"And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel. They will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj), that they may witness things that are of benefit to them, and mention the Name of ALLAH on the appointed days over the beast of cattle that HE has provided for them (for sacrifice). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time." (Al-Hajj: 27-28)

It is Hajj season again and we want to wish our brothers and sisters who have been blessed with the opportunity to perform Hajj a perfect Hajj that is accepted by ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, and is rewarded with Jannah. Hajj Mabroor wa Sa'ie Mashkur.

We would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone Eid Mubarak. May this Eid bring peace and prosperity to the world. Ameen.

The following Ahadith from Sahih Al-Bukhari, shed some light on a few of the aspects associated with the month of Thul Hijjah and Hajj:

The Prophet, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, said: "Whoever performs Hajj, only for the sake of ALLAH and does not have sexual relations with his wife (during Hajj), and does not do evil or commit sins, then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew." (The reward for Hajj is a new start with a clean slate.)

Ibn 'Abbas, radiya ALLAHu anhu, narrated that the Prophet, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, fixed Thul Hulaifa as the Miqat for the people of Madina, Al Juhfa for the people of Shaam (Syria), Qarnul-Manazil for the people of Najd, and Yalam-lam for the people of Yemen; and these Mawaqit are for those living at those very places, and for all those who come through them with the intention of performing Hajj or 'Umra; and whoever is living within these Mawaqit should assume Ihram (consecration) from where he starts, and the people of Makkah can assume Ihram (for Hajj only) from Makkah. (This sets the location where the state of Ihram begins for all pilgrims performing Hajj or Umra.)

Abdullah bin Umar, radiya ALLAHu anhu, narrated that the Talbiya of ALLAH's Messenger, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, was: Labbaik ALLAHuma labbaik, labbaik la sharika laka labbaik, in-nal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka, wal-mulka la sharika laka. (This means, I respond to Your Call, O ALLAH, I respond to Your Call and I am obedient to Your Orders, You have no partner, I respond to Your Call, All the praises, thanks and blessings are for You, All the sovereignty is for You, And You have no partners with you.)

Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri, radiya ALLAHu anhu, narrated that the Prophet, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, said: "The people will continue performing the Hajj and 'Umra to the Kaba even after the coming out of Ya-juj and Ma-juj (Gog and Magog)." (This is a message that Hajj will be performed until the end of life on Earth. What a call our beloved Prophet, Ibrahim, alaihis salaam, made; the call which is heard around the globe and until the end of life on Earth!)

Umm Al-Fadl, radiya ALLAHu anha, narrated that the people doubted whether the Prophet, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, was observing the Saum (fast) on the day of 'Arafat, so I sent something for him to drink and he drank it. (This shows one should not fast on the day of 'Arafa if they are performing Hajj. However, if one is not performing Hajj, they are encouraged to fast, as indicated in another Hadith.)

Ibn 'Abbas, radiya ALLAHu anhu, narrated that the Prophet, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, said: "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Thu Hijjah)." Then some companions of the Prophet, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, asked, 'Not even Jihad?' He replied, "Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for ALLAH's sake, i.e. with his life and property) and does not return with any of those things (i.e., is martyred)." (This shows the blessings placed in these days of Hajj. Let us make every effort to take advantage of the blessings.)

Iodine is found in seafood, kelp and dairy products. However, the primary source of iodine for most Americans is iodized salt.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of iodine is 150 micrograms (mcg) for males over 11, 175 mcg for pregnant females and 200 mcg for lactating women. For children the RDA is 70 mcg below 3 years, 90 mcg below 6 years and 120 mcg below 11 years.

Iodine deficiency can cause goiter, cretinism and hypothyroidism.

Too much iodine intake can reduce thyroid gland function.

Chromium is an essential mineral that is important for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. It also activates several enzymes.

Chromium is found in yeast, beef, liver, eggs, chicken, oysters, wheat germ, bananas, apples, spinach and butter.

There is no Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of chromium, but the safe intake level is up to 0.2 milligrams (mg) for men and women over 6 years old, 0.04 for infants up to 6 months, 0.06 for babies up to 1 year old, 0.08 for children up to 3 years old, and 0.12 for children up to 6 years old.

Chromium deficiency may impair glucose tolerance.

This information was extracted from information on Medlineplus.