TIMES SURABAYA, MADINAH – Did you know that the reward for praying in Masjid al-Haram for everyone especially for senior pilgrims is equivalent to 100,000 times that of a regular mosque? Moreover, out of the 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide, only a few are fortunate enough to prostrate directly in front of the Kaaba.

The virtue of praying in Masjid al-Haram is mentioned in hadiths stating that the reward for praying in Masjid al-Haram is a hundred thousand times greater than praying in any other mosque.

According to Ibn az-Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him), he said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Praying in my mosque (Masjid Nabawi) is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere except for Masjid al-Haram. And praying in Masjid al-Haram is better than a hundred prayers in my mosque," Narrated by Ahmad and authenticated by Ibn Hibban.

This hadith is a strong reason for Muslims to eagerly anticipate the opportunity to prostrate in Masjid al-Haram, day and night, even in helpless conditions.

The Essence of Praying in Al-Haram for Senior Pilgrim with Health Issues

But what about elderly hajj pilgrims who have limitations, illnesses, and high risks or pilgrims who are far from Masjid al-Haram, so their prayers are performed in hotels or the nearest mosques where they stay? Is the reward the same as praying in Masjid al-Haram?

According to Imam Jalaluddin as-Suyuti, Masjid al-Haram refers to the entire Haram area. Therefore, according to Imam Jalaluddin as-Suyuti, the multiplied reward in the Haram area of Mecca is not only limited to Masjid al-Haram but encompasses the entire Haram area.

He stated, "Multiplication of rewards in the Haram area of Mecca is not limited to Masjid al-Haram but includes the entire Haram area." (Jalaluddin as-Suyuti, al-Asybah wa an-Nazha'ir, Beirut: Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1403 H, p. 523)

The view of Imam Jalaluddin as-Suyuti is in line with the majority of scholars. This can be understood from the information found in the book al-Mawsu'ah al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaitiyyah.

"According to the Hanafi school, which is the well-known opinion, and the Maliki and Shafi'i schools, the multiplication of rewards includes the entire Haram area of Mecca," Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, al-Mawsu'ah al-Fiqhiyyah stated.

For this, the senior pilgrims better be pray from their hotel room and maintain their physical well-being so they could do the must conducted hajj routine well an complete. (*)