May 06
Hajj was made obligatory upon Muslims
Tuesday 8 Dhul Qidah, 1446
May 06
Tuesday 8 Dhul Qidah, 1446
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is performed at the holy city of Makkah. All Muslims are required to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime, provided they are financially and physically stable. If they lack financial stability or even have a physical disability, then they don't need to perform the Hajj.
Hajj is important both spiritually and religiously. For Muslims, this journey proves highly beneficial, as all sins are forgiven and the soul is refreshed. Hajj strengthens the nation as a whole, reconnects the Muslim community to their history, and diminishes every concept of discrimination.
“Announce the Pilgrimage to the people. They will come to you on foot and riding along distant roads on lean and slender beasts,”
In Saudi Arabia, Makkah was considered a religious centre even before Islam, due to the Kaaba that was built by Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and Prophet Ismail عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ as a place to worship Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. However, as time passed, the practices introduced by Ibrahim were not properly performed, and thus they lost all meaning. The Quraysh and other tribes stored their idols in the Kaaba, thus making every ritual performed meaningless.
Although the religious journey to Makkah had lost its original essence, the idea of pilgrimage still held significant importance in that area. People would visit Makkah and perform all the rituals. Rituals performed in the name of religion were not by the commandments of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, and thus had no meaning at all.
During the early days of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to spread the knowledge about worshipping only Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, and asking them not to worship idols, as it is shirk. Along with these teachings, one of the factors was to rebuild the Kaaba and restore the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). As described in the Quran in (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:26) :
“When We chose the site of the House for Abraham (We said:) "Associate no one with Me, and clean My House for those who will circumambulate it, stand (in reverence), and bow in homage.”
The re-establishment of Kaaba and the performance of Hajj deeply reflect honour for the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and making it an obligation, thus acts as a source of reconnection to Islamic history and strengthening the Ummah.
Hajj was made an obligation for Muslims after nine years of Hijrah for those who have the resources to perform this journey. This phase holds a significant place in Islamic history, as the Muslims had increased in number and strength by that time. In Surah Al Imran, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى stated that:
“It contains clear signs, and the spot where Abraham had stood. And anyone who enters it will find security. And whosoever can afford should visit the House on a pilgrimage as a duty to God. Whosoever denies should remember that God is independent of the peoples of the world.”
This indicates that Hajj is an obligation for those who are financially and physically stable, but if they are not, they are not required to perform Hajj. It also tells us that Islam does not burden anyone beyond their limit. According to this statement of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, if a person refrains himself from performing Hajj even if he has all the means then he would be considered sinful as Hajj is an act of worship that is a gift from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى to humans so that they can be successful in this world as well as the in the world hereafter.
In (Surah Al-Imran, 3:96), Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى states that the Kaaba and Makkah are the sacred places.
“The first House of God to be set up for men was at Makkah, the blessed, a guidance for the people of the world.”
This ayat highlights the significance of the holy city of Makkah and the Ka'bah, thereby emphasizing Hajj as an act of worship. After this ayat, Hajj became an obligation for Muslims and is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. The other pillars include Toheed, Salah, Zakat, and Fasting. This moment led to a change in religion, followed by Muslims, thus ensuring unity and faith among the Muslim Ummah.
The Hajj pilgrimage took place 10 years after the Hijrah of Muslims from Makkah to Madinah. This journey is known as Ḥijjat al-Wadāʿ(Farewell Pilgrimage) which was led by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and more then 100,000 Muslims accompanied him in this religious journey. The journey was an accurate representation of Muslims' unity and faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
This religious journey is quite essential in Islamic history as it was the first and last Hajj performed by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). After this journey, Hajj became a vital part of the Muslim experience. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) thoroughly explained everything about Hajj, thus setting an example for the Muslim Ummah to follow.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) delivered a speech to the entire Muslim Ummah, known as Khutbah al-Wida, which outlines the key principles of Islam. At Mount Arafat, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) explained everything in detail, including the rights and responsibilities of men and women, ways to deal with different situations, and the significance of having patience and trust in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
During the performance of Hajj, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) received a message from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, which is written in (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:3) in the Quran.
“Today I have perfected your system of belief and bestowed My favours upon you in full, and have chosen submission (al-Islam) as the creed for you. If one of you is driven by hunger (to eat the forbidden) without the evil intent of sinning, then God is forgiving and kind.”
The first and last Hajj performed by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is exemplary for all the Muslim Ummah as well as the last message from our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It emphasized that Hajj is not only an act of worship where physical exertions are made, but also it states it as an act that reconnects the Muslim community, rebuilds their souls, and strengthens their beliefs.
