Hajj is a manifestation of Islam’s social life
In hajj – from start to finish, hajj obligations involve humility and supplication. As well as this completely spiritual element, there is a social element which is unity, fraternity and unanimity. The poor and the rich and various ethnicities, nations and races carry out the same obligation alongside each other and with the same motive and goal. Where else can we find such a phenomenon? Such a phenomenon does not exist in other Islamic obligations and in other religions.
In hajj, there is the element of movement and worship, one that is accompanied by dynamism, tawaf, endeavor and coming and going. At the same time, hajj is a display of gathering together. The astonishing gatherings that exist in Arafat, Mash’ar al-Haraam or during the days of Mina, are another manifestation of the social life of Islam. All these exist in hajj.
Hajj is a display of morality: “Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in hajj.” [The Holy Quran, 2: 197] Hajj is a place for brotherhood, morality and forgiveness. It is not a place for wrangling and arguing with others. As you see, all these astonishing, constructive and instructive elements exist in hajj. The hajj obligation is such an obligation.