Is this a cultural thing? Why is it an obligation?
Wut if we miss anyone OR wut if the person doesnt forgive you?
For some reason it just cant make any sense to me. People who dont contact you for years call right before haj and go thru this formality. 
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
Excellent questions.
I often wonder the same thing around hajj season.
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
I don't know of it being an obligation, but if I were to guess why they do (or should do) it would be so that they could tie any loose ends in regards to anyone they may have wronged seeing that they might not return from Hajj. Another possibility is that they want to clear up their accountability to others and go for Hajj as pure as possible.
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
I don't know of it being an obligation, but if I were to guess why they do (or should do) it would be so that they could tie any loose ends in regards to anyone they may have wronged seeing that they might not return from Hajj. Another possibility is that they want to clear up their accountability to others and go for Hajj as pure as possible.
I've heard the same. Plus I've also heard/read that hajj is a purification process that may allow a person to emerge in a state of being "reborn" so while sins against Allah may be forgiven by Him, sins against mankind are required to be forgiven by that person alone hence the need to ask forgiveness from them.
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
Well if I call you, and you forgive me. Its worth calling.
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
I don't know of it being an obligation, but if I were to guess why they do (or should do) it would be so that they could tie any loose ends in regards to anyone they may have wronged seeing that they might not return from Hajj. Another possibility is that they want to clear up their accountability to others and go for Hajj as pure as possible.
Yes I hear ya and there is nothing wrong in that but I always think a better way to do it is to keep taking care of people around you, be connected with them more often than the last min call before haj. Especially how about not hurting anyone at all so you dont have to seek forgiveness may be?
Ofcourse easier said then done and I know I'll be lying if i say I'm not guilty as charged but still we can try to develop a better theme.
And then the question still lingers about wut if the other person doesnt forgive?
And will you be back to same old behaviour after haj as it was before or it'll be a different one?
Somehow its still confusing me.
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
Allah can forgive sins related to His rights... Allah can not forgive the rights of other people therefore before going to Hajj ask forgiveness to people.
Hajj can not delete those sins which you did with Makhlooq, only Makhlooq can forgive for those unjustice you did with them.
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
.....and how do you know if a person has really forgiven you if you don't stay in touch with them otherwise?
what if it's lip-service?
(yeah...I know that reflects on that person but still......you're not clean are you?)
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
^ I don't know the answer of second question.
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
You ask for forgiveness and try to make ammends. Leave the rest to Allah.
The Prophet (peace be upon us) said:
There was a merchant who used to extend credit to people. If he found one of his customers to be in straightened means, he would say to his assistants: “Forgive them their debt, perhaps Allah will forgive us.” Allah did forgive him. [Sahīh al-Bukhārī (2078) and Sahīh Muslim (1562)]
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
I want to do the asking for forgiveness before hajj but I'm unable to. Feels weird saying it :(
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
It’ll feel far more wierd to me too. First of all if i do it i’it’ll be such a long list of ppl to be asked forgiveness from 
And i’m sure most of them would kick my butt saying no 
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do you know who is the bankrupt?" They said: "The bankrupt among us is one who has neither money with him nor any property". He said, "The real bankrupt of my Ummah would be he who would come on the Day of Resurrection with Salat, Saum and Sadaqah (charity), (but he will find himself bankrupt on that day as he will have exhausted the good deeds) because he reviled others, brought calumny against others, unlawfully devoured the wealth of others, shed the blood of others and beat others; so his good deeds would be credited to the account of those (who suffered at his hand). If his good deeds fall short to clear the account, their sins would be entered in his account and he would be thrown in the (Hell) Fire".
[Muslim].
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ":أتدرون من المفلس؟" قالوا : المفلس فينا من لا درهم له ولا متاع فقال: "إن المفلس من أمتي يأتي يوم القيامة بصلاة وصيام وزكاة، ويأتي قد شتم هذا، وقذف هذا وأكل مال هذا، وسفك دم هذا، وضرب هذا، فيعطى هذا من حسناته، وهذا من حسناته، فإن فنيت حسناته قبل أن يقضي ما عليه، أخذ من خطاياهم فطرحت عليه، ثم طرح في النار" ((رواه مسلم)).
Arabic/English book reference : Book 1, Hadith 218
This hadith comes in mind.
i guess asking forgiveness sincerely can clear your record...dont worry whether they forgive you or not at least Allah knows you you feel guilt of doing wrong..but we personally should forgive people on a daily bases..because if somebody dont get a chance to apologise at least we should no matter how it is hard for you just forgive for the sake of Allah ..may be becuase of this act you will be forgiven on the day of judgment ameen..
May Allah subhan wa ta'alla forgive us and all momineen and mominaat and forgive those who ve hurt us intentionally or unintentionally Ameen
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
ameen.
Re: Asking forgiveness before performing haj
As always, awesome post Tahurra :k:
Aameen.