Compassion and companionship — qualities that define a human being — were witnessed strongly during the present Haj season.

There were many instances of youth carrying elders and aged spouses pushing around their partners on wheelchairs or sons helping their parents, all examples of exemplary human qualities.

Saudi authorities too lent a helping hand, providing top-class facilities to pilgrims like the train services between Arafah, Mina and Muzdalifah. But, even the short journey between the tent accommodations and train stations and Grand Mosque proved to be a major exercise for the physically-challenged and elderly pilgrims, but there was help at hand always.

Wheelchair bound pilgrims were a common sight in the holy cities during Haj. Several Saudis and Burmese and other Arab expats grabbed the opportunity to make a quick buck offering their services to cart around pilgrims in wheelchairs. And at the peak of Haj season, it could drain one’s pocket off SR1,000 for being pushed around in wheelchairs.

However, a vast majority of wheelchair users were being helped by close relatives — sons, nephews or spouse — in an expression of dedication and love. Husbands pushed around their wives and vice versa, in case the partner was elderly or physically not in a condition to walk.

Mohammed Ghiasuddin is one from the thousands of pilgrims who illustrated tradition and family values.

An Indian pilgrim from Andhra Pradesh, Moahmmed Ghiasuddin, who retired district registrar suffering from several ailments, arrived for Haj with his wife Shahnaz Begum, who herself is debilitated and can’t walk. Ghiasuddin, who could hardly push around the wheelchair carrying his wife, managed to do it for a couple of days before he fell ill.

Although temperatures hovered around at moderate levels, dehydration was a major problem for the pilgrims. Faruq El-Shawan from Egypt could barely manage carting around his aged mother in a wheelchair. A businessman, El-Shawan is the only son, and he was determined to fulfill his 80-year-old mother’s desire to perform Haj despite the sweltering heat.

It was also heart-warming to see volunteers, in groups, offering to help the guests of Allah in fulfilling their dream of performing Haj.