فَوالّذي شَرَعَ المَناسِكَ لِلنّاسِكِ وَأرْشَدَ السّالِكَ في اللَّيلِ الحَالِكِ...

O groups of pilgrims who come from everywhere! Are you mindful of what you will face and to whom you will turn? Do you understand whose guest you will be and what acts you will do? Do you think Hajj is to choose means of transportation, traverse roads, and prepare for journeys? Do you think the Hajj rites mean only to take off your clothes, get slim, be separate from your children and wife, and be away from home? No, by God, it is not.

Rather Hajj means to avoid wrongdoings before taking the riding animal and pure intention of pilgrimage for mere obedience to God, rectify one’s affairs with people before preparing for journey. By One Who decided the Hajj rites for people and Who guided wayfarers in murky nights, ritual washing of body with a few pails of water does not acquit you from purifying your soul. Making your body bare of garment and shoes does not necessarily prepare you for getting into the state of Ihram.

What is the benefit of putting on Ihram for one who is engaged in illegal business? What benefit can he get with Taqsir when he violates people’s rights? Except the knowledgeable, none may become prosperous in Arafat? What does he have to do with Kheif Mosque when he desires for wronging others? He cannot attend the standing-place of Ibrahim unless he is firm in belief. He who is deviated from the right path will not benefit by Hajj.