A Reflection on the Behavior of Hajj Pilgrims in the Light of the Hadith "Be an Ornament for Us" from the Perspective of the Martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution

The noble hadith Be an ornament and do not be a disgrace, transmitted from the will of Imam Hasan al-Askari, is one of the most fundamental ethical teachings concerning the social conduct of Shi'a Muslims. This study aims to explain the desirable behavior of Iranian Hajj pilgrims in light of this hadith, drawing on the statements of the Supreme Leader (the martyred leader of the Revolution) in annual meetings with Hajj officials and organizers from 2001 to 2025. The research adopts a qualitative approach and is based on grounded theory in the systematic tradition of Strauss and Corbin (1990). Data were manually analyzed using a line-by-line constant comparative approach. In the open coding phase, 38 conceptual codes were extracted from the statements. In the axial coding phase, these codes were organized into five main categories. In the selective coding phase, these categories were integrated around the core phenomenon of "transformation of an individual journey into a dual mission of inner purification and collective journey of the Ummah." The findings indicate that the desirable pilgrim behavior, in the Leader's thought, simultaneously encompasses individual dimensions—including self-purification and deepening of worship—and collective dimensions—including fostering unity, representing Shi'a identity, and practical invitation to Islam. By extracting a micro and operational behavioral model from the Leader's statements, this research establishes a bridge between the narrative heritage of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and contemporary strategic thought, and can serve as a foundation for developing educational and orientation programs for pilgrims prior to departure.