Everything in this life is based on principles and rules, without which everything would be chaotic and would undoubtedly be eradicated from existence.

Hajj is no different, for in order for Hajj to be complete, a set of principles and rules must be fulfilled, some of which are moral, others behavioral, and others that are relevant to the rituals of this pillar of Islam.

Good morals and behavior are the adornments of Hajj. There are many virtues during Hajj that greatly affect one’s behavior, such as patience, gratitude, self-control, striving against one’s desires for Allah’s sake, disobeying one’s whims, a spirit of cooperation, contentment, truthfulness, sincerity, righteousness, benevolence, amiability and affection towards everything in the universe.

It is unimaginable for Hajj to be complete without adopting these values. There is no use traveling long distances to perform Hajj without purifying the soul and adorning it with the sound morals of Hajj. Upon achieving this purification of the soul and good morals, one should praise Allah The Almighty for the favor of Hajj that fills the person with love, good manners and proper behavior.

Dear pilgrim, your patience is crystallized in bearing the hardships and difficulties of traveling.

If you travel by bus or car, you tolerate the hardship of the road, the long distances and perhaps harsh weather conditions. Is this not for the sake of Allah The Almighty? What blessed suffering! What beautiful patience for the sake of Allah The Almighty!

If you travel by air, you have to be patient during the airport procedures and delays due to the large numbers of pilgrims. Shouldn’t every pilgrim adopt the virtue of patience for the sake of Allah The Almighty?

A pilgrim may see an older pilgrim who cannot stand for long, and might find the latter a place to rest or help him fulfill his requirements quickly. Is this not cooperation for the sake of Allah The Almighty? Is this not one of the morals of Hajj?

Going against your desires and self, its love of rest and laziness, and forcing yourself to get up and become active in performing acts of worship – isn’t this for Allah’s sake and one of the virtues of Hajj?

Isn’t spending your time, efforts and provision to aid a fellow pilgrim, nurse him or offer him medicine done for the sake of Allah The Almighty and another aspect of the good morals of Hajj?

Isn’t your love, sincerity, harmony and cooperation with your group of pilgrims done for the sake of Allah The Almighty and counted among the morals of Hajj?

Isn’t patience in the face of those who harm you, controlling your anger and pardoning others’ mistakes for the sake of Allah The Almighty, part of the morals of Hajj?

Isn’t your satisfaction with whatever happens to you, such as incidents that are beyond your control, and your patience in enduring them because they are decreed by Allah The Almighty done for the His sake and among the morals of Hajj?

Hajj is not a mere word; rather, it is a comprehensive set of behavior, responsibility and sound conduct. If pilgrims realize these values and behavior well and adopt them, they will become far better people and will emerge from Hajj bearing the crown of good behavior and refined morals.