The Spirit of Hajj

of Hajj lies in its spirit, not merely in its external form. In other words, Hajj is not just about physically visiting the holy sites and returning; it is about attaining the spiritual states for which this duty has been ordained. The superiority of Hajj as an act of worship means that for the one who performs it with its true spirit and proper etiquette, Hajj will become the greatest act of worship in their life. The Supreme Act of Worship When a person undertakes the journey and reaches the sacred sites of Hajj, they are enveloped in unique divine experiences. It feels as though they have left “their world” and entered the “world of God.” They feel as if they are touching their Lord, circling Him, running towards Him, journeying for His sake, offering sacrifices in His presence, casting stones at His enemies, asking Him for whatever they desire, and receiving from Him whatever they should receive. The Ka‘bah is one of the signs of God on earth. It is where lost human souls are embraced by God, where parched hearts are made to flow with the waters of servitude, and where blind eyes are shown the divine light. However, all of this is for the one who comes with the capacity to receive it. For those who lack this capacity, Hajj is merely a form of sightseeing. They go there only to return as they were before. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Hajj is Arafah” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 55), emphasizing the