Khamenei.ir

The blessings of the Hajj

Knowledge: The first benefit of the hajj

The blessings of the hajj affect all aspects of human life. These generous blessings benefit and revitalize the hearts and minds as well as the politics, social life, and national power of Muslim countries. The hajj increases cooperation among Muslim nations. However, I would say knowledge that results from the hajj is the key to all these benefits. Knowledge is the first benefit of the hajj and is bestowed on the people who are willing to open their eyes to the realities of life. This unique knowledge is not normally accessible to Muslims unless they attend the hajj. No other religious ceremony can provide the Islamic Ummah with all the knowledge that is achieved during the hajj.

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The hajj representing the Islamic Ummah

Every year the arrival of the time for the hajj is accompanied by enthusiasm of devout hearts and minds throughout the world of Islam. These enthusiastic hearts and minds wait impatiently for the time for the hajj to devoutly prostrate themselves before the House of God, worship Allah the Exalted, see their estranged brothers from different corners of the world, enjoy the peace of divine mercy and forgiveness, and see the embodiment of the glory of the Muslim world.

The hajj represents the Islamic Ummah and promotes the kind of behavior that this great Ummah should exhibit in order to achieve prosperity. The purposeful and informed movement of different people in a certain direction is the essence of the hajj. Remembrance of Allah the Exalted and unanimity among God's servants are the core of this movement, and establishing a strong spiritual base for a prosperous life for humanity is the purpose of this movement. "God has made the Ka‘bah, the Sacred House, a means of support for the people, and the sacred month and the offerings and the garlands." [The Holy Quran, 5: 97]

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The prominent features of the hajj

Although the secrets behind the hajj are too many to be enumerated, every insightful eye can uncover a prominent feature in one glance. First of all, the hajj is the only religious obligation for the fulfillment of which Allah the Exalted has called all financially capable Muslims from across the world to come together in one place "on appointed days" [the Holy Quran, 22: 28]. "Then hasten on from where the people hasten on, and ask the forgiveness of God. Surely God is Forgiving, Merciful." [The Holy Quran, 2: 199]

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National and international solidarity

When a group of people from the same country go on a journey having the same goal and then return together, their solidarity will definitely increase and their spirituality and national ethics will improve. In addition, the hajj is an international event. There are some differences that separate nations in spite of their similarities. Occasionally, these differences may even lead to hostile attitudes. The hajj makes these differences insignificant and highlights the similarities that unite different nations. Therefore, there is no other religious obligation that is as broad in scope as the hajj.

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Resolving the problems of Muslim communities

We are thankful to Allah the Exalted who did His servants a favor and called them to gather around His House. We are thankful to Allah the Exalted who assigned His great Prophet (s.w.a.) to call the humanity to prayers, made His House safe, purified the Ka'bah of the idolatry of the Ignorance Era, and made it the center of the Islamic Ummah's impressive congregation. We are grateful to God who made the hajj a source of unity and harmony for the Islamic Ummah, making Muslim communities potentially immune to problems that result from being estranged from their roots – such as susceptibility to the enemies' machinations, disregarding God, being suspicious of one's Muslim brothers and listening to the enemies’ slanders about them, not recognizing an entity called the Islamic Ummah, lack of concern for the fate of the Islamic Ummah, being unaware of the events happening in other Muslim countries, lack of vigilance against the enemies' plots, and many other deadly maladies that have threatened Muslims because of the domination of infidels over the fate and political life of Muslims. In recent centuries, these maladies have reached a critical and destructive point due to the presence of colonial powers and their corrupt and materialistic puppets in the region.

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Significant presence

The presence of Muslims in the hajj ceremonies has to be something significant. Otherwise, if the hajj ceremonies were performed only for spiritual reasons and remembrance of God, it would be possible to do these things at home. Muslims have been ordered to convene in one place for the benefits they are supposed to reap on the hajj pilgrimage. If appropriately performed, the hajj pilgrimage can internally transform each and every Muslim and give rise to the spirit of monotheism, developing a relationship with God, and trust in Him. It can also help create a powerful, efficient, and monolithic body by uniting the isolated members of the Islamic Ummah. The hajj pilgrimage can further familiarize Muslims with one another. It can make Muslims aware of the problems, wishes, advances, and needs of one another. Muslims can share their experience with one another during the hajj. I would say if this Islamic obligation is utilized in an appropriate way, it can help the Islamic Ummah achieve the glory and power that it deserves in the not so distant future.

