On Monday 6 August 2018 / 24 Dhul Qi’dah 1439 we visited Shaykh Ubayd al-Jaabiree hafidhahullah, in his house.

The Shaykh welcomed the Taqwa Hajj 2018 brothers warmly, he was kind and extremely hospitable, constantly asking his son if we had had enough Qahwa [traditional Arabic coffee]. The Shaykh had a very warm personality and beautiful sense of humour.

The Shaykh was in good spirits and appeared to be in good health. He enquired about all brothers’ names and ethnic origins and also enquired about Abu Khadeejah and Abu Hakeem حفظهما الله

Throughout the sitting the Shaykh emphasised the importance of speaking correct Fusha [classical] Arabic and spoke very eloquently himself.

Abu idrees حفظه الله informed the Shaykh that he started trips to Masjid al-Aqsa and has been there a few times. The Shaykh was pleased with this. He enquired about the safety of those who travel with Abu Idrees. The Shaykh then mentioned some benefits about Masjid Aqsa and its history.

The Shaykh gave a brief talk, translated in person by Ustaadh Abu Idrees حفظه الله. Here are some brief points:

After praising Allah and sending salutations to His Messenger he said:

I ask Allah that He accepts your Hajj and returns you safely to your families after you have completed your Hajj.

You are about to depart towards Makkah and should say:

لبيك اللهم بعمرة متمتعة الى حج

و ان حبسني حابس فمحلي حيث حبستني

And when you reach Makkah you should perform Tawaaf and sa’ee and then shave your head. [The Shaykh being over eighty, jokingly removed his Shimaagh from his head exposing his bald head, saying “like this”] then come out of Ihraam.

On the 8th day you should resume your Ihraam again and say

لبيك اللهم بحج

وان حبسني حابس فمحلي حيث حبستني

The brothers then asked a series of questions which the Shaykh answered.

Q1. I would like to apply to the Islamic university of Madinah, but my family requires my financial assistance. Should I go or stay at home?

Shaykh: If you go, will they struggle financially?

Questioner: Yes

Shaykh: Is there a [Salafee] centre in your locality?

Questioner: Yes

Shaykh: Then study there inshaaAllah, may Allah replace it for you with better.

Q2. When the pilgrim arrives in Makkah, fatigued or exhausted, should the pilgrim in this state, perform umrah immediately or should he rest first in these circumstances?

Shaykh: You should rest first and gain some strength

Q3. Eating camel meat breaks the wudhoo. Does this also apply to camel milk?

Shaykh: No, this does not apply to camel milk.

Q4. If a women is on her period and she was unable to make the Tawaaful Ifaadhah for Hajj but the time to return to her country is upon her [flight] what should she do?

Shaykh: She should wrap something around the area and complete her Hajj, and there’s no problem in that.

Q5. Is it permissible to take contraceptive pills to prevent periods during Hajj?

Shaykh: I do not advise she does this as this has been proven to be harmful to her and she should not do this.

The Shaykh then warmly greeted each brother individually and then advised one brother to change his name to either Abdullah, Abdirahim or Abdurahman. The brother later chose Abdullah.

Abu Idrees then informed the Shaykh that the group has arranged to see Shaykh Abdullah al-Bukhari immediately after. The Shaykh said: “relay my regards and salaams to him”. He then praised the Shaykh for his knowledge.

Imam Hassan al-Basri said: “The world is darkness except for the sittings with the scholars” Jaami’ bayanul ilm wa fadhlihi

Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baaz, on Noor ala dharb said: “Visiting the people of knowledge and Imaan from Ahlu Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah and visiting brothers for the sake of Allah is a [means of] closeness to Allah and [an act of] obedience”

The Salaf would perform Hajj to gain its tremendous rewards and then take the opportunity to visit and benefited from the people of knowledge. Alhamdulilah, we were blessed and privileged to follow in their footsteps to continue this tradition. May Allah have mercy upon our Salaf, preserve our Mashaayikh and accept it from us.