HAJJ: THE PILGRIMAGE TO MAKKAH (pt. 1)

Miscellaneous Collection Regarding Hajj

Hajj is one of the best acts of worship. It is one of the pillars of Islam with which Allaah sent Muhammad and without which a person’s religious commitment is incomplete. It means travelling for the purpose of visiting the Ka’bah, the sacred House of Allaah, to perform the rites (manaasik), i.e., the actions and words reported in accounts of the Prophet’s Hajj, such as Tawaaf or walking around the Ka’bah seven times, as-Saa’ee or running between the hills of Safaa’ and Marwa seven times, standing at ‘Arafaah, stoning the Jamaraat (stone pillars representing the Shaytaan) at Mina, etc.

Hajj brings immense benefits to people, as they declare the Unity (Tawheed) of Allaah, there is forgiveness for the pilgrims, Muslims get to know one another and learn the rules of their religion, and so on.

The scholars (may Allaah have mercy on them) have stated the conditions of Hajj being obligatory, which, if they are met, make it obligatory for a person to perform Hajj, and without them Hajj is not obligatory. There are five such conditions: being Muslim, being of sound mind, being an adult, being free and being able to do it.

The Standing Committee said (11/30): “Being able to do Hajj means that one is sound in body and has means of transportation to reach the sacred House of Allaah whether by plane, car or riding animal, or by renting such means, according to his situation, and that he has sufficient provisions to get there and back. That should be surplus to what he needs to spend on those on whom he is obliged to spend, until he returns from Hajj. A woman should also have a husband or mahram with whom to travel to Hajj or ‘Umrah.” End quote.

Hajj is an act of worship ( as earlier stated) and worship cannot bring a person closer to Allaah and cannot be accepted unless it meets two conditions:

1 – Sincerity towards Allaah alone, i.e., it is done to seek the Countenance of Allaah and the Hereafter, and is not done to show off, to enhance one’s reputation or for worldly gain.

2 – Following the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in word and deed. Following the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) can only be achieving by knowing his Sunnah.

Hence the one who wants to worship Allaah by doing any act of worship – Hajj or anything else – has to learn the teachings of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) concerning it, so that his actions will be in accordance with the Sunnah.

You should also know – may Allaah make ease y/our affairs - If a person is able to do Hajj and meets all the conditions of it being obligatory, then he must do Hajj straight away, and it is not permissible for him to delay it.

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni: “If a person is obliged to do Hajj and is able to do it, he must do it straight away and it is not permissible for him to delay it. This is the view of Abu Haneefah and Maalik. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, 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 Allaah], then Allaah stands not in need of any of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:97].

And it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever wants to do Hajj, let him hasten to do it.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawood and Ibn Maajah. According to a version narrated by Ahmad and Ibn Maajah: “…for he may fall sick or be faced with some need.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah. End quote.

What is meant by “let him hasten to do it” is that a person who is accountable must do what is enjoined upon him as soon as he becomes able to do it, and it is not permissible for him to delay it with no excuse.

One of the great mercies that Allaah has bestowed upon this ummah (nation, i.e., the Muslims), is that Allaah has made obedience to His commands and the commands of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) subject to the condition that one be able to do them. For example, Hajj or Pilgrimage; if a Muslim does Hajj in the manner required by his Lord, then Allaah has promised to forgive him his sins and admit him to Paradise, on condition that he does not spoil this action by committing any major action that would invalidate it and earn the anger of Allaah. We ask Allaah to enable you to go for Hajj and do all its rites. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.

to be continued In Shaa Allaah...