Chief of Trend News Middle East Desk Rufiz Hafizoghlu

As do all Islamic traditions, the hajj is rooted in deep wisdom and virtues.

Hajj pilgrims can receive information on the attributes and rules of the hajj in religious books. But not every pilgrim is capable of understanding the spiritual essence of the hajj.

Indeed, the pilgrim setting off for the hajj should first of all know what the hajj is, and know that he is making the journey not for the sake of receiving a title. Unfortunately, some pilgrims make the hajj simply to receive the "hajji" title.

There is a forgotten truth. Official names and titles are not presented in Islam for worshiping Allah. The hajj is also not an act of worship to be distinguished. If an act of worship is performed to distinguish oneself from others, then it has no spiritual purity.

According to Islam, the hajj is performed to receive a title, but rather to signify an individual's closeness to Allah, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.

The hajj has several distinguishing features from other acts of worship in Islam. One of them is that the hajj demonstrates the solidarity of the Muslim people regardless of their language, race, nationality, sex and lifestyles.

Dhul-Hijjah (Month of Hajj) is the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar year. During this month, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca takes place, which is known as the hajj. Pilgrimage rites take place on the eighth to the twelfth days of the month. It is a lesson for pilgrims. The essence of the pilgrimage should be understood before setting off.

Considering the abovementioned facts, the question arises whether pilgrims preparing for the hajj understand its essence?

When answering the question we should say that most people do not even have a basic knowledge of the hajj. Their knowledge is limited to information received from acquaintances who made the pilgrimage.

This lack of information leads to the incorrect implementation of the hajj rites, which may even endanger a pilgrim's life.

What steps should be taken to prevent these problems to allow pilgrims to get the most out of their pilgrimage to Mecca. Indeed, most Muslim countries hold special lessons before the hajj to explain the journey's purpose and rites, including how to escape problems that can arise during the tawaf rite. Unfortunately, pilgrims in some countries do not heed such lessons. Even if they are religious they do no take part in these courses because they distrust religious clerks.

Although these are a pilgrim's problem, religious clerks are also to blame. One of the biggest problems with religious clerks is their self-isolation from society.

The most unfortunate thing is that religious clerks know most of society is unaware about the truths in the Koran, yet still express ideas contrary to common sense.

In fact, the Koran is addressed to all humankind as a leading contemporary future society.

It must not be forgotten that one does not have to be a religious clerk or have a special education to understand the Koran and by its word.

One feature of the hajj that distinguishes it from other acts of worship in Islam is that there is no mention of the last 10 nights of the month Dhul-Hijjah. During this month, an annual pilgrimage takes place. The Koran stated thus: "Swear by the 10 nights."

The prophet ruled in one hadith that there is not a day when good deeds are dearer to Allah than the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah.

Another distinguishing feature of this month is the day of Arafat: "The day of Arafat is the day Allah frees more people from hell, Satan is insulted and gets angry, the hajj pilgrimage takes place, the prayers in this day are superior than the prayers on other days..."

The hajj ends with sacrifice and festivity. Sometimes people with little knowledge about Islam say the religion forbids holidays and festivities. This is not true. Along with the two big holidays of Ramadan and Qurban, Islam has another holiday marked every week. It is Friday which all Muslims should celebrate as a holiday. This can be seen in the hadithes as well.

Not everybody is destined to do the hajj, but it is a desire of all Muslims.

Each pilgrim who visited the Kaaba is considered Allah's guest. It should not be used to receive title of the "hajji," but rather to serve Allah.