin will return as pure as the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
But after Hajj, an important question remains: What next?
The true acceptance of Hajj is not measured by the photographs taken in Makkah, the souvenirs brought home, or the titles acquired. Rather, it is measured by the transformation of one’s character and relationship with Allah.
A pilgrim who has sincerely performed Hajj should return with a renewed commitment to prayer. The five daily prayers must become a permanent priority. The tears shed before Allah in Arafah should continue to flow in sincere repentance and supplication.
Returning pilgrims should also become ambassadors of good character. During Hajj, millions of Muslims from different races, languages, and cultures coexist peacefully. This lesson of patience, tolerance, humility, and brotherhood must continue after returning home.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah.” (Qur’an 2:196)
Completing Hajj for Allah means preserving its spiritual fruits long after the journey has ended.
Dear pilgrims, beware of returning to the same sins you abandoned before and during Hajj. Do not allow backbiting, dishonesty, corruption, oppression, or arrogance to erase the blessings of your sacred journey. A sign of an accepted Hajj is that a person becomes better after returning than before departing.
The community also has expectations of you. People will now look up to you as examples of Islamic conduct. Let your homes become centres of worship, your businesses examples of integrity, and your relationships models of justice and compassion.
Remember that Hajj is not the end of worship; it is the beginning of a renewed covenant with Allah. Just as the pilgrim leaves behind the garments of ihram, he must also leave behind the garments of sin and heedlessness.
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As we welcome our pilgrims home, we pray that Allah accepts their Hajj, forgives their sins, blesses their families, and grants them steadfastness in faith. May He make them sources of guidance, peace, and righteousness in their communities.
O Allah, accept the Hajj of our pilgrims, strengthen them upon Your obedience, and make their final destination Jannatul Firdaus.
Ameen.
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Endeavour to recite Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18: Verses 1-110).
Eid Mubarak wa Juma’ah Mabrouq
