God has made clear that pilgrims must observe a very high standard of good manners and self-restraint during the pilgrimage. He says: “Whoever undertakes the pilgrimage in those months shall, while on pilgrimage, abstain from lewdness, all wicked conduct and wrangling.” (2: 197) The Prophet (peace be upon him) echoes these instructions and highlights the great reward God promises for observing them. Abu Hurayrah quotes him as saying: “Whoever undertakes the pilgrimage for God’s sake abstaining from lewdness and wicked conduct will be at the end of it free of sin like he was the day he was born.” (Related by Al-Bukhari).
The Arabic word, rafath, used in both quotations from the Qur’an and the Hadith is often used as a more polite reference to sexual intercourse. During pilgrimage sexual intercourse with one’s spouse is forbidden while one is in the state of consecration, or ihram. However, this word is rendered in translation as ‘lewdness’ because many scholars consider that, although the Qur’anic verse may refer to it, the Hadith appears to have a far more general import. Hence, the wider meaning of the word is adopted. Thus all lewdness, whether practical or verbal, must be avoided.
The Qur’anic verse and the Hadith make clear that a condition of the validity of the pilgrimage is that the pilgrim must refrain from all wicked conduct. This includes everything prohibited in Islam. A pilgrim takes his journey for God’s sake, declaring his devotion and commitment to Him and making clear that he seeks His pleasure. The only way to earn God’s pleasure is by obeying His orders and refraining from what He has forbidden. Hence, it is totally unacceptable and irresponsible to indulge in what God has forbidden. To do so is to contradict oneself at the very time when one is declaring one’s obedience and dedication. That is a case where one’s action refutes one’s statement.
The third thing the Qur’anic verse prohibits during the pilgrimage is wrangling. One must not get involved in any futile argument or dispute over petty matters. This is something that Muslims should always avoid, but particularly so during the pilgrimage. Pilgrims must conduct themselves in an easy, accommodating and tolerant manner. They must always remember that they are undertaking a great act of worship, hoping to receive God’s reward. Futile argument, wrangling and disputes do not fit with it. Hence, they must always be avoided.
What is the reward for heeding these instructions? The Prophet describes the reward in a graphic manner. The pilgrim who avoids all these completes his pilgrimage with all his sins erased. He wipes his slate clean of all sin. He is like a baby just born. Should he die, he will meet God with nothing to account for. There is, however, one exception: The rights of other people. If the pilgrim has wronged someone or unlawfully taken something that belongs to others, the only way to ensure forgiveness for such sins is to return what is due to those others, or get them to forgo what is due to them or to forgive past misdeeds. Alternatively, one must pray to God to satisfy them on one’s behalf.
