Dr Reza John Vedadi
That is a Good Thing
Modern life is full of distractions. From endless scrolling to long work hours, Muslims today live under constant pressure. However, Hajj forces us to stop. The Qur'an says:
"Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to make the journey." (Qur'an 3:97)
That verse still applies today, whether you are riding a camel or flying Emirates. If you are able (physically and financially), Hajj is not optional. It is a reset button for the soul in a world that rarely gives us one.
Hajj Does not Just Talk About Equality – It Enforces It
While many global events discuss diversity, the Hajj exemplifies it. Over two million people wear the same clothes, sleep in the same tents, and drink from the same taps. One pilgrim in the documentary said:
"You're just there to beg for His mercy… nobody else matters."
Modern systems run on class, status, and appearance. However, in Hajj, all that collapses. The Qur'an tells pilgrims not to argue or speak harshly during the rites (2:197).
Imam Ali (as) (the cousin and closest companion of the Prophet) once said: "Keep God's House crowded. If it is abandoned, the ummah will fall into poverty." That is not just about money. It is a warning that Muslims who stop meeting in real life will grow poor in understanding and compassion.
Asim's Story: A Disabled Pilgrim Refuses to Be Left Out
The film follows Asim, a Canadian with cerebral palsy. When his walker was lost by the airline, he refused to give up. He chose to walk the ritual circumambulations around the Kaaba on his own, despite the pain. One of the group said:
"Even he has trouble walking, but he's doing the tawaf on his own… people came and kissed him, making dua for him."
This matters. Today's culture puts too much focus on physical perfection. Asim's presence reminds us that struggle is a form of worship. It also reminds non-disabled Muslims not to delay their Hajj out of comfort or excuses.
Imam Sadiq (as) (the sixth Imam) – put it bluntly:
"Whoever dies healthy and wealthy without performing Hajj will be raised blind on the Day of Judgement.”
Accessibility is not charity. It is a right. Moreover, inclusion begins with theology.
Circling the Right Centre
In places like London, Toronto, or Karachi, it is easy to make status, income, or social media our centre. However, tawaf (circumambulating the Kaaba) trains us to put God at the centre again.
Majid, a dentist from the UK, said:
"The first tawaf is difficult… you're worried about upsetting people next to you… after it's done you feel relief."
Repetition builds new habits. After a few rounds, Majid noticed that he was calmer and more focused. That is the point: let worship rewire your nervous system. Put God at the centre, and everything else will fall into place.
Arafah: A Day of Truth and Total Forgiveness
Arafah is the peak of Hajj. It is the most demanding day, often hitting over 45°C. In the film, one brother said:
"The test is to give you a taste of the Day of Judgement when there will be no shade except Allah's Throne."
Another added:
"If you leave Arafah and still doubt that Allah has forgiven you, that doubt itself is a sin… Arafah is where He forgives everyone."
Our modern lives are built around hiding flaws and selling images. But Arafah forces honesty. You are asked to confess, cry, and remember. The Prophet Muhammad (s) said:
“Whoever performs Hajj without indecent talk or sin returns like the day his mother bore him."
Sunni and Shia traditions both accept this hadith. That unity matters.
Medina: A City of Peace and Political Clarity
Before Makkah, the hujjaj had travelled to Medina, where Prophet Muhammad (s) lived until his passing and where his burial tomb and the beloved green-domed Mosque of the Prophet are now located. Kumail, one of the pilgrims, breaks down in tears:
"The feeling you get is just overwhelming peace… the Prophet was lying in front of me."
For Muslims who face constant attacks on their faith in the media, Medina is a reminder. Visiting the Prophet is more than a ritual it is a counter-narrative. It renews love. It reminds us that resisting injustice begins with emulating the mercy and courage of Prophet Muhammad (s) and his Ahlulbayt (as), including Sayeda Fatima, Imam Hasan, and Imam Hussain (as).
Ihram as a Rejection of Vanity and Waste
The rules of ihram – no perfume, stitched clothes, makeup, or even plucking hair – might seem strange to some. However, these are not about aesthetics. They are a rejection of an entire system built on consumerism and self-image. Hajj teaches that you do not need much to be close to God. That is a vital lesson in an age of fast fashion, beauty filters, and climate anxiety.
Hajj Unites a Fractured Ummah
One line in the documentary stood out:
"We're just one percent of two billion Muslims… chosen to be here."
In reality, the two million-plus Muslims attending the Hajj are 0.1% of the entire Muslim population in the world. In the news, Muslims are split into blocks – Arabs, South Asians, converts, and immigrants. However, during Hajj, none of that matters. Everyone wears the same clothes, prays towards the same direction, and worships the same Creator. Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei, in a recent meeting with pilgrims, stated;
“Today, the greatest benefit for the Muslim Ummah is unity. Nothing is more beneficial. If Muslims were united – stood together and supported one another – then Gaza wouldn’t be suffering like this. Yemen wouldn’t be under such pressure… Unity brings security. Unity brings progress. Unity brings mutual support.”
The Qur'an captures this perfectly:
"Proclaim the Hajj to mankind; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, from every distant pass." (Qur'an 22:27)
Hajj serves as a poignant reminder of a global community that transcends flags, politics, and media narratives.
What You Can Do if You Have Not Been Yet
Check your ability: Do not delay. Imam Sadiq's (as) warning reminds us: if you have health and money, plan now.
Practice simplicity: Observe digital fasting and quiet worship on weekends to cultivate discipline.
Help someone else go: Sponsor a family member or friend. You share in the reward.
Live the spirit of Hajj: Eat with others, dress modestly, and stop arguing.
Visit Karbala – If you cannot perform Hajj, make a point to visit the shrine of Imam Hussain (as) on the day of Arafah in Karbala,
‘Imam Sadiq (as) said: On Arafah Day, the Almighty Allah looks at the visitor of the grave of Imam Hussain (as) and says, “Continue with good deeds, for I have forgiven you.” Then He attends to the people in Arafat.’ Kamila Ziyarat
Visit Mashhad – Similarly, visiting the shrine of Imam Reza (as) in Mashhad carries a reward comparable to performing a thousand pilgrimages. Imam Reza (as) explained,
“It is located in the land of Toos. And, by God, it is a Garden - one of the Gardens of Heaven. Whoever visits me there in that shrine, it is as if he has visited God’s Prophet (S). God the Highest will record for him the reward of one thousand accepted obligatory pilgrimages to the Kaaba, and one thousand accepted ‘Umra pilgrimages to the Kaaba. Also, my forefathers and I will intercede on his behalf on the Resurrection Day.” Uyun Akhbar Ar-Ridha Vol 2
Hajj Is not Just a Ritual – It is a Revolution
In a world obsessed with individualism, Hajj offers unity. In a system built on selling your image, Hajj makes you anonymous. In a time of war, exploitation and grief, Hajj teaches patience, resilience, and love.
As the final scene of the documentary shows, the faces of the pilgrims are tired, but glowing. That glow is not from air conditioning or perfect photos. It is from knowing they stood where Prophet Abraham (as) stood that they walked where Prophet Muhammad (s) walked. And that they returned as a newborn into the world.
Do the Hajj because it is your duty. However, remember it daily – because it is your anchor,
"Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all who can make their way to it" (Qur'an 3:97)
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