The goals and effects of Hajj The goals and effects of Hajj are the spiritual and material results of the Hajj in the life of a Muslim, which are mentioned in religious texts. According to the Qur'an (verses 27 and 28 of Surah Hajj), the duty of Hajj has benefits for humans: وَأَذِّن فِی ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡحَجِّ یَأۡتُوکَ رِجَالٗا وَعَلَیٰ کُلِّ ضَامِرٖ یَأۡتِینَ مِن کُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِیقٖ لِّیَشۡهَدُواْ مَنَافِعَ لَهُمۡ ... and proclaim among men the Pilgrimage, and they shall come unto thee on foot and upon every lean beast, they shall come from every deep ravine(27) that they may witness things profitable to them and mention God's Name on days well¡known over such beasts of the flocks as He has provided them So eat thereof, and feed the wretched poor(28) In the hadiths of the Imams (a.s.), which have survived in Shiite texts, these "benefits" have been interpreted and considered to include worldly blessings and otherworldly benefits. In this article, some of the most important goals and results of Hajj are introduced based on Shia hadith and commentary texts. Repentance and forgiveness, self-improvement and piety, strengthening of faith, Tawalli and tabarri material benefits are among these goals and benefits.
Repentance and forgiveness
Based on a tradition, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) considered the main reason for the construction of the Ka'ba to be the repentance of the children of Adam and their purity from sin.[1] Imam Reza (a.s.) also said that the reason for the legalization of Hajj was Moving to God and repent of past sins and starting a new life.[2]Based on a narration, one of the instances of "benefits" in the verse: Template:Font color[Explanatory Notes 1] This is about seeking divine forgiveness and mercy.
Taqwa: According to a narration from Imam Reza (AS), one of the aims and effects of Hajj is self-improvement and eliminating unworthy traits. Similarly, an account from Imam Ali (AS) mentions the purpose of Hajj as expelling vanity from hearts and replacing it with humility. The wisdom behind each ritual of Hajj, as per narrations, is self-improvement. For instance, the wisdom behind sacrificing an animal is seen as the sacrifice of carnal desires and greed.
Quran and the purpose behind legislating Hajj: The Quran identifies the goal of legislating Hajj as attaining taqwa (God-consciousness). In another verse, it mentions Hajj in specific months and encourages seeking provisions for oneself as the best provision is taqwa. Hadiths emphasize maintaining taqwa from the time of Ihram to the conclusion of the rituals.
Strengthening faith: In narrations, the phrase "set up for mankind" in the verse about Kaaba being a place of standing for people is understood to mean the establishment of religion and sustenance for people. Hence, one of the aims of Hajj is considered the establishment of religion. Another narration links the establishment of religion to the existence of the Kaaba. Hajj is also considered Islam's banner and a means of elevating faith and reforming people's beliefs.
Spiritual connection with divine leadership (Tawalli): The Quran mentions Ibrahim's duty to call people to Hajj so that they come to him; therefore, one of the aims of Hajj is strengthening friendship and a connection with divine leaders. Some narrations interpret "my descendants" in Ibrahim's plea to God as referring to the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). Another narration sees completing Hajj and Umrah as an opportunity to meet Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Imams (AS).
Notes
- ↑ "And proclaim to the people the Hajj... that they may witness benefits for themselves."
References
- Kulaynī, Muḥammad b. Yaʿqūb al-. Al-Kāfī. Edited by ʿAlī Akbar Ghaffārī & Muḥammad Ākhūndī. Tehran: Dār al-Kutub al-Islāmīyya, 1407 AH.
- Ḥurr al-ʿĀmilī, Muḥammad b. al-Ḥasan al-. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿa. Edited by ʿAbd al-Raḥīm Rabbānī Shīrāzī. fifth edition. Beirut: Dār Iḥyāʾ al-Turāth al-ʿArabī, 1403 AH-1983.
- Ṣadūq, Muḥammad b. ʿAlī al-. ʿIlal al-sharāʾiʿ. Edited by Sayyid Muḥammad Ṣādiq Baḥr al-ʿUlūm. Najaf: Manshurāt al-Maktaba al-Ḥaydariyya, 1385 AH/1966.