Alaafin to intending Hajj pilgrims: Fear God

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has said the main object of the hajj, as in any other form of Islamic worship, is to create the spirit of submission to God and to nourish spiritual joy.
He spoke at the Oyo State Muslims’ Pilgrims Camp,
Olodo, in Ibadan. Oba Adeyemi stated that the spirit of the hajj is the spirit of total sacrifice – of personal comforts, worldly pleasures, the acquisition
of wealth, the companionship of relatives, friends, the vanities of
dress, personal appearance, and of pride relating to birth, national
origin, accomplishments, work, or social status.
‘’By nature, every human feels the need of demonstrating their
worship, their servitude to the Creator. Hajj is a form of worship
that truly gives believers the opportunity to expose humbleness, to
express devotedness as servants, and to demonstrate gratitude before
the Creator for all the blessings He bestowed’’.
‘’ Those who perform the Hajj leave all worldly bonds behind; they
abandon wealth, possessions, position and status, and turn to the
Creator in humbleness. Standing in total submission before the One of
eternal power and might, the believer expresses absolute devotion and
worship to God, which in turn awakens the believer to the joy and
pleasures of servitude’’.
The paramount ruler urged the intending pilgrims to this year’s hajj
exercise to give the journey for the pilgrimage the seriousness it
deserves and be good ambassadors of the country in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier in his sermon, renowned Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ajani Bello,
said that the Hajj is in the months well-known adding that whoever
undertakes the duty of Hajj in them, there is no sensual indulgence,
nor wicked conduct, nor disputing during the Hajj.
‘’Hajj is defined in this verse of the Qur’ân: “…Pilgrimage to the
House is a duty owed to God by all who can afford a way to it…” The
rewards of performing  Hajj once in a lifetime, for those who have the
financial means and physical capability, are numerous, and these words
of the Prophet are more than significant in conveying the abundance of
the holy pilgrimage’’.
 “Whoever performs the Hajj and does not commit obscenity or
transgression, he returns purified from sin just like the day his
mother gave birth to him.Hajj Awakens Humans to the Joy of Servitude .
Hajj Is clear evidence that every human Is equal in the eyes of the
Creator’’.
Sheikh Bello noted that Hajj is a form of worship that brings millions
of Muslims together every year regardless of race, language, color,
nation, culture, position, or status.
 ‘’Portraying an inspiring scene of brotherhood and equality, the
millions of Muslims from all walks of life gather together for the
same purpose, in worship and submission to the Creator. Dressed
identically, the wealthy Muslims alongside the poor, the powerful
integrated with the weak, all enduring the same difficulties, but even
more important, all experiencing the discipline of equality and
brotherhood. Hajj is total submission, a form of worship that makes
the rich stand together, shoulder to shoulder on mount Arafat
supplicating together, or circling the Ka’bah side by side with the
deprived that can barely provide for their families’’.
He went further, ‘’Hajj teaches Muslims not to boast regarding their
position, status, wealth or possessions. It teaches them to gather and
integrate according to the Islamic boundaries of brotherhood and to
never forget the Day of Reckoning. Hajj increases devotedness to
Islam’’.
By performing the worship of Hajj, Sheikh Bello submitted that a
Muslim displays gratification to the Lord for health, accomplishments,
wealth and possessions bestowed by God.
He warned. ‘’the Muslims who perform Hajj must display patience and
tolerance, endure hardships, and confront difficulties. They develop
the abilities of acting together as a group, performing the same
actions together in huge crowds, integration, and helping others while
adapting to the specific rules and regulations’’.
In his message, Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Olalekan Alli, charged the intending pilgrims to adhere strictly to rules and regulations of Hajj
operations and Saudi Arabia.
While enjoining them to pray fervently for their families,
communities, and their country for peace and quick recovery of the
ailing economy, Alli also cautioned them against despicable acts that
are inimical to their lives and the nation.