There are thousands of volunteers who play a commendable role in making the Kingdom’s Haj operation a resounding success. These volunteers attach great significance to serving Haj pilgrims, the guests of Allah, as it brings them great reward from God.

There are a number of factors that attract many young Saudis to do voluntary service during Haj. All of them agree on one point: They will be rewarded by Allah for their sincere service. However, some of them expect something beyond that. There are some social and economic factors that lure them to serve as volunteers.

Speaking to Arab News, Sameera, a Saudi divorcee and mother of a girl, said that she decided to serve as a Haj volunteer with the intention of winning the pleasure of God and His reward. “I get much satisfaction and enjoyment in addition to spiritual realization from this noble work,” she said.

As for Um Bashair, she sees Haj voluntary work as something quite different.

“In addition to winning a great reward from God, I see voluntary service for Haj pilgrims as an outlet to escape from solitude and mental disturbances. I am at that stage where I want to stay away from the hurly-burly of life,” she said, adding that Haj voluntary service helps her a lot to get rid of this state and mingle with the public by doing voluntary service for the guests of Allah.

“I feel satisfied with the service I do and also by expecting great reward from God,” she added.

Twenty-year-old Saudis Hassam Naif and Muhammad Saleh see Haj voluntary service as something that fetches them material gain in addition to spiritual.

They expect to earn a big amount of money during the Haj season. They also see voluntary service during Haj as simple as it is only a few days. “I see Haj voluntary service as a useful thing rather than sitting idle and playing games during the holidays,” Hassam said.

Muhammad was candid when told Arab News that what prompted him to do voluntary service is the financial gain. “We will get remuneration for the service. We are the beneficiaries of material gain in addition to the reward from Allah for the service,” he added.