Cleric Advises Youth: ‘Think Before You Go on Umrah; Pilgrimage Begins with Reflection’
Hojat-ol-Islam Seyed Abdol Fattah Navab, the Islamic Revolution Leader’s representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs, urged young Iranians to view pilgrimage as a deeply personal and spiritual decision rather than a mere journey.
Speaking to IQNA, Navab said each individual reaches intellectual and spiritual maturity at a different age and that readiness is key before embarking on a religious journey. “Some may not reach mental maturity even at thirty, while others may attain it as early as twelve,” he noted, explaining that the same applies to readiness for Umrah.
He stressed that he never advises those who say, “Why should we spend our money in another country?” to go on pilgrimage.
“I would instead tell them to sit and think,” Navab said. “Every day, flights from our country take people abroad—for leisure, study, work, or treatment. A pilgrim, too, travels for a purpose: to cleanse the soul, shed tears, and renew the spirit.”
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The cleric said that spiritual journeys such as Hajj and Umrah provide inner peace that material pursuits cannot offer. “When one goes for pilgrimage, they experience an indescribable sense of renewal. It is not just about travel—it is about transforming the heart,” he added.
Navab advised that no one should perform Umrah or Hajj unless they feel spiritually and mentally ready. “Until one attains that maturity and worthiness, they should not seek to go,” he said. “The first step is reflection, not travel.”
He expressed hope that those who embark on Hajj or Umrah, especially educated pilgrims, will do so with clear plans and awareness. “If someone wants to make the most of this journey, they should seek guidance from experienced pilgrims, reflect on their own spiritual needs, and prepare a plan,” he said.
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Navab warned that unprepared travelers may waste precious time in the holy cities. “If a person leaves their hotel in Mecca or Medina and does not know whether to go right or left, it means they lack a plan,” he said. “But a person with a plan values their time and stays focused, even if others suggest doing something else.”
He emphasized that every minute in the holy land carries immense value. “If you divide the amount pilgrims spend by the minutes they spend in the sacred land, you realize each minute costs a significant amount,” Navab said.
“That time should not be wasted, because beyond money, the true blessing lies in the opportunity itself—an opportunity that may come only once in a lifetime.”
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