The essence of the hajj consists of two main elements: Getting close to God in thought and action, and avoiding taghut [authority not sanctioned by God] and Satan both physically and spiritually. All the rituals of the hajj are performed to achieve these two goals or to fulfill the requirements thereof. And these two are in fact an outline of Islam and all divine orders.

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The spiritual aspects of the hajj

The hajj rituals

Those who use the hajj and the hajj rituals as a tool to settle their insignificant worldly affairs are truly unaware. The hajj has to be performed carefully and appropriately. In addition to the rituals that comprise the body of the hajj, there are other things that form the soul of the hajj. Some people superficially perform the hajj rituals without paying attention to the soul and essence of the hajj. Humility, dhikr, and attention constitute the soul of the hajj. The feeling that one is present before God and seeking protection in God are the soul of the hajj. One should get to know this paradise and enter it. That is how we should think of the hajj. The soul of the hajj is peace and leniency. Violence against faithful people, fighting with one's Muslim brothers, and ignoring divine rules are prohibited during the hajj. Indulging in and benefiting from the essence of the hajj constitute the soul of the hajj. Brotherhood, unity, and love are the soul of the hajj. The opportunity to create unity among different Muslim nations and groups can only be provided by the hajj. A huge number of people go on the hajj pilgrimage from different parts of the world, filled with the enthusiasm to see the Ka'bah and the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) shrine, to engage in dhikr, and to go around the Ka'bah. Pilgrims should appreciate this opportunity for brotherhood.

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A spiritual experience

The hajj provides individual pilgrims with the opportunity to enter the endless world of spirituality. It provides pilgrims with the opportunity to drag themselves out of their worldly life – with all its imperfections and impurities – and enter the world of sincerity, spirituality, closeness to God, and voluntary asceticism. Since the very beginning when pilgrims enter this ceremony, they deprive themselves of the things that are halal in ordinary life. Ihram is to consider as haraam the things that are ordinarily halal and commonplace. Many of these lawful things in ordinary life are a source of unawareness, and some of them are a source of degeneration.

Being purged of material impurities and feeling the presence of God in all places and at all times – even for a few days – provide a great opportunity for man. All the rituals of the hajj have been designed to let pilgrims go through this spiritual experience and feel this pleasure at the depths of their souls.

Dhikr is the spirituality of the hajj and has been built into each and every one of the hajj rituals. This spiritual spring and this achievement should be preserved even after the hajj.

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Liberation from the means of ostentation

All the material means of showing off are taken away from us during the hajj. Our clothes are the first to be taken away. Our social position and our clothes – which show our social position – are pushed aside, and everybody is required to wear identical clothes. Pilgrims are advised not to look at themselves in a mirror because looking in a mirror is a sign of selfishness and narcissism. They are advised against using perfume because perfume is a means for showing off. They are advised not to take shelter from sunshine and rain – while they are walking – because it is a manifestation of seeking comfort. The same is true of the other rituals of Ihram such as depriving oneself of the sources of comfort and sexual excitement. The means of showing off and discrimination are all prohibited during the hajj.

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The hajj: An opportunity for self-education

Self-education is the first step to be taken by pilgrims during the hajj. All the hajj rituals are the manifestation of humility before Allah the Exalted. These significant rituals should not be performed perfunctorily. Pilgrims should assume that they are being watched by Allah the Exalted throughout the hajj rituals. Each pilgrim should feel that he or she is alone with God and pray to Him. Pilgrims should be emotionally tied to Allah the Exalted and purge their hearts of greed, jealousy, spite, and lust. They should thank God for His guidance and blessings. They should prepare their hearts for selfless efforts for the sake of God. They should increase their heartfelt kindness towards believers and their spite for the stubborn enemies of justice. They should be firmly determined to improve themselves and the world they live in. They should promise God to make efforts for the prosperity of this world and the hereafter.

