The Obligation of Hajj (Pilgrimage) and its Excellence
Allah, the Exalted, says:“And Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e., denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the Alamin (mankind, jiin and all that exists).” (
Surat al-Imran, 3:97) Ibn ‘Umar (R.A.) reported: The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said, “(The superstructure of) Islam is based on Five (pillars), [1] testifying the fact that La ilaha illalah wa anna Muhammad-ar-Rasuk-ullah [there is no true God except Allah, and Muhammad (S.A.W.) is the Messenger of Allah], [2] establishing As-Salat (the prayers), [3] paying Zakat (poor due), [4] the pilgrimage to the House (of Allah (Kabah)], and [5] the Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) delivered a Kutbah and said, “O people! Hajj has been made incumbent upon you, so perform Hajj.” A man inquired: “O Messenger of Allah, is it prescribed every year?” He (SAW) remained silent till the man repeated it thrice. Then he (SAW) said, “Had I replied in the affirmative, it would have surely become obligatory, and you would not have been able to fulfill it.” Afterwards he said, “Do not ask me so long as I do not impose anything upon you, because those who were before you where destroyed on account of their frequent questioning and their disagreement with their prophets. So when I order you to do something, do it as far as you can; and when I forbid you from doing anything, eschew it.” [Muslim] Commentary: This Hadith brings out the following points:
- Hajj is compulsory once in a lifetime for those who have the means for it.
- Unnecessary questioning is disliked
- Those who believe in Allah and His Prophet (SAW) are required to do what they are ordained and abstain from what they are forbidden.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Whoever performs Hajj (pilgrimage) and does not commit to Rafath (with his spouse), nor commits sin, nor disputes unjustly (during Hajj), then he returns from Hajj as pure and free from sins as on the day on which his mother gave birth to him.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Aishah (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “There is no day on which Allah sets free more slaves from Hell then he does on the Day of Arafah.” [Muslim] (Amazing, subhanAllah) Commentary: Almighty Allah emancipates most of His slaves, both men and women from the Hell-fire on this great day. Millions of pilgrims, who by virtue of their sincere repentance, try to seek the Pleasure of Allah certainly stand to earn Allah’s Pardon for their sincs and thereby emancipation from the Hell-fire, May Allah grant us this grace of His (Amin). ————————————————————————————————————————————––————–
Hadiths No. 1271, 1272, 1274 & 1277 from the “Riyadh-us-Saliheen: Volume Two” compiled by Al-imam Abu Zakariyah Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi.
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