Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ says:
فِیۡہِ اٰیٰتٌۢ بَیِّنٰتٌ مَّقَامُ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ ۬ۚ وَ مَنۡ دَخَلَہٗ کَانَ اٰمِنًا ؕ وَ لِلّٰہِ عَـلَی النَّاسِ حِجُّ الۡبَیۡتِ مَنِ اسۡتَطَاعَ اِلَیۡہِ سَبِیۡلًا ؕ وَ مَنۡ کَفَرَ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ غَنِیٌّ عَنِ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ﴿۹۷﴾
In it are clear signs - the place where Ibrahim stood (is one of them); and whoever enters it shall be safe; and performing the Hajj (pilgrimage) of this house, for the sake of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ), is a duty upon mankind, for those who can reach it; and whoever disbelieves - then Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) is Independent (Unwanting) of the entire creation! [‘Aal-e-‘Imran 3:97]
Nevertheless, millions of Muslims journey to the Sanctified city of Makkah each year from every corner of the globe, providing a unique opportunity for people of various nations to meet one another as guests of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, the Most Kind. Hajj is an expression of pure faith and total submission to Almighty Allah’s عَزَّوَجَلَّ command, and the pilgrim performs rites of unquestioned obedience, seeking nothing but the acceptance of their efforts and forgiveness of their past sins. A person who has completed the Hajj returns with a fresh outlook on life, a purified soul and blessings from Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ the Most Kind.