The hajj is a great opportunity to present these realities – the knowledge of which has been bestowed on the Iranian nation thanks to Islamic knowledge and guidance – to the people of the world. The hajj is a great opportunity to awaken the people of the world. Many people in the world of Islam are alert. In order to get enough courage to promote their ideology, they should feel that their thoughts are supported throughout the world of Islam. All these things are the result of the spiritual qualities of the hajj. Pilgrims should not ignore the spiritual qualities of the hajj and benefiting from the lofty meanings of prayers and Quranic verses.

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The hajj, a remedy for unawareness

The hajj is an exceptional opportunity. All kinds of worship provide human beings with the opportunity to go back to their old self. Because of ignoring Allah the Exalted, who is the essence of the universe, human beings drift away from themselves, their feelings, and their essence. "Those who forget Allah, so He makes them forget their own souls." [The Holy Quran, 59: 19] This is the great malady of humanity today. Human beings have forgotten themselves because they have forgotten God. Human needs, human essence, and the purpose behind the creation of man have been totally forgotten due to material concerns. Dua, praying, and supplication are the factors that can make human beings aware of themselves, their essence, and their needs. In this respect, the hajj is the best kind of worship because it is exceptional in terms of its timing, place, and rituals. Therefore, Mecca and the hajj rituals provide man with a sense of security. Pilgrims feel secure when they engage in supplication and remembrance of God during that impressive ceremony. Security is the most important human need. Materialistic powers and materialistic motives have created hell in this world. Through the hajj, human beings can experience the peace of heaven.

The hajj is a kind of worship, dhikr, dua, and asking for forgiveness – a kind of worship with the purpose of improving the situation of the Islamic Ummah, liberating it from the shackles of slavery and tyranny by rich and powerful people, and infusing it with dignity and glory. The hajj is considered as one of the foundations of religion. And the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) described the hajj in Nahjul Balaghah as the flag of Islam, the jihad of the powerless, a remedy for poverty, and a source of friendship among faithful people.

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The Abrahamic hajj

During the Abrahamic hajj, Muslims move together around the Ka'bah, which is the monument of monotheism and hatred of polytheism and idolatry.

During the Abrahamic hajj, being aware of its meaning, pilgrims go around the Ka'bah and benefit from the soul of the hajj rituals. The Abrahamic hajj is the same as Prophet Mohammad's (s.w.a.) hajj, in which moving towards unity and monotheism constitutes the soul of all the rituals. The Abrahamic hajj is a source of blessings and guidance. It is the main foundation of the life and uprising of a unified Islamic Ummah. It is full of blessings and dhikr. During the Abrahamic hajj, Muslim nations feel they are present in the Prophet Mohammad's (s.w.a.) large Ummah, and they get rid of feelings of weakness and lack of confidence through brotherhood and closeness to other Muslim nations. During the Abrahamic hajj, Muslims move from discord to unity.

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A physical and spiritual journey

The hajj is not a journey for fun – it is a spiritual journey. It is a journey towards God on which pilgrims are accompanied by their body and soul. The journey towards God is not a physical journey for mystics – it is a spiritual journey for them. The hajj is a journey on which pilgrims are accompanied by their body and soul. It is not right to reduce the hajj to a physical journey to Mecca. Some people may feel indifferent towards the hajj pilgrimage when it is not their first time. They may no longer feel the internal transformation they experienced on their first hajj. This is not good.

The essence of the hajj consists of two main elements: Getting close to God in thought and action, and avoiding taghut [non-divine rule] and Satan both physically and spiritually. All the rituals of the hajj are performed to achieve these two goals or to fulfill the requirements thereof. And in fact, these two are an outline of Islam and all divine orders.

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The purposes of the hajj

Discussing the important issues of the world of Islam

Discussing the important issues of the world of Islam is one of the important things that pilgrims should do to fulfill one purpose of the hajj. If we think of the hajj as a great annual summit attended by Muslims from across the world, the current issues of the Muslim world would be the most urgent subject to be discussed at the summit. The hajj is reflected in the arrogant powers' propaganda in a way that Muslims across the world do not learn any lesson or hope. And if the arrogant powers are implicated in an event, their propaganda machines neither reveal the identity of the perpetrator nor show the reality – or sometimes the event is not reflected at all. The hajj is an opportunity to disclose this propaganda treachery, reveal the truth, and raise Muslims' awareness.

