What is the etiquette of returning from Hajj? My father went for Hajj this year and asked me to inquire about the etiquette that should be observed upon his return.

The etiquette of returning from Hajj include hastening one’s return to one’s country, engaging in supplication, hosting a meal on the occasion of returning from Hajj, informing one’s family of the date of arrival, avoiding sins and acts of disobedience, remaining attached to the Hereafter in order to preserve the purity attained through Hajj, thereby remaining in a state better than then before performing it.

Hajj is a divine blessing and a transformative experience. Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say, “Whosoever performs Hajj and does not engage in obscenity or immorality, returns as pure as on the day he was born” (recorded by Ishaq ibn Rahwiya in his Musnad).

People look upon those whom Allah has blessed with the performance of this obligation with admiration and reverence due to their recent proximity to the Sacred House of Allah Almighty and the profound significance of Hajj in their hearts. Therefore, it is necessary for pilgrims to be worthy of such a status by refining one’s manners and conduct. It was narrated that one of the signs of an accepted Hajj is that one becomes a better person after it than one was before.[1] Al-Hasan al-Basri was once asked, “What is an accepted Hajj?” He replied, “That you return from Hajj with little attachment to worldly life and a great desire for the Hereafter.”[2]

 

Etiquette upon returning from Hajj

There are several etiquettes that one should observed by one who has performed Hajj, all of which are derived from the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Observing them increases one’s reward and brings blessings. These include:

 

• Hastening to return to one’s country and family. ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “When one of you completes Hajj, he should hasten to return to his family, for that is greater in reward” (recorded by al-Daraqutni, alBaihaqi, and al-Hakim).

 

• Reciting the supplications of travel, saying: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Subhan illadhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrineen, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqaliboon. Allahuma inna nas`alaka fi safarina hadha al-birra wal taqwa, wa min al-‘amal ma tardah. Allahuma hawwin ‘alayna safarana hadha wa atwi ‘anna bu’dahu. Allahuma anta al-sahibu fi al-safar wal khalifatu fil ahl. Allahuma inni a’udhubu bika min wa’tha` as-safar, wa ka`abt al-mandhar wa suqi al-munqalabi fi al-mali wal ahl (“Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. Glory be to Him Who has provided this for us, and we ourselves would not have been capable of that through our own efforts, and to our Lord is our return. O Allah, we ask You for righteousness and piety in this journey of ours, and we ask You for deeds which please You. O Allah, make this journey easy on us and make it feel short for us. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the One in Whose care we leave our family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, from distressing sights, and from unfavorable outcomes regarding my wealth and family.” Upon returning, one should say, “We return, repent, worship and offer gratitude to our Lord.

 

• Reciting the transmitted Sunnah supplications. Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) returned from a campaign, Hajj, or ‘Umrah, would glorify Allah thrice upon every elevation of land, and then say: “There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah Alone, He has no partner. To Him belongs all dominion and all praise, and He has power over all things.  We return, repent, worship, and prostrate to our Lord, praising Him. Allah fulfilled His promise, granted victory to His servant, and defeated the combined forces Alone” (Bukhari and Muslim).[3]

 

• Informing one’s family of the date of arrival. Imam al-Nawawi noted in Al-Idah fi Manasik al-Hajj wal ‘Umrah that it is recommended, upon approaching one’s home, to send word ahead to one’s family to avoid arriving unexpectedly, in accordance with the Sunnah.

 

•  Reciting the recommended supplications when approaching one’s hometown by saying: “O Allah, I ask You for the good of this land, the good of its people, and the good within it.” It is also recommended to say: “O Allah, make it for us a place of settlement and good provision. O Allah, bless us with its fruits, protect us from its harm, make us beloved to its people, and make the righteous among them beloved to us.[4]

 

• Hosting a meal for others, as is customary for anyone returning from a journey. This is considered commendable in Islamic law, and its basis is established in the Sunnah. Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Medina, he slaughtered a camel or a cow. Al-Bukhari recorded this under the chapter “The food offered upon arrival from travel,” pointing to the recommendation of offering a celebratory meal after returning from a journey.[5]

 

• Bringing gifts that bring joy to one’s family and others that instill in them a longing to visit the Sacred House of Allah.

 

In summary, the most beneficial conduct for one returning from Hajj is to uphold noble manners consistent with the completion of this great act of worship and to preserve the blessings one has gained through its rites and sacred places.