How beautiful is the discernment of this truth by Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (a.

How beautiful is the discernment of this truth by Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (a.s.) when he addresses the pilgrims by saying: "And move into Allah's security, His shade and protection, His help to you to attain your goal of entering the sanctuary, and entering the House while deeply knowing the greatness of its owner; His Highness and Omnipotence."4 Hajj As Worship Hajj is a bodily and spiritual journey. It is man's migration towards Allah's grace and pleasure.

[ 10 ] It is the abandonment of one's relatives, wealth, and wordily comforts, and enduring a host of difficulties, troubles and hardships for the Creator's sake. "And proclaim among people the pilgrimage; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path." Holy Qur'an (22:27) Hajj is a form of a worship, to which several factors intertwine. Physical and material, spiritual and emotional.

Hajj, therefore, is a physical and material form of worship in which the worshipper gives of himself both physically and materially and endures hardships and troubles in the way of Allah, demonstrating his pure pristine servitude to Allah and his independence from any power other than Him. This pure goal of Hajj is the goal of any worship in Islam that is to be for the sake of Allah alone, regardless of any existing power other than Him. It is the utmost goal of man's worship.

Man's conscience completely awakens and man is rendered, purified and cleansed of all evil and vice, provided sincerity of intention is involved. For this aim, Hajj is ordained and the Holy Our'an regards it as Allah's right over His servants: "…it is the duly of mankind towards Allah to make the pilgrimage to the House, whoever can afford the way there;..." Holy Qur'an (3:97) Hajj is a main pillar of religion, and a mainstay of faith.

Traditions and texts reported from the Prophet (s.a.w.) and his pure progeny (a.s.), refer to the significance of Hajj. It is reported that (s.a.w.) said: "Prayer was not ordained, Hajj and Tawaf were not made incumbent on the faithful, and rites were not conveyed to man, but to remember Allah." And he (s.a.w.) also said: "The people who perform the Hajj and Ummrah are the guests of Allah.