Not a single devout Muslim can be doubtful about the political aspects of the hajj. The hajj is not a genuine pilgrimage unless it is accompanied by unity, active political engagement, and expression of hatred for polytheism. If the hajj does not pose any threats to polytheism and atheism, it cannot be called a genuine hajj pilgrimage. Such a passive hajj pilgrimage does not have a soul.

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Arrogant powers' fear of Muslim unity

One of the main purposes of the hajj is to bring Muslims closer to one another. That is why Allah the Exalted says, "And proclaim to men the Pilgrimage. They will come to thee on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path." [The Holy Quran, 22: 27] That is why Allah the Exalted has ordered Muslims from across the world to gather in specific places – such as Arafat, Mash'ar, Mena, and Masjid al-Haram – at specific times. Why are they so much frightened of Muslim unity? The reason is that Muslim unity and ideological unanimity among Muslims are dangerous for the arrogant powers, headed by the oppressive American regime and its puppets in the system of global dominance. This is a reality that was reiterated by Imam Khomeini (r.a.) on several occasions.

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The message of monotheism and unity

One purpose of the hajj is to let the Muslims of the world become familiar with one another and exchange views. The message of monotheism and Muslim unity, which was produced for the first time and rippled through time and the world, is what connects Muslims’ hearts to one another. Monotheism is the rejection of the rule of taghut [non-divine government], arrogant powers, and rich and powerful people. And unity is the manifestation of Muslim power and glory. The hajj repeats the same message each year through the impressive gathering of pilgrims. Every Muslim living in different parts of the world of Islam should once again realize during the hajj that Muslim prosperity and glory will only be gained through monotheism and unity – monotheism accompanied by all its personal, social, and political aspects and unity in the appropriate sense which can be practiced in the modern world.

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The goals of the hajj

Dhikr, spiritual presence, Muslims' self-consciousness, purging one's heart of sins and unawareness, the sense of belonging, the feeling of solidarity among Muslims, and the feeling of power are all embedded in the hajj pilgrimage. Pilgrims' efforts to get rid of spiritual maladies, the curiosity and efforts to identify and relieve the pains and sufferings of the Islamic Ummah, and sympathy towards other Muslim nations have all been built into the hajj rituals.

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Muslims drifting away from the goals of the hajj

We should sadly acknowledge that the way this divine obligation is currently practiced is far removed from how it should be practiced. Imam Khomeini (r.a.) made fruitful efforts in this regard, and he presented the Islamic Ummah with a vivid picture of the Abrahamic hajj – which can give rise to Muslim glory and transform the world of Islam. Imam Khomeini's picture of the hajj has benefited the Islamic world in many ways so far. However, with the insight and cooperation of all Muslim statesmen, religious scholars should make sincere efforts to change the current thoughts and actions of all Muslim nations. And hopefully, they will pay attention to this essential duty and make efforts to fulfill it.

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The hajj, a source of unity

The greatness of the sense of solidarity

The hajj is the manifestation of Muslim unity and solidarity. Allah the Exalted has ordered all financially capable Muslims to gather in specific places at specific times. God has called on Muslims to attend the hajj rituals for several days and nights, the rituals that signify Muslim harmony and peaceful coexistence. The first remarkable result of this divine order is that all pilgrims are infused with a sense of solidarity – each and every Muslim is filled with feelings of greatness and convinced of the glory of Muslim unity. When Muslims feel this greatness, they do not feel they are alone even if they live in a cave. When they understand this reality, Muslims living in different Islamic countries will find the courage to stand up to the anti-Islamic camp – the political and economic domination of the world of capitocracy and its mercenaries, plots, and seditious actions. When Muslims realize this reality, they will not be affected by the humiliation of the west, which is the major weapon used by western colonialists against the nations under their domination. This feeling of greatness can help Muslim governments rely on their own people and feel that they do not need the help of foreign powers, thereby plugging the dangerous gap between Muslim people and Muslim governments. It is this feeling of greatness and unity that can prevent the plots of old and modern colonialism – that is to say, reviving the extreme nationalist sentiments – from creating a wide gap among Muslim nations. Then different Arab, Persian, Turkish, African, and Asian ethnicities will become part of the Islamic Ummah instead of opposing the existence of a common Islamic identity. If that happens, instead of rejecting other ethnicities, each Muslim ethnicity will pass on its positive historical and racial characteristics to other Muslim ethnicities.

