The Spirit of Hajj

Avoiding Aggression Once the pilgrim dons the Ihram for Hajj, it becomes prohibited for them to hunt land animals. This prohibition extends to accepting the meat of hunted animals as a gift, plucking the feathers of a bird, assisting in hunting, or even providing a knife to slaughter the hunted animal—all these actions are forbidden for the pilgrim. During Hajj, a pilgrim is permitted to kill a harmful animal, such as a snake, or to slaughter a sacrificial animal, which is part of the Hajj rituals. However, beyond these exceptions, it is forbidden for the pilgrim to kill or harm any animal. While hunting animals is generally permissible in ordinary circumstances, it is not allowed during Hajj. This is essentially about emphasizing and ensuring the implementation of a Shari’ah command. It is an obligation upon a person not to kill another human being nor to harm any living creature. This is a general directive of Shariah, expected of every individual in all situations. However, during Hajj, this command is extended to include even the hunting of animals, thereby sharpening the individual’s awareness of this duty. The intention is that, after returning from Hajj, the pilgrim will be more conscientious in upholding this command and will continue to live among others without being aggressive for the rest of their days. A Disciplined Life The essence of an Islamic life can be summarized in one word: living with self-control. The journey of Hajj has been specifically designed as a training ground for this