The months of Hajj are well-known. Whoever intends to perform Pilgrimage in these months shall abstain from sensual indulgence, wicked conduct and quarrelling; and whatever good you do, Allah knows it. Take your provisions for the Pilgrimage – but, in truth, the best provision is piety. O men of understanding, beware of disobeying Me. (Al-Qur’an – 2:197)
Hajj is one of the enjoined obligations Muslims ought to practise. Intending Hajj pilgrims make preparation for it from every aspect – mental, physical, financial and of course spiritual. In this process they have to follow certain dos and donts this verse wants them to do. The foremost is that in the state of consecration (ihram) the husband and wife are required to refrain not only from sexual act but also from lascivious conversation. And, from any act which either stems from or is likely to lead to it. They should also refrain from wicked conducts such as quarrelling with fellow beings. In the state of ihram it is a sin even to rebuke one’s servant.
Earlier it was considered an act of gross worldliness for anyone to carry provisions while on Hajj journey. This misconception has been removed here. True righteousness lies in the fear of God, in abstaining from violating His commands, and in leading a pure life. If a person’s heart is enlightened with the fear of God, and his moral conduct is good enough, he will be exalted by God and held in high esteem by human beings as well, regardless of the amount of provisions he carried during the Hajj journey.