As a result...

As a result, this ethical transformation tends to be deeper and more profound such that in every corner of Masjidul Haram and the city of Mecca, man visualizes the faces of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w), ‘Ali (a.s) and the other holy Imams, and hears the enthusiastic slogans of their mission.

Indeed, all these together pave the way for an ethical revolution within hearts that are receptive and in a manner that is indescribable and causes man to turn over a new leaf and opens up a new chapter in his life. It is not without reason that we read in our traditions that one, who performs Hajj, completely and perfectly.

يَخْرُجُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِهِ كَهَيْئَتِهِ يَوْمَ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ‏ “Becomes free of sins just as he was on the day when his mother gave him birth.” (2) Truly, Hajj is a second birth for Muslims – a birth which is the beginning of a new human life.

It is needless to mention that these effects and benefits, and those that we shall mention later, are neither for those who only content themselves with its exterior leaving aside its core, nor for those, who only view it as a means for recreation, tourism, pretension, dissemblance and acquiring personal material items – never acquainting themselves with its spirit and essence. Their share would only be that which they had set out to achieve!

The Political Dimension As has been stated by one of the renowned Islamic jurisprudents, the Hajj rituals, apart from putting on display the sincerest and profound acts of worship, are also the most effective means for advancing the political objectives of Islam. The essence of worship is attention towards Allah, while the essence of politics is attention towards the ‘creation of Allah’ – and these two aspects are observed to be as closely intertwined in Hajj as the yarns in a fabric!

Hajj is an effective factor in establishing unity amongst the ranks of the Muslims. Hajj is an instrument to combat nationalistic and racial fanaticism, and oppose confinement (of the Muslims) within their geographical boundaries. Hajj is a means for eliminating the shackles of censorship and breaking the stranglehold of the oppressive leaderships prevalent in the Islamic nations.

Hajj is a tool for transferring news of political affairs of the Islamic nations from one corner of the globe to another, and finally, it is an effective means for breaking the fetters of captivity and colonialism, and liberating the Muslims.

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