As the peak of the blessed days of Dhul-Hijjah has passed and pilgrims return from the sacred journey of Hajj, many of us have found ourselves watching them from afar—with a longing heart, eyes fixed on the scenes of the Ka’bah, and a deep yearning to be among them. Whether we’ve performed Hajj before or not, the soul stirs when we witness the waves of believers circling the Ka’bah, weeping in dua as they stand on Arafah and stoning the Jamarat.
But not all of us can be there. Whether due to financial constraints, health reasons, or logistical hurdles, Hajj may not be in our reach for now. However, Allah ﷻ, in His mercy, has not left us without hope. Even from the comfort of our homes, we can earn rewards similar to Hajj – and perhaps feel a spiritual connection to those walking the sacred ground.
Here are eight meaningful ways to earn the reward of Hajj without leaving your hometown:
1. Going to the Masjid with Wudhu for Obligatory Prayer
“Whoever leaves his house in the state of Wudhu for a fardh Salah, their reward will be like the reward of one performing Hajj, in the state of Ihram.” (Abu Dawud)
This seemingly simple act – leaving your home in a state of purification to pray at the mosque – carries immense reward. It turns our daily salah into a pilgrimage of its own in the sight of Allah.
In another hadith, the Prophet (saw) highlighted the virtue of praying isha prayer in congregation, specifically. Some of the Companions of the Prophet (saw) asked him (saw), “O Messenger of Allah, the wealthy people will have higher ranks and will have perpetual enjoyment and they pray like us and fast as we do. They give to charities because they have more money.” The Prophet (saw) responded, reminding them, “Has Allah not rendered for you the ‘Isha prayer in congregation equal to Hajj, and the Fajr prayer in congregation equal to ‘Umrah?” (Muslim)
No matter our financial situation, Allah has given us tools to quickly request his mercy.
2. Seeking Knowledge or Teaching in the Mosque
“Whoever sets out to the mosque, only intending to seek knowledge or teach it, he will have the reward of one who performed Hajj, whose Hajj was complete.” (at-Tabarani, Al Hakim)
Attending a class or lecture at your local mosque can feel like a small deed—but it holds the weight of Hajj. Even helping organise or teach in these sessions earns the same reward.
3. Remembering Allah After Fajr Until Sunrise
“Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak’ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and Umrah… in full, in full, in full.” (at-Tirmidhi)
This act is available to everyone. You can do it at your local masjid or even at home. It’s a beautiful start to your day—one that cleanses your heart, resets you for the day, and boosts your connection with Allah.
4. Being Dutiful to Your Parents
When a man told the Prophet ﷺ he longed to perform jihad but couldn’t afford to go for battle, he was asked if his mother was alive. Upon replying yes, the Prophet ﷺ said: “Show Allah how you serve her. If you do so, you will be like the one performing Hajj, Umrah, and striving in Allah’s Way.” (at-Tabarani, Abu Ya’la)
Few deeds are as powerful as honouring our parents. Serving them with love, patience, and consistency can earn you the reward of Hajj multiple times over.
5. Attending Friday Prayers
Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyib (RA) once said: “Attending the Friday prayer is more beloved to me than a voluntary Hajj.”
These communal acts of worship are opportunities, not only for reward, but for unity, brotherhood and revival of faith. Make them a priority, and encourage your family to do the same.
6. Remembering Allah After Each Salah
One simple but powerful habit taught by the Prophet ﷺ is the remembrance of Allah immediately after the five daily prayers. Abu Darda (RA) once shared that some companions felt disheartened because they couldn’t match the deeds of wealthier Muslims—like going for Hajj or contributing more in charity.
The Prophet ﷺ consoled them by saying: “Shall I not tell you something by which you will surpass those who outdo you? Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ 34 times, ‘Alhamdulillah’ 33 times, and ‘SubhanAllah’ 33 times after every obligatory prayer.” (Muslim)
This dhikr doesn’t just embed in us the magnificence of our Lord, how He is the only One worthy of praise and free of all deficiencies – it carries weighty rewards that can rival the greatest acts of worship. So even if you can’t reach Makkah, you can still elevate your status with Allah through these daily moments of remembrance.
7. Helping Your Fellow Muslim
al-Hasan al-Basri said: “Fulfilling the needs of your brother is better for you than performing Hajj after Hajj.”
Whether it’s giving charity, helping someone physically, or even just listening to a friend in distress, these simple acts are elevated in reward when done sincerely for Allah’s sake.
Embrace provides you with the opportunity to help hundreds of Muslim families close to home – right on our doorstep, in fact. Whether it’s destitute refugees barred from working, getting by on a meagre £8 a week, wives and children of prisoners ostracised by the community, or survivors of abuse seeking safety, your sadaqah can make a profound difference to our neighbours in need.
8. Yearning for Hajj with a True and Sincere Intention
In Islam, actions are determined by our intentions. And sincerity is one of the most valuable currencies in the sight of Allah ﷻ. If someone deeply wishes to perform Hajj and actively prepares or plans for it, but is held back due to circumstances beyond their control, they are still rewarded for their pure intention.
“When a person intends to do a good deed but doesn’t end up doing it, Allah still writes one full reward for that deed. And if the person carries it out, the reward is multiplied up to ten times or more.” (Muslim)
This means that if you’ve genuinely hoped and tried to go for Hajj but couldn’t manage it this year – due to finances, health, or any barrier – then rest assured, your intention alone can earn you immense reward, by Allah’s mercy.
Though none of these deeds replace Hajj, they build a strong spiritual connection with the sacred ritual. They align our hearts with the spirit of Hajj: humility, devotion, and submission.
And as we watch pilgrims return, glowing with the light of forgiveness, we too can strive to attain Allah’s pleasure from wherever we are. The Prophet ﷺ reminded us that intention is powerful – so even if we’re not at the Ka’bah physically, our hearts can journey there through our actions.
The reward of a Hajj Mabrur is nothing less than Paradise. And while the journey to Makkah may require wealth and health, the path to Allah’s pleasure is open to everyone. Whether you’re a student, a mother, a worker, or an elder, Allah ﷻ has gifted us beautiful and accessible opportunities to come close to Him.
So, don’t despair if you weren’t able to make the journey this year. Make the most of your time, your intentions, and your worship. Who knows – perhaps from your very home, you can earn the reward of Hajj, in full, in full, in full.
May Allah accept our efforts and grant us all a chance to perform an accepted Hajj one day. Ameen.