Hajj is a comprehensive act of worship. It is a form that encompasses all the aspects desired by every individual in Islam.
There are two verses in the Quran regarding Hajj. Their translation is as follows:
“Call mankind to the Pilgrimage. They will come to you, on foot, and on every kind of lean camel, by every distant track so that they may witness its benefit for them and, on the appointed days may utter the name of God over the cattle He has provided for them. Then eat their flesh, and feed the distressed and the needy” (22:27-28).
Here, the benefits mentioned refer to spiritual gain. During the occasion of Hajj, the means to attain these spiritual benefits are referred to as the “Symbols of God.” (The Quran, 2:158) These symbols are the historical commemorations of the mission of monotheism that was established in this land through the prophets. The rituals performed during Hajj serve as reminders of that prophetic history.
The meaning of Ihram is that a person transitions from a materialistic culture to a divine culture. By performing Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, the pilgrims reaffirm their commitment to dedicate themselves, just like the people of Prophet Ishmael, to the religion of monotheism. When they throw pebbles at the Jamarat, they symbolically declare, though in symbolic language, that they will repel Satan, following the example of Prophet Abraham. By offering sacrifices, the pilgrims pledge to abandon materialism and embrace a life devoted to God.
Gathered in the field of Arafat, all pilgrims reflect upon the time when they will be held accountable on the day of Resurrection. Ultimately, the pilgrim returns with the (urgent) message of the Prophet of Islam, which he gave 1400 years ago:
“Verily, God the Almighty has sent me as a mercy to all people, so convey this message to all the people on my behalf” (Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabeer by Tabarani, 20/8).
This means that God has sent me as a mercy for all people, and it is the duty of the pilgrims to convey my message to all human beings. The lesson in this is that O Muslims, you should actively engage in the propagation of the religion of God all over the world. Your running, standing, speech, and silence—everything should be dedicated to this mission.
Hajj is considered the supreme form of worship. This statement is not shrouded in mystery but is a well-established reality. Upon contemplation of the rituals performed during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, it becomes evident that due to its numerous benefits, Hajj is rightfully hailed as the greatest form of worship. During Hajj, Muslims from all corners of the world undertake a journey to the sacred land of Kabah, transcending geographical boundaries. This pilgrimage is not merely a movement of inanimate stones, but a journey undertaken by living beings, individuals endowed with the faculties of sight, hearing, and comprehension. Thus, when these diverse individuals embark on the pilgrimage from different parts of the world to the Hijaz region during the Hajj season, it naturally culminates in a global assembly. From this perspective, it can be asserted that Hajj represents a mobilization of worshippers on a global scale.
When more than two million believers embark on their journey of Hajj from their homes, they engage in repeated interactions with others. It is during these interactions that the process of introducing Islam to people from different countries begins. The pilgrims encounter new experiences during this journey, which expands their horizons. They go through different stages during this journey. Thus, for them, the Hajj pilgrimage becomes synonymous with religious tourism. Along this journey, there may be differences and conflicts that arise among fellow pilgrims. However, as per the Quranic verse, the pilgrim “must abstain from indecent speech, from all wicked conduct, and from quarrelling while on the pilgrimage.” (2:197) The pilgrim adopts the way of tolerance on such occasions. In this way, Hajj serves as a training ground for unity despite differences.
The truth is that Hajj is a comprehensive act of worship. It is a form of training that encompasses all the aspects desired from every individual in Islam. However, the benefits of Hajj are only obtained by those who perform it with a conscious awareness of its spirit.