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The meaning of the impressive congregation of Muslims during the hajj

In Islam, there are collective prayers such as congregational prayers, Friday prayers, and prayers on Islamic Eids. But the impressive gathering during the hajj, the centralizing of dhikr and monotheism, and the congregation of Muslims living in different parts of the world of Islam in a certain place are very meaningful. All members of the Islamic Ummah – irrespective of their language, race, denomination, traditions, and tendencies – come together in one place and go through certain rituals, rituals that consist solely of praying, supplication, dhikr, and attention to God. This is very meaningful. It is clear that according to Islam and Islamic thought, spiritual solidarity is not required only in political arenas and during [armed] jihad. Even when Muslims go to God's House [Ka'bah], it is important that they be together – physically and spiritually. Therefore, the Holy Quran requires Muslims to "hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together" [The Holy Quran, 3: 103]. It is useless to hold by God's covenant separately. It is important that Muslims hold by God's covenant all together. They should collectively hold fast by divine teachings and guidance. It is important that they stay together – spiritually and physically. The ritual of going around the Ka'bah is the symbol of Muslims' movement around the pivot of monotheism. All our actions and efforts should revolve around monotheism and attention to God. This is a lesson for the entire life of Muslims.

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Abusing the means of unity

It is very unfair to turn this means of unity into a means of discord. All people should pay attention to this point. I am not just addressing the prejudiced Salafi-Takfiris in Medina who shout insults at what you hold sacred. Everyone must pay attention to this point. The officials in charge of the hajj - the accompanying clergymen and the executive officials in charge of the hajj - must take care not to turn this means of unity into a means of discord and fill the hearts of Muslims with pain and spite towards one another. The officials in charge of the hajj should figure out the things that make non-Shia Muslims spiteful towards their Shia brothers. They must identify the causes of discord and eradicate them. The hajj is a means for creating unity and harmony in the world of Islam. The officials in charge of the hajj must not allow the hajj to turn into a means of causing discord and spite. They have to be extremely cautious to identify these causes and their manifestations.

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Preventing unity

Those who seek to foment discord, cause sedition, and promote superstitious and biased ideas during the hajj are the agents of the arrogant powers, whether they know it or not. They ruin the opportunity provided by the hajj. Those who do not allow the glory and greatness of this unity to be presented to the great Islamic Ummah are among the people who ruin the opportunity provided by the hajj. Those who do not allow the unity and great glory of the Islamic Ummah to be reflected in the world of Islam are trampling on the rights of humanity. The glory of the Islamic Ummah does not mean ostentation, colonialism, humiliating other nations, and waging wars on the weak. Rather, the purpose of this glory is to promote divine values and monotheism. Today ignoring this divine opportunity will harm the world of Islam.

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The efforts of arrogant powers to cause discord

Today fomenting discord in the world of Islam is one of the main goals pursued by the arrogant powers and America. And causing discord among Shia and Sunni Muslims is the best way they can achieve this goal. You can see what the agents of colonialism are saying regarding the issue of Iraq. You can see what poisonous ideas they are promoting and how they are sowing the seeds of discord. The arrogant powers and the greedy and power-thirsty western superpowers have been doing these things for many consecutive years. The hajj is a good opportunity for them to make Shia and Sunni Muslims furious at one another and make one denomination insult what the other denomination holds sacred. We have to be cautious. Of course being cautious is not peculiar to the hajj – we have to be cautious all the time and in all arenas. Confrontation between Shia and Sunni Muslims is America's favorite type of discord. America wants Shia and Sunni Muslims to confront one another – the way enemies confront each other – and talk spitefully about each other. America wants Shia and Sunni Muslims to curse one another. It is not at all unlikely that they employ some people to cause discord during the hajj. Pilgrims have to be vigilant. The esteemed clergy who accompany the hajj caravans should feel completely responsible in this regard and see what the enemy wants. Those who play into the enemy's hands while they think they are defending the truth are truly unaware. Some people get money to cause discord, and they may manage to provoke some superficial and prejudiced Muslims into insulting what other Muslims believe in and hold sacred. If they manage to provoke a reaction, they will undoubtedly achieve their goal. That is exactly what they want. They want to make us fight each other.

