Why Hajj Demands Human Forgiveness and Sufi Self-Purification- Alhaji Osman offers an answer

Hajj is a profound journey of spiritual rebirth. Millions of Muslims gather in Mecca annually, seeking the ultimate prize: the complete erasure of past misdeeds and perfection for one’s future.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) affirmed this reward, stating, "Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's sake and does not have sexual relations with his wife and does not do evil or commit sins, then he will return from Hajj as pure and free from sins as a newborn child" (Bukhari).

Yet, a critical theological distinction exists regarding this purification. While Allah mercifully forgives the shortcomings committed directly against Him, the sins committed against fellow human beings remain tethered to the sinner.

True success in Hajj requires travelers to seek reconciliation and forgiveness from people before, during, and after their journey.

The Two Domains of Sin
Islamic jurisprudence divides sins into Huquq Allah (the rights of Allah) and Huquq al-Ibad (the rights of people). Allah is the Most Merciful and can freely pardon any violation of His rights. However, divine justice dictates that Allah does not bypass the rights of His creation. Sins involving human wrongdoing—such as theft, slander, backbiting, betrayal and corruption—cannot be erased by Hajj alone. These accounts remain open until the victim or society grants forgiveness.

The Prophet warned about the spiritual bankruptcy caused by violating human rights, explaining that a person who arrives on the Day of Judgment with perfect prayers and fasting but who slandered or harmed others will have their good deeds given away to their victims until they are bankrupt and cast into the Hellfire (Muslim).

Eradicating Diseases of the Heart: The Sufi Necessity

Why do we continue to harm others even when we perform our physical rituals? While the five daily prayers, fasting, and outer rites of Hajj are foundational, they often remain mechanical. They do not easily eliminate deep-seated spiritual sicknesses like backbiting, envy (hasad), malice, and arrogance. These are internal diseases of the heart that naturally overflow into toxic behavior toward our fellow human beings.

To bridge this gap, pilgrims must embrace the principles and practices of Sufism (Tawassuf), which focuses on Tazkiyat al-Nafs (purification of the soul). Sufi principles teach that outer worship is empty without inner transformation. By practicing Muraqaba (mindfulness of Allah’s presence) and constant Dhikr (remembrance), a believer develops and attains the rank of Ihsan— the state of worshipping Allah as if seeing Him.

Sufi disciplines actively target the root causes of human conflict:

Envy is destroyed by recognizing that Allah distributes blessings as He wills.

Malice is dissolved by cultivating a heart of universal love (Mahabba).

Backbiting is cured by Samt (sacred silence) and looking at one's own faults instead of the faults of others.

Without these inner dimensions, a pilgrim may perform the physical rituals of Hajj while still carrying an untamed ego that breaks human hearts in the crowded streets of Mecca.

“Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater." Quran 29:45.

The Sufi tradition emphasizes that Salat and Zikr are two parts of a single spiritual ecosystem. Salat is like washing yourself clean five times a day to stay pure. Zikr is the continuous awareness that keeps you from getting dirty in between those washes. Salat restrains your physical limbs from acting out badly, but constant zikr transforms your heart so that you lose the desire to do bad things in the first place.

Reconciliation Before, During, and After Hajj

The spiritual preparation for Hajj must begin at home through both physical amends and Sufi self-reckoning (Muhasaba). Initiating contact with estranged people to settle debts and mend broken relationships is a prerequisite for an accepted pilgrimage.

Allah commands: "The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy" (Quran 49:10).

During the pilgrimage, the crowded environment of Hajj serves as an immediate testing ground. Tempers flare easily. Pilgrims must apply Sufi patience (Sabr) and humility, keeping in mind the divine mandate: "Hajj is [during] well-known months... there is [to be] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj" (Quran 2:197).

After returning from Hajj, a transformed soul must maintain this state of peace. True reconciliation is not a temporary checkbox; it is a permanent lifeclass shift. Returning home with a clean slate regarding Allah means a pilgrim must continuously use Sufi tools to police their ego, ensuring they never return to the destructive habits of backbiting and malice.

Recommendations for pilgrims and non-pilgrims

To ensure that your Hajj is truly accepted and your spiritual slate is entirely clean, prioritize these actions:

Audit Your Inner and Outer Relationships: Before leaving, list anyone you have hurt, slandered, or envied, and actively seek their pardon.

Adopt Daily Dhikr and Reflection: Use spiritual remembrance to soften the heart and weaken the ego's urge to backbite or hold grudges.

Return Owed Property: Settle all financial debts and rectify unfair transactions.

Initiate Peace: Break the ice with estranged relatives. The Prophet said, "It is not lawful for a Muslim to boycott his brother for more than three days... and the better of the two is the one who initiates the greeting" (Bukhari).

Practice Active Forgiveness: Just as you beg Allah to forgive you, open your heart to forgive those who have wronged you. Allah asks, "Should you not love that Allah should forgive you?" (Quran 24:22).

Hajj is a golden opportunity to reset your relationship with your Creator. As I write this article, millions of Muslims are returning home from Hajj, thinking that all their past sins have been completely erased and forgiven, but there is so much to worry about.

Do not allow unresolved human conflicts and hidden spiritual diseases to compromise this divine gift. Clear your accounts with humanity so Allah may fully clear His account with you.

God bless our homeland Ghana and make her greater and stronger.

Happy Eidul Adkha.
Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman
Tafidan Hausa for Africa and Europe.
Executive Director, African Security and Development Forum (ASDEF).

Eminent Member and Chairman of the Finance and Fundraising Committee, GARPC - the National Peace Council of Ghana

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