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,
jinn and all that exists).'' (3:97)
1271. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased
with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "(The superstructure of) Islam is based on five (pillars),
testifying the fact that La ilaha illallah
wa anna Muhammad-ar-Rasul-ullah [there is no true god except Allah, and
Muhammad ((PBUH)) is the Messenger of Allah], establishing As-Salat (the prayers), paying Zakat
(poor due), the pilgrimage to the House [of Allah (Ka`bah)],
and the Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith has been mentioned earlier. Here it has been
repeated in support of the obligation of the fourth pillar of Islam. Thus, Hajj
is compulsory for a person who fulfills the qualifications required for it and
has the means for it.
1272. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased
with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) delivered a Khutbah and said, "O people!
Hajj (pilgrimage to the House of Allah) has been made incumbent upon you, so
perform Hajj.'' A man inquired: "O Messenger of Allah, is it
prescribed every year?'' He (PBUH) remained silent till the man repeated it
thrice. Then he (PBUH) 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 were 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:
1. Hajj
is compulsory once in a lifetime for those who have the means for it.
2.
Unnecessary questioning is disliked.
3.
Those who believe in Allah and His Prophet (PBUH) are required to do what they
are ordained and abstain from what they are forbidden.
1273. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased
with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) was asked: "Which deed is the
best?'' He (PBUH) replied, "Faith in Allah and
His Messenger.'' Then he was asked: "What is next?'' He replied, "Jihad (holy fighting) in the Cause of Allah.''
Then he was asked, "What is after that?'' He (PBUH) replied, "Hajj Mabrur (an accepted
pilgrimage).''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith points out the fact that Hajj is one of the most
prominent religious acts, provided it is done sincerely and keeping oneself
away from sins. Some people have interpreted the word "Hajj Mabrur'' as an accepted Hajj. They say that the sign of an
accepted Hajj is that one becomes a true worshipper of Allah, which he was
previously not.
1274. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Whoever performs
Hajj (pilgrimage) and does not have sexual relations (with his wife), 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].
Commentary: The true meanings of "Rafath'' sexual intercourse but it also
signifies obscene and frivolous talk and the __expression of sexual
desire to one's wife. Since coition with one's wife is forbidden during Hajj,
so conversation with her on this subject or talking for amusement is also
disliked. "Fisq''
means disobedience of Allah and quarrelling with people. One must
avoid both of them during Hajj. The Hajj which is performed with all these restrictions, has the merit that one is totally purged of
sins. But this purification is from sins which come in the category of minor
sins and which relate to the Rights of Allah. Major sins relating to the Rights
of Allah and lapses in respect of the rights of people are not pardoned without
sincere repentance and compensation to the aggrieved.
1275. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "(The performance
of) `Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed
between it and the previous `Umrah; and the reward of
Hajj Mabrur (i.e., one accepted) is nothing but Jannah.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith tells us that the merit of `Umrah
is that it is an expiation for sins. But this, too, is an
expiation for minor sins. `Umrah includes
assuming Ihram, circumambulation of Ka`bah, going
between As-Safa and Al-Marwah
and Halq or Taqsir (shaving of head or cutting hair). Whether or not `Umrah is an obligation
like Hajj is arguable among the `Ulama'. Some
people, like Imam As-Shafi`i, hold that it is
obligatory; others like the followers of the Hanafi
school of thought regard it Sunnah Mu`akkadah; still others think it to be voluntary. Imam Al-Bukhari is inclined to the first view which is also
endorsed by sayings of some Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) about which some Muhaddithun (scholars of Hadith) have even claimed that these sayings are Mausul, the chain of narrators reaches up to the Prophet
(PBUH). (For further details, please see Fath Al-Bari.) Otherwise,
the view that it is non-obligatory is preferable.
1276. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with
her) reported: I said: "O Messenger of Allah! We consider Jihad as the
best deed, should we not then go for Jihad?'' The Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
said, "The best Jihad for you women is Hajj Mabrur (i.e., one accepted by Allah).''
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary: In
ordinary circumstances, Hajj is the best of Jihad for women because in Islam,
politics, economy, government, military affairs etc., come in the purview of
men and men alone. Women are exempted from all such matters. However, in case
of war, if the need arises, women can be engaged for supply of food, first-aid
of the wounded etc., on the internal front, provided they can do such works
without crossing the bounds of the Islamic-type veil. But imparting military
training to women and dispatching them to war front are sheer imitations of the
western nations for which there is no scope in the teachings of Islam. This Hadith also confirms this view.
1277. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "There is no day
on which Allah sets free more slaves from Hell than He does on the Day of `Arafah.''
[Muslim].
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
sins and thereby emancipation from the Hell-fire. May Allah grant us this grace
of His.
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