It is interesting to note that the title of this book so aptly reminds us that Hajj is the one and only one obligatory act that Allah commands us Muslims to perform only once in his lifetime, and that is if he can afford it.
Out of the five pillars of Islam that every true Muslim upholds, namely
- Syahadah – the proclamation of faith in Allah and His Prophet, Muhammad (pbuh)
- Solat – the five daily prayers
- Fasting in the month of Ramadan
- Zakat – tithe collected for the poor, the needy and other beneficiaries
- Hajj – pilgrammage to Makkah
Only the fifth pillar, ie Hajj, is a one-off duty that is no longer obligatory once it has been fulfilled. Considering that the queue to perform Hajj nowadays is so long that it can stretch up to a 60 years in some Muslim majority countries, it is only logical to limit Hajj to once per person so as to give others a chance to perform it within their lifetime.
The story tells of Yan, who works hard on his farm to earn enough money before setting off for Hajj, but he meets others along the way who are badly in need of help. So he postpones his trip and decides to help them instead. Discover the heart-warming events that unfold as Yan’s sincere efforts and generosity finally brought him on his special journey of a lifetime!
Sample pages :
Book information :
Title : Yan’s Hajj – The Journey of a Lifetime
By : Fawzia Gillani-Williams
ISBN : 9780860376231
Pages : 32
Publisher : The Islamic Foundation
For ages : 4 – 8
Papyrus Books 