Mecca: The Hajj journey, which represents the fulfillment of the fifth pillar of Islam, is an opportunity for personal transformation, cultivating patience, resilience, endurance, solidarity and cooperation.
These virtues can have a positive impact on an individual’s life long after the pilgrimage is completed.
The pilgrimage may also strengthen family ties, as many perform the hajj with relatives and create shared memories. (AN photo by Huda Bashata)
Before arriving in Saudi Arabia, many pilgrims sell valuable possessions such as property or homes in order to fulfil this obligatory act of prayer that Muslims must perform if possible.
Abeer Al-Jasser, a Syrian pilgrim from Deir ez-Zor, said she had been waiting for years to perform the Hajj. She stressed her determination to perform all the Hajj rituals meticulously and hopes to set out with renewed vigor and outlook on life.
The pilgrimage can also strengthen family ties, as many perform the hajj with relatives and create shared memories. (AN photo by Huda Bashata)
She described the pilgrimage as a special spiritual opportunity to increase closeness to God, deepen faith and bring peace and comfort: “Performing the ritual is seen as an opportunity to cleanse oneself from sins, bringing psychological peace and relief from the burdens of the past.”
“The sight of Muslims dressed in white, symbolizing equality and unity, brings comfort and peace. It is a deeply moving experience to witness this deep brotherhood, as people from all over the world come together in a single purpose,” Al-Jasser said.
It is a deeply moving experience to see people from all over the world united in a single purpose and to witness the deep sense of brotherhood.
Abeer Al JasserSyrian Hajj pilgrims
She added that the hajj has numerous positive effects on health, family and community, encourages self-evaluation and goal-setting, and aids in personal growth and decision-making.
The pilgrimage may also strengthen family ties, as many perform the hajj with relatives and create shared memories. (AN photo by Huda Bashata)
“The pilgrimage teaches us the spirit of cooperation, helping others, respecting and valuing others, cultivating humility and curbing selfishness,” she added.
After completing the ritual, pilgrims may experience a deep sense of inner peace and satisfaction that can linger long after they return home, she said.
The pilgrimage can also strengthen family ties, as many perform the hajj with relatives and create shared memories. (AN photo by Huda Bashata)
For many, the hajj is not just a religious obligation, but also a psychological journey that restores balance and enhances well-being. Psychological consultant Abdulrahman Al Zahrani spoke to Arab News about the positive psychological impact of the hajj, saying it is a roadmap for Muslims to reevaluate their relationship with God, community and family.
He said the pilgrimage provides a historic opportunity for “spiritual healing and cleansing of conscience.”
The pilgrimage may also strengthen family ties, as many perform the hajj with relatives and create shared memories. (AN photo by Huda Bashata)
While pilgrims may be physically exhausted from the journey, the hajj provides a kind of “psychological purification that provides temporary relief from worldly worries”, Al-Zahrani added.
“Facing the difficulties of the journey and performing rituals under difficult circumstances develops perseverance and resilience, which has a positive impact on daily life. Moreover, the values of cooperation and solidarity learned during Hajj are important,” he said.
“The journey also helps heal emotional and psychological wounds, with sacred sites and religious rituals providing solace and healing.” (AN photo by Huda Bashata)
“Religious rituals such as standing on Arafat provide pilgrims with an opportunity for deep reflection and can bring about a fundamental change in their way of thinking and outlook on life,” Al-Zahrani said.
“By witnessing and appreciating the hardships others face, pilgrims develop a greater sense of gratitude for what they have. Participating in the Hajj with a diverse group of Muslims also fosters mutual understanding and cultural tolerance, building bridges of respect and brotherhood.”
“The journey also helps heal emotional and psychological wounds, with sacred sites and religious rituals providing solace and healing.” (AN photo by Huda Bashata)
“The journey also helps heal emotional and psychological wounds, as sacred sites and religious rituals bring comfort and healing.”
Psychologist Ahmed Alzamel told Arab News that many Hajj pilgrims return with a strong desire to improve their behavior and live a life more in line with religious and ethical teachings.
“The experience of standing in a holy place and contemplating life and death instills a deep sense of humility and reverence toward God and enhances an individual’s spirituality,” he said.
“The Hajj can also strengthen family ties, as many pilgrims perform it with their relatives, creating shared memories and strengthening family ties,” he added.
“After completing the pilgrimage, pilgrims experience inner peace, learn forgiveness and mercy, and strengthen their personal and social relationships.”
Mutawhih Nader Osama described the Hajj as an inspiring spiritual journey. “Pilgrims often have a positive impact on their communities upon their return, inspiring others with the positive changes they have brought to their lives, encouraging them to improve their actions and deeds,” he said.
He added that many pilgrims are motivated by the values instilled in them during the pilgrimage to undertake acts of charity and helping others.
“The equality and unity experienced among people of different races and nationalities during the pilgrimage encourages us to understand and celebrate the human values that Islam has consistently promoted,” Osama added.
