The Significance of Hajj

continued to approach him, repeatedly inquiring about matters related to a change in the order of performing rituals. The Prophet would repeatedly assure each person, saying, “There is no harm, there is no harm” (La haraja, la haraja). (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 1857) The narration from Abu Dawood (No. 2015) includes the following statement: “Do as you have done, there is no harm. Harm is for the person who humiliates a Muslim. Such a person is an oppressor. This is the person who did wrong and perished.” In religion, the real importance lies in the spirit, not in the outward form. It is possible for someone to meticulously observe external practices while disregarding the spiritual aspect, which renders their efforts worthless. God always observes the intentions of individuals. If the intention is good any shortcomings or variances in external practices are forgiven. However, if someone’s intention is not good, their actions hold no value in the sight of God, regardless of how meticulously they attend to external matters. Meticulously observing the form may seem attractive, but it has no value in God’s sight.