Hajj is the lesser jihad. Hence the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to ‘Ā’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, concerning ‘umrah:

“Your reward is in proportion to your hardship.”

Allah Most High said concerning fighting in His cause:

“That is because no thirst, fatigue or hunger afflicts them in Allah’s cause, nor do they tread any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor inflict any loss on an enemy, without a righteous deed being recorded for them on that account. Indeed, Allah does not let the reward of those who do good go to waste.”

Merely tormenting oneself and one’s body without an outweighing benefit, however, has not been prescribed for us. Rather, Allah has commanded us to do what benefits us and forbidden us to do what harms us.

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in an authentic hadith:

“You have been sent only to make things easy, not to make them difficult.”

When he sent Mu‘ādh and Abū Mūsā to Yemen, he told them:

“Make things easy, not difficult; give glad tidings, and do not drive people away.”

He also said:

“This religion is easy. No one overburdens himself in practising it without being overcome by it. So make use of the early morning, the late afternoon and part of the night. Moderation, moderation, and you will reach your goal.”

It is also reported that he said:

“The religion most beloved to Allah is the upright monotheistic faith marked by ease.”

Thus, if a person experiences heat, cold, hunger or the like while fighting in Allah’s cause, performing Hajj or undertaking other such deeds, this is something for which he is praised. Allah Most High said:

“They said, ‘Do not go forth in the heat.’ Say, ‘The Fire of Hell is far hotter,’ if only they understood.”

Likewise, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Deeds that expiate sins include performing ablution thoroughly