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INTRODUCTION
Allah has enjoined the pilgrimage to Mecca
(Hajj) upon all Muslim men and women once in a lifetime, provided they
have sufficient means. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. It was
prescribed in the sixth year after the emigration of the Prophet (peace
be upon him) from Mecca to Madinah. Denying the obligatory nature of
Hajj is tantamount to unbelief. A Muslim who has the ability to make
Hajj and does not do so will be accountable on the Day of Judgment. Allah says: “Pilgrimage to the house is a duty that humanity owes to Allah, those who have the means to undertake the journey [Sûrah Âl `Imran: 97]
Allah’s
Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Islam is built on the five
pillars: testifying that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is
Allah’s Messenger, establishing prayer, paying Zakâh, performing the
pilgrimage to Mecca, and fasting in the month of Ramadân.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]
Hajj and `Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) are among the good deeds that Muslims are urged to perform.
The
Prophet (peace be upon him) was once asked: “What is the best deed?” He
replied: “To have faith in Allah and His Messenger.” The enquirer
asked: “What next?” the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “To strive in
the cause of Allah.” The enquirer asked again: “What is the next best
thing?” He replied: “An accepted pilgrimage. [Musnad Ahmad]
The
Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s
pleasure and avoids all lewdness and sins will return after Hajj free
from all sins as he was the day his mother gave birth to him.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]
`Â’ishah
once said: “O Prophet of Allah! Striving in the cause of Allah is the
best deed. Should we (women) then, not actively participate in it?” The
Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “The best jihâd for you is an
accepted Hajj.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]
Abu Hurayrah narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Hajj is the jihâd for the old, the weak, and the women.” [Sunan al-Nasâ’î]
`Abd
Allah b. `Abbâs has relates that a man was riding his mount on the
plain of `Arafât when suddenly he fell down and died. The Messenger
(peace be upon him) said: “Wash his body and bury him in his ihrâm
garments (the two sheets worn by the pilgrim), leaving his head and
face uncovered, for he will rise on the Day of Resurrection reciting
the pilgrim’s call.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]
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