There was this very very very RICH man....500 years ago, who went to perform HAJJ with every pomp and show---having best of facilities and almost an army of servants etc.
When he returned from HAJJ, being somewhat a very self centered man, he had this strange thought in mind to somehow get a confirmation from God whether his HAJJ has been accepted or not..and if not..then who's? that he must know--and meet.
For three months--every night---before going in slumber--he would earnestly pray to Allah to let him know in someway--as to who is that person in his country or hamlet or village or state---who's HAJJ has been accepted (Qubooliyat)...and after two months he dreamt of an aged female sitting in the backyard of her desolate home....busy with her spindle spinning gadget.
The rich man counseled with his best friends who advised him to announce a heavy cash award for anyone who would find that woman--who's description was announced publicly after each namaz at various mosques.
In a months time....a claimant came to rich man and told him that he has found that woman...and the rich man rushed to see that woman..with his friends.
He reached the house---saw that woman calmly sitting and busy with her spindle....and the rich man asked her "Did you perform the hajj this year?" and the old woman said "No!" which really dissapointed the rich man who yelled at the claimant "How can you be so foolish? how can this old woman perform hajj that she is so poor and less fortunate?" and just as he was to leave....the old woman asked for his attention and stated that for 10 consecutive years she saved clams through her nose that she wanted to perform HAJJ and she was to do it that year till she heard some weeping of a new born from her wall to wall neighborhood--and upon query it revealed that the woman next door has not eaten anything past four days..except wheat soaked in water which has led to the restriction of feeding her new born for a day or more that the new born was almost at the verge of dying due to hunger and continuous weeping. Having seen all this--the old woman decided to spend all her saving for the destitute family by buying them food, milk etc and deciding not to proceed to Hajj as she thought that Allah wanted her to do HAJJ while at home...!!
The rich man--in tears---embraced the old woman and told her that Allah has accepted her HAJJ which she has performed at her home and told her to accompany his karavan for hajj next year.
This is a fact not myth!
Be it REEMA or anyone...it is only and only due to the will of ALLAH.. that a person would enter the holy land to perform HAJJ. Taxation stress, our money, their money...discussion on HAJJ would compell one for a SIN !
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Back in 1975, TV-Karachi produced a long play titled "HAJJ-e-AKBAR" based on the above history--but with certain modification. Zaheen Tahira played the old woman and Zahid Hussain...a young student .. aless fortunate one...who is about to loose his final exam papers due to short of money for fees and charges--which are eventually---given by Zaheen who decides not to go to hajj and help the young student.
This one i have never heard but it really made me cry. . .