The Forgotten Pilgrims: Honoring Those Exempted From Hajj

As someone born with a physical disability, I was told during my early childhood by many in my community that I was exempt from going for Hajj . I knew this was only out of reassuring comfort, but I felt a deep sense of rejection and loss. It did not help to hear the language used during the Dhul Hijjah season, where anyone who was “invited” to go for Hajj was told that Allah had chosen them to visit His Home. Their invitation was honored and celebrated as a community. This inadvertently dishonors those who are not able to go for Hajj that year—whether due to financial constraints or debts—, or those exempted from going throughout their lives due to health. It can ultimately weigh heavily witnessing repeated celebrations, because it reinforces the notion that those exempted were not just not included by Allah —and the community—but also left behind. As a child, it confused me why Allah did not make Hajj easy, so that everyone could perform pilgrimage out of love for Him. I was reassured by my mother that I could perform U mrah one day, which is the lesser pilgrimage. A pilgrimage that was more manageable and one that could be done throughout the year. “Will I ever be able to pray like everyone prays at Arafat under the skies during Hajj season?” “Will I ever get to throw rocks to ward off Shaitan like pilgrims do during Hajj season to remember Prophet Ibrahim ?” I felt grateful for the option of U mrah, but due to feeling connected to the stories of the Prophets (peace be upon them), I felt like I was missing out on not doing activities that the Prophets (peace be upon them) would do. Wasn’t it a form of honor to follow in their footsteps? Isn’t Hajj a means for us to follow in Prophet Muhammad’s footsteps? I do not think I would have felt a deep sense of loss if those exempted from Hajj were not inadvertently overlooked—and to some extent—dishonored in the community. Here are 3 steps to honor those exempted from Hajj: 1. Focus on Allah’s Mercy instead of invitation—both for going and not going Those who go for Hajj are only doing so out of His Mercy, and those who are not able to go are also not going out of His Mercy. Shift the focus away from Allah inviting some over others, and rather focus on how our circumstances are out of His Mercy. Allah , after all, reveals, “ Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned. “Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.” [Surah Al-Baqarah; 2:286] Exemption is, therefore, not exclusion—it is Allah’s Mercy out of recognition of human limits. 2. Recognize the honor behind obedience for going and not going Those who go for Hajj do so out of obedience, and those who do not go out of exemption are also not going out of obedience. Acknowledge that both are acting out of obedience, and that there is honor in both. As Allah revealed, “In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.” [ Surah ‘Ali ‘Imran 3:97] Just because we are exempted from going for Hajj does not mean we are negated as believers. It rather means we are growing out of obedience as believers for not going. The ultimate honor is being a believer. 3. Belonging through remembrance of Seerah—those left behind were never left behind There were many Companions during the Prophet Muhammad’s time who either wanted to go for Hajj or join battles, but had to be left behind. There were some Muslims during the Battle of Tabuk who were exempted from going. It was narrated by Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet Muhammad said: “There are people whom we left behind in Madinah who accompany us in spirit in every pass and valley we cross. They have been detained by a valid excuse .” – Sahih al‑Bukhari (Hadith 4423) The language “accompany us in spirit,” and “every pass and valley,” is inclusive and reinforces the notion that the valid exemption never meant that they were left behind. Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh further said that the Prophet Muhammad said: “ They shared the reward with you.” – Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1911) Just as those companions were rewarded, despite physical absence, Muslims today who are exempted from Hajj can still share in the spiritual reward through intention and longing. The Prophet deliberately emphasized their belonging, preventing feelings of exclusion. The best way to honor those exempted is to include them in the way the Prophet Muhammad did when one had to physically stay behind. Hajj is a pilgrimage of the body, but Dhul Hijjah is also a pilgrimage of the heart. My mom would turn on the live screening of those doing tawaf during Hajj, and when I was still able to walk, she would encourage me to pretend as if I were doing tawaf. I would try to walk across our living room seven times, just like pilgrims would circulate around the Kaabah 7 times. I may not be able to physically go for Hajj, but I trust that Allah accepted my trying to walk as if circulating around His Home. The forgotten pilgrims are not forgotten by Allah . Their reward is preserved, their longing is honored, and they belong as part of this Ummah. Dhul Hijjah is a season of mercy, remembrance, and spiritual growth. The journeys of those exempted are written not in footsteps, but in patience, intention, and trust. For the wider community, honoring the “forgotten pilgrims” means shifting our language, recognizing obedience in exemption, and affirming that no believer is left behind, just like those in the seerah were never left behind. Related: – [Podcast] Muslims and Disability: A Way Forward | Sa’diyyah Nesar – Accommodations For People With Disabilities At Mosques The post The Forgotten Pilgrims: Honoring Those Exempted From Hajj appeared first on MuslimMatters.org .