The Fruits of Hajj
THERE is no doubt that Hajj has a great sublime effect on Muslims. During Hajj, more than two million Muslims stand in one place and share one aim, call upon One Lord, and follow one Prophet. It connects those millions with all prophets from Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Isma’il (peace be upon them all) until Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Hajj also links people with the Hereafter with the full hope of their sins be forgiven and go back to their homes with clean slate.
Hajj creates a sense of connection with all of the prophets (peace be upon them) from our forefather Ibrahim who built the Ka’bah to our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who respected the sanctity of Makkah. When pilgrims visit the sacred places and perform the rituals, they remember the visits of those noble prophets to this sacred place.
The whiteness of (male) pilgrims’ clothes is a sign of inward purity, cleanness of heart, and the purity of the message. This means that pilgrims should put aside all adornment and should show humility, and their clothes are a reminder of death when the deceased is shrouded in similar clothes. So it is as if pilgrims were preparing to meet Allah.
Assuming ihram at the miqat is a physical expression of worship and enslavement to Allah and of submission to His commands and laws. No pilgrim can pass it without entering ihram because it is a command from Allah and a law that He has prescribed. This confirms the unity of the Ummah.
Hajj is the symbol of tawheed (Oneness of God) and takes on meaning from the first moment the pilgrim enters ihram. Jabir ibn Abd Allah described the Hajj of the Prophet (peace be upon him): Then he started to say the words of tawheed : “Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk …. (Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner). (Muslim)
When all the people come together at Arafat and elsewhere, with no differentiation between them, this is a reminder of the Hereafter. All of them are equal in this place and no one is better than anyone else.
Hajj is a symbol of unity, because Hajj makes all people alike in their deeds, rituals, direction of prayer, and the places they visit, and the men are also the same in their clothing. So none are better than others, be they kings or servants, rich or poor. All are the same.
There is unity of feelings, unity of rituals; unity in purpose, unity in action, unity in words. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said , “O mankind, there is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, or for a non-Arab over an Arab, or for a white over a black, or for a black over a white. All of you are descended from Adam and Adam has been created from dust of the ground.” (Ahmad)
During the Hajj, more than two million Muslims all stand in one place, the men wearing the same type of clothes.
All the pilgrims share one aim, call upon one Lord, and follow one Prophet. What unity can be greater than this?
Hajj trains Muslims to be content with simple clothing and accommodation.
Hajj illustrates the importance of Muslims coming together and establishing harmony.
While we usually see people traveling by themselves, during Hajj we see people coming in groups. It also helps people get to know the situation of the Muslims from around the world.