Friday khutba – May 8, 2026 (21 Dhū al-Qa‘dah 1447 AH)
The Pilgrimage and the Sacred Rituals of Allah in the Life of a Muslim
All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help, and seek His forgiveness. We bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner, and that Muhammad (salla lláhu ʻalayhi wa sallam) is His servant and Messenger.
Allah the Exalted says: “O you who believe, fear Allah and speak words of righteousness. He will rectify your deeds for you and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed attained a tremendous success.”
Servants of Allah,
Today we reflect upon one of the greatest symbols of Islam and one of the most magnificent acts of worship ordained by Allah — the pilgrimage to the Sacred House of Allah.
Hajj is not merely a journey of the body; it is a journey of the heart, the soul, and the entire being toward Allah. Within this mighty pillar of Islam are gathered all forms of devotion and servitude. It combines prayer, remembrance, sacrifice, patience, humility, generosity, and complete submission to the command of Allah.
The pilgrim leaves behind worldly comforts and adornments, clothing himself in simple garments, so that nothing remains in his heart except sincerity and piety, and nothing emerges from his tongue except the words of devotion: “Labbayka Allahumma labbayk — Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am.”
Dear brothers and sisters,
The story of Hajj begins with the blessed call of Prophet Ibrahim when Allah commanded him: “And proclaim to the people the pilgrimage.” (22:27)
Ibrahim asked: “My Lord, how will my voice reach the people?” Allah replied: “You are only responsible for the call, and We shall deliver it.”
So Ibrahim stood among the mountains of Makkah and called humanity to the pilgrimage. That call traveled across centuries and continents, crossing oceans and deserts, until it reached the hearts of believers throughout the world — and today it has reached us here in Prague.
Every pilgrim who says “Labbayk Allahumma labbayk” is responding to the call of Ibrahim.
The word Hajj in Arabic carries the meaning of intention and purpose. Before the believer travels physically to the Sacred House, he first turns toward Allah with his heart and soul. He leaves behind the distractions of worldly life seeking purification, hoping to return free from sin like the day his mother gave birth to him.
This reminds us that the ultimate goal of the believer is not worldly success or material beauty, but the pleasure of Allah and closeness to Him.
Servants of Allah,
The rituals of Hajj contain profound lessons that we desperately need in our lives today.
When the pilgrim walks between Safa and Marwa, he remembers our mother Hajar as she ran through the barren desert searching for water for her infant son. Despite loneliness, fear, and hardship, she never lost hope in Allah. Her heart remained full of certainty and trust.
She believed with complete conviction: “Allah will never abandon us.”
This is exactly the lesson we need here in the heart of Europe.
We must strive to preserve our faith, raise our children upon Islam, and protect our Islamic identity with confidence in Allah. The Lord who caused Zamzam to spring forth in the middle of a lifeless desert is fully capable of protecting His servants wherever they may live, so long as they remain sincere and steadfast upon His religion.
Dear Muslims,
Among the greatest lessons of Hajj are the following:
1. Brotherhood and Unity in Faith
During Hajj, all worldly distinctions disappear. Differences of nationality, race, language, and social status fade away. Millions stand side by side wearing the same garments and worshipping the same Lord.
A Muslim from the farthest East stands beside his brother from the farthest West united by faith and remembrance of Allah.
This is a lesson we especially need here in Prague. Our unity must be built upon faith, and we must never allow ethnicity, nationality, or worldly differences to divide our hearts.
2. Complete Submission to Allah
The pilgrim circles the Kaaba and performs the rites of Hajj solely because Allah commanded them. This teaches the believer the true meaning of servitude: to submit completely to Allah in worship, family life, morality, and every aspect of life — even when it opposes personal desires and inclinations.
3. Remembering the Hereafter
The sight of pilgrims dressed in white garments reminds us of the Day of Judgment, when humanity will stand before Allah possessing nothing except their deeds.
For this reason Allah begins Surat al-Hajj by saying: “O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the earthquake of the Hour will be a tremendous thing.” (22:1)
Hajj reminds the believer that this worldly life is temporary and that every soul will ultimately return to Allah.
Brothers and sisters,
Some Muslims may feel sadness because they were not able to perform Hajj this year. Yet the believer knows that the Lord of Makkah is the Lord of all worlds, and that closeness to Allah is not limited to one place alone.
Whoever cannot physically reach the Sacred House may still draw near to the Lord of the House through sincere repentance, humble worship, remembrance, and righteous deeds.
We are also approaching the blessed first ten days of Dhū al-Hijjah — days honored by Allah Himself when He swore by them:
“By the ten nights.” (89:2)
These are among the greatest days of the year for fasting, remembrance of Allah, charity, and righteous deeds.
Among our greatest responsibilities during these blessed days is teaching our children the meaning of these sacred rituals.
Our children here in the Czech Republic do not experience the atmosphere of Hajj as children in Muslim countries do. They do not witness the pilgrims or hear the voices proclaiming:
“Labbayka Allahumma labbayk.”
Therefore, it is our duty as parents to bring these meanings closer to their hearts and help them develop love and attachment to these sacred symbols of Islam.
I say to every father and mother:
Teach your children about Hajj through practical experiences and meaningful activities. Encourage them to attend programs and gatherings that help them understand the rites of pilgrimage — the Kaaba, Safa and Marwa, sacrifice, and devotion to Allah. Children are often more deeply affected by what they see and experience than by what they merely hear.
So let these blessed days become an opportunity to strengthen the Islamic identity of our families and children.
Fill your homes with the remembrance of Allah. Remain steadfast in obedience to Him and hold firmly to His religion so that Allah may be pleased with us when we return to Him.
O Allah, make us among those who honor Your sacred rites and answer Your call with sincerity and obedience.
O Allah, grant us the blessing of visiting Your Sacred House and accept our deeds and forgive our sins.
O Allah, protect our children, strengthen them in faith, and make them among Your righteous servants.