Hajj is not only a journey that involves physical exertion, but it involves a change in one's perspective about life. The rites performed during Hajj are specially structured to strengthen faith and belief in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, awakening of soul and deepening one's love and obedience to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. Repentance is also a key factor in Hajj.
The religious dress code to perform Hajj is called Ihram, which consists merely of two white clothes wrapped around the body with one arm uncovered (for men), which is the representation of unity and equality. All the Muslims gather together at one place in front of the Kabba where there is no differentiation between rich and poor, everyone is equal and there is no discrimination among them.
“He who has more integrity has indeed greater honour with God. Surely God is all-knowing and well-informed.”
At the end of Hajj, all Muslims gather together at Arafat, which reminds them of the day of Judgement when we all have to stand in front of Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
Hajj serves as a source of unity within the Muslim Ummah, thereby uniting them. Thousands of Muslims gather every year at Makkah to perform Hajj. This act of worship diminishes every kind of discrimination and promotes unity and faith in Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, all around the world.
During the performance of Hajj, the rites to be performed include Tawaf and Sa’i. Tawaf is a complete full round of the Kabba while Sa'i is the walk between two mountains. These rites are performed in respect and love for the sacrifices that Prophet Ismail (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) , Hajraa and Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) made, thus emphasizing the significance of being patient and believing Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى's plans.
Although the Hajj was made essential for Muslims over 1,400 years ago, its significance remains unchanged in the modern world today. In the modern era, when everyone has their own perspective, ideologies differ along with people's beliefs. Hajj remains a source of reconnection and a strengthening force in the Muslim community.
Every year during the month of Zilhajjah, millions of Muslims from all around the world gather at the holy place of Makkah to perform their religious duty. It is said in Surah Al-Hajj, 22:27, in the Quran:
“Announce the Pilgrimage to the people. They will come to you on foot and riding along distant roads on lean and slender beasts,”
Modern technologies these days have somehow made the performance of Hajj easy, but along with the ease, it also comes with some problems, such as there is only a limited number of visas issued per year, the expenses on travel may increase or decrease depending on the economy, and health issues have also increased. However, the Muslims’ enthusiasm to perform Hajj remains unchanged.
Today everything is materialized to an extent that even the performance of Hajj seems very difficult. During the performance of Hajj, the Muslim community is united in one place, in the same religious dress code, and during the performance of Hajj, they all look alike. All the rich and poor perform their religious duty with enthusiasm, and thus the concept of discrimination is discarded.
Moreover, the performance of Hajj keeps Muslims connected to their roots, even in this era when one can be easily distracted. Thousands of people perform Hajj at the holy site of Makkah, where each single one of them has their own story that connects them to the religion.
In Islam, the Hajj is considered important religiously as well as historically. For Muslims, the performance of Hajj plays an important role as the command of Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, is fulfilled and is considered a representation of one's love for Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, the strength of the bond between the Muslim community, and a way to cleanse the soul.
In Islam, there are five basic pillars, and Hajj is one of them. Hajj is not merely just a journey that requires physical exertion, rather, it provides such an experience that can change one's perspective about life, rebuilds one's beliefs, and strengthens the love and respect for Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
In the modern era, where life has become more difficult as many Muslims have to face challenges and difficulties due to different laws and regulations, Hajj still provides them with the opportunity to fulfill their duty as Muslims, to cleanse themselves and their souls. It is an important act of worshipping as it reminds the Muslim Ummah of their duties, faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, and deepens their love for Islam.
Hajj is obligatory for Muslims who are stable financially, as well as they are fit physically for at least one time in their life. We should pray to Alla,h سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, to grant the opportunity to perform Hajj.
Performance of Hajj is an essential duty for Muslims who have all the means, such as being stable financially as well as physically. The stability refers to having sound health, travel safety, and enough money for the trip and support for the one's left behind.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is performed in the last month of the Islamic calender, that is Zilhajjah. The performance of Hajj continues for days. Umrah is a religious journey that can be performed at any time of the year. It has a shorter duration than the Hajj.
Yes, if one person suffers from a disease or condition in which he/she is not able to perform Hajj, then someone may perform Hajj on their behalf considering the fact that the other person has already performed their own Hajj. It is known as Hajj Badal.
If someone delays Hajj despite being able to is not encouraged and can be considered a sin. According to intellectuals, Hajj should be performed as early as possible if one has all the means to do so.