Much has been said about the acts of worship from the perspective of requirements, conditions, and necessary prerequisites, but without looking at their effect on the nurture and growth of human character as well as the positive results of their practical implementation.

A lot of people who perform these acts of worship, paying attention only to their technicalities without minding the spirit and aim beyond their performance and their comprehensive impact in their lives, do in fact contradict themselves. They may exaggerate in ablution and in performing the prayers fulfilling all their requirements, but they forget to clear their hearts of grudges, hate, and envy.

One of them can be seen running to perform the prayer on time, yet the same person would waste time at work talking about matters not related to work. Others would pay zakah (Arabic for: obligatory alms) every year, yet they are unfair and unjust to their employees or delay the payment of a due debt.

Some may be seen performing Hajj and `Umrah many times without caring about their kinship or visiting the neighbor next door.

This causes confusion to the point where some say that Islam is not working, whereas the fact is that people miss the true objective and the character-changing aspects of worship.

There is a lack of moderate balance in building the human character based on the spirit of the acts of worship and the objectives of Shari`ah behind their performance.

This series of articles concentrates on Hajj and the various impacts its rituals are supposed to leave on the human soul, hence, nurturing, improving, purifying, and reforming the Muslim individual on a balanced basis.

The various aspects of Hajj's impact on the Muslim individual as covered in this series are as follows:

1. The spiritual impact of Hajj

2. The behavioral impact of Hajj

3. The mental impact of Hajj

4. The physical impact of Hajj

Islam is the only correct measure on this earth. Almighty Allah says,

Almighty Allah is the One Who lays down all the laws because He is the One Who brought down the Book and revealed truth to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah the Almighty says about Himself,

Almighty Allah knows all the desires of one's nafs (Arabic for: one's self, which drives one from within) and the needs of humanity. He also knows what would lead humanity to happiness in this life as well as in the hereafter.

Therefore, the firmness of faith and the wisdom of rules result in the belief in the heart and the conviction in the mind. Belief and conviction say that Islam consists of the only set of rules that are well-designed with an inherent stability that can be gained by all those who adopt it if they are striving for real happiness, not an imaginary one.

Judging by the sad reality of the nations seen today and with the above in mind, each person who means to protect his or her people should look at Islam with the hope that Almighty Allah can make it the reason to turn the human beings back to what they should be in: a true, new civilization that takes care of body and soul, heart and mind, individual and society, and religion and country.

This article is based on the English translation of the author's work Ahkam Al-Hajj wa Al-`Umrah Al-Fiqhyah wa Atharahuma At-Tarbawiyyah (Jurisprudential Rules of Hajj and `Umrah and Their Educational Impacts).

Read Also:

• Reflections on the Qur'an: Refinement of the Soul
• Going to Hajj With the Intention to Repent
• Showers of Mercy on the Day of `Arafah
• So You Want the Mercy of Allah!