Hajj has many benefits, as it is a ritual from which we learn the perfection of servitude and submission to Allah the Almighty. Another benefit is that it includes training on the principles and values that Islam brought. Also, Hajj is a training for the soul to break away from the norm which in turn makes it easier to submit. The most important fruits of the pilgrimage however, that the believer reaps, is winning the beautiful paradise on the day of the greatest show.
There is a lot of great wisdom that we learn from Hajj. Part of the wisdom is that Allah prepares man for the perfect servitude of Almighty Allah,may He be glorified. Servitude is complete during Hajj because Hajj has many activities that a person does not know its meaning or essence, but accepts them. Among which is the circumambulation of the Ka’bah. Why does he circumambulate (the ka’bah)? Why is the circumambulation done seven times and not three or five times? Why starting from the black stone and not from the Yemeni corner? Why are there throwing stones? Why is the throwing seven? Why standing at Arafah? And what is the wisdom behind standing in this location? All these are like that so that man learns to worship Allah.
For Almighty Allah to say: I have commanded and I have been answered while the servant says: I heard and I obeyed. This is a very important matter. It is also clear in the statement of the pilgrim: Labbaik Allaahumma labbaik (I am here at your service, Oh Allaah, I am your service. He swiftly responds to what Almighty Allah commanded him.
On one hand, Hajj includes training on the principles and values that Islam brought i.e., Islam brought the value of equality between people. People are as equal as the teeth of a comb. O people, your Lord is one, and your Father is one, all of you belong to Adam and Adam from dust. Prayer proves the meaning of equality, though diversity remains among the people in prayer. Some wear a turban, another wears ghutra and iqal, others wear a suit, and every one wears clothes that are common among his people or in his country. So there is a kind of distinction in prayer, even among those in the same row. Hajj wanted to remove all these differences, so it requires people to wear these clothes that resemble the shrouds of the dead, a robe and a garment as if people are being reminded of the hereafter. They are reminded of the kind of life it is. This is the meaning of equality.
Meaning of peace, Islam brought peace: O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly]. [Quran 2 : 208 ]. Almighty Allah’s name is “Peace”, Paradise is called “House of Peace”, and the greetings of Muslims in this world and the hereafter is “Peace”. He wants human beings to lead a life on a journey that is full of peace. Hence, in Ihram, when a person is in it, it is forbidden for him to hunt a game or even to eat a game hunted for him. Even in the noble land of Makkah, it is not permissible for him to hunt its game, nor to cut even its grass or its trees. All these are because he lives on a journey of peace.
We also learn from the Hajj the meaning of universality. Hajj fulfills the meaning of universality. Islam came as a universal call (to be a warning to the worlds) (and we did not send you except as a mercy for the worlds) (Say, O people, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all). This universality shows that it is the most powerful thing that appears in Hajj. People come from every deep crevice, white, black and colored; this one is from Asia, this is from Africa, this is from Europe, that is from Australia and the other is from America; the types, colors and classes, all affirm the universality of Islam. The Muslim who lived in his village and only saw the people of his village throughout his life sees the world in Hajj. Such Muslim gets out of this small crucible to (meet) the world.
On another hand, a person gets used to going out of his familiar routines. Hajj is a revolution against the usual. A person goes out of his country to another country. Perhaps he has never traveled throughout his life, and lives a life similar to that of a man scout. A simple life of residing in a tent. All these are witnessed benefits. Some of the benefits are spiritual while some are material. These are the fruits of Hajj in this worldly life.
As for the Hereafter, the Prophet, may Allaah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “The accepted Hajj has no reward but paradise.” He also said: “Whoever performs the Hajj and does not disobey, nor commit corruption, he will return from his sins as the day his mother gave birth to him.” That is, he was born a new birth after Hajj and he lives a life of purity, integrity and repentance to Almighty Allah.