Question
People who perform the Ishraaq salah will give nsomeone the reward of Haj, and/or Umrah. A certain brother gloats, and puts people down that he can earn the same reward even though he doesn’t make the journey, and has completed one fardh Haj.
Does this mean this individual is on the same level as someone who makes the long journey, spend so much money, and toils for 5 days to complete his/her Haj?
Please put my mind at rest as I feel my Haj is undervalued.
Answer
There are two categories of rewards. The first category refer to those rewards that a person will acquire by carrying out a particular action in full. For example, a person who recites the Quraan Sharif from cover to cover will acquire the reward of reciting the entire Quraan Sharif.
The second category are those rewards that are bestowed as a gift or as a bonus from the side of Allah Ta’aala. For example, a person who recites Surah Ikhlaas thrice attains the reward of reciting the entire Quraan Sharif. This is as a bonus gift from Allah Ta’aala, as the person hasn’t recited the Quraan Sharif but receives the reward of reciting the entire Quraan Sharif. This in no way means that mere recitation Surah Ikhlaas thrice is superior to reciting the entire Quraan, as the reward of reciting the entire Quraan from cover to cover will be far greater.
Now after understanding this discussion, apply the very same ruling to Ishraaq Salaah. The reward of an accepted Haj and Umrah for performing Ishraaq mentioned in the Hadith is actually a bonus gift from Allah Ta’aala, but this no way means that it is superior to performing Haj as the reward of performing Haj physically, and spending one’s money and time, etc. is far superior and greater.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
Baaqiyyaat Fataawa Rasheediyya pg. 515