Hajj

This is a brief discussion on Hajj – its virtues, benefits and a little about its rulings.

According to the correct view, Hajj was made obligatory in 9 AH (i.e., after Hijrah, emigration to Madeenah), the year of the Delegations, in which the chapter of Aal-‘Imraan was revealed; (it is this chapter) in which Allaah says which means, “…And (due) to Allaah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way…” (Aal-‘Imraan: 97)

Hajj is a fareedhah (obligatory duty) and is one of the pillars of Islam. The evidence for this is the verse mentioned above. There is also confirmation of it in the Sunnah, for Ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, “Islam is built upon five (pillars): testimony that there is no God but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, establishing regular prayers, paying the Zakaah, Hajj and fasting Ramadaan.” (Bukhaari & Muslim)

Hajj must be performed straight away; the proof for this is the verse referred to above. This (i.e., doing things straight away) is the guiding principle concerning the commands in the Sharee’ah (jurisprudence). The evidence of it in the Sunnah is as follows:

1. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam gave a sermon and said: “O people, Allaah has enjoined Hajj upon you, so do Hajj.” (Muslim)
2. Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever wants to go for Hajj, let him hasten in doing so because he may fall ill or some other problems may arise.” (Ibn Maajah & Abu Dawood) According to a report narrated by Ahmad, he said, “Hasten to do Hajj (i.e., the obligatory Hajj) for none of you knows what may happen to him.”

Those who follow the Shaafi’i school of thought say that Hajj may be delayed, because the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam delayed his Hajj until 10 AH. The response to this and the reason for that is as follows:

1. He sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam only delayed it for one year, yet they say it may be delayed indefinitely!
2. He sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam wanted to (first) purify the House (i.e., the Ka’bah) of the polytheists and those who performed Hajj naked.
3. He was busy with the delegations who had started to come to Madeenah one after another to announce their (conversion to) Islam.

It is obligatory to do Hajj once in one's lifetime. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam gave a sermon and said, “O people, Allaah has enjoined Hajj upon you so do Hajj.” A man said, “Every year, O Messenger of Allaah?” He remained silent until the man had said it three times, then he said, “If I say yes, it will become obligatory and you will not be able to do it.” He, then, said, “Do not push me to tell you more than what I have left you with, for those who came before you were destroyed because they asked too many questions and argued with their Prophets. If I command you to do a thing, do as much of it as you can, and if I forbid you to do something, then avoid it.” (Muslim)