Kaduna State Pilgrims have been advised to intensify their prayers in order to reap the immense benefits of worshipping in Makkah, even though Hajj officially ended on Saturday, May 30th.

A member of the Special Hajj Committee, Sheikh Haliru Maraya, gave this advice after “Zuhur” (afternoon prayer) at the Ibrahim Khalil street residence of the pilgrims on Saturday.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa on Sunday, recalled that about 1.7 million pilgrims from around the world performed the 2026 Hajj.

The statement noted that Hajj begins on the 8th and concludes on the 13th day of Dhul Hijjah in the Islamic calendar, which fell between 25th to 30th May in the Gregorian calendar this year.

Speaking to the congregation after afternoon prayer, Sheikh Maraya said that any act of worship in Makkah attracts more rewards than that which is performed elsewhere.

According to Sheikh Maraya who is the Chairman of the 2026 Hajj Preaching Committee, acts of worship in the city where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was born is rewarded 100,000 times by Allah (SWT).

The Islamic cleric who warned the pilgrims to desist from sinful acts, disclosed that the mere contemplation of such acts are recorded as if the sins have been committed.

He advised the pilgrims to resist the temptation of wanting to return home in a hurry, adding that such thoughts are usually the handiwork of the devil or ‘shaytan”.

The Chairman of the Preaching Committee reminded the pilgrims to engage in voluntary prayers, read the Qur’an and offer various supplications in order to benefit from their stay in Makkah after the Hajj.

Sheikh Maraya also asked the pilgrims to pray for Nigeria and its leaders as well as the end of security challenges bedeviling Nigeria.

He commended Governor Uba Sani for providing the logistics and empowering Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, that enabled a hitch-free 2026 Hajj exercise.