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Expressing hatred towards polytheists

The main foundations of the hajj

In the great arena of the hajj, remembrance of God is considered a foundation of the hajj pilgrimage: "Laud Allah as you lauded your fathers, rather a more hearty lauding." [The Holy Quran, 2: 200] Expressing hatred towards polytheists is another foundation of the hajj: "And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah is free from liability to the idolaters, and so is His Messenger." [The Holy Quran, 9: 3] Similarly, being sensitive to any move that creates division and enmity among Muslim brothers is considered so important that even simple arguments between Muslim brothers – which may not appear to be very important in ordinary situations – are prohibited during the hajj. "So whoever determines to perform pilgrimage therein there shall be no immodest speech, nor abusing, nor altercation in the pilgrimage." [The Holy Quran, 2: 197] Expressing hatred towards polytheists – that is, the sworn enemies of a unified Islamic Ummah – is announced as necessary. At the same time, arguing with one's Muslim brothers is declared as haraam. Thus, the message of unity is expressed more explicitly during the hajj. In fact, the hajj is one of the best measures of Islam against lack of vigilance.

The fact the hajj is an international event appears to suggest that the Islamic Ummah is responsible for avoiding lack of vigilance in its collective identity as well.

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An opportunity for clarifying the realities

Muslims should not lose the opportunity – that is provided during the hajj – to clarify the realities and to express hatred towards America and the arrogant powers. The world of Islam must know what issues it is faced with. And these issues should become a motive for the dynamism of the world of Islam. In their propaganda, the arrogant powers pretend that such things as the hajj are no longer useful and that they will inevitably dominate the world. But the reality is something different. The fact of the situation is that the Islamic Ummah is powerful and that no one – neither America nor countries more powerful than America – will ever be able to stop the Islamic Ummah when it is determined.

Muslim nations should show their commitment to the interests of the world of Islam in whatever ways they can. In addition to being concerned about the unity of the world of Islam, Muslim nations should express their hatred towards the enemies of the Muslim world. According to Islam, that is the least pilgrims are expected to do during the hajj.

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The spirit of the hajj

Expressing hatred towards polytheists is not something imposed on the hajj from outside. It is an integral part of the hajj – its spirit. In their statements and media propaganda around the world, some people constantly try to suggest that Muslims have turned the hajj into a political event. What is the meaning of that? If they mean that Muslims have imposed a political aspect on the hajj, they have to know that the hajj was never devoid of a political aspect. Expressing hatred towards polytheists, idols, and idolaters is the spirit of the hajj. Each and every moment of the hajj shows Muslims' commitment to God and their efforts to further His cause and oppose Satan. Each and every moment of the hajj is the manifestation of playing down the importance of real and conventional differences and highlighting Muslim unity and brotherhood. The hajj is an opportunity to learn these great lessons.

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Prohibiting the expression of hatred towards polytheists

I cannot understand why the Saudi government – which has pledged to serve pilgrims – has prohibited the ritual that is a source of unity and glory for Muslims and shows Muslim hatred towards the arrogant powers and the enemies of the world of Islam. This is not acceptable to me. Who will this measure benefit in the current situation of the world? Is it a crime to support oppressed nations? Does disclosing the plots hatched – by America and other arrogant powers –against Islam and Muslim nations go against our obligations? Does the Quran not explicitly require Muslims to unite and express hatred towards divisive factors? The prohibition of this ritual will only benefit America and the Zionists.

The loud expression of hatred towards polytheists during the hajj is indicative of the hatred that Muslims feel towards the arrogant powers and their puppets, who are unfortunately wielding a lot of influence in Islamic countries. Through imposing cultural norms, lifestyles, and political principles which are contaminated by polytheism on Islamic communities, they have managed to undermine the foundations of practical monotheism and reduce it to a name.

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