The Obligation of Hajj

 

The Obligation of Hajj

 

It should be remembered that like Salaat, fasting and Zakaat, Hajj is also a Personal Obligation (Fardh ‘Ain) and one of the articles of Islam.  Almighty Allah has mentioned in Surah Aale ‘Imran:

 

In it are Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.  Surah Aale Imran (3:97)

 

It is said that when this verse was revealed, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) gathered all nations and conveyed this to them.  The Muslims accepted it, but the Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, Saibeen and polytheists, these 5 did not accept it.  Then the Lord Almighty revealed this verse:

 

In it are Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.  Surah Aale Imran (3:97)

This means that those who don’t obey Him and deny it, they are disbelievers and Allah Most High doesn’t need anyone’s worship.  Thus, this worship doesn’t benefit Allah Most High in any way.  Instead those who perform this gain benefits and those who don’t, they lose out on them.

 

In Surah Hajj, Allah Most High has addressed Hadhrat Ibrahim (May peace be upon him) thus:

 

And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways.  Surah Hajj (22:27)

 

On this, Hadhrat Ibrahim (May peace be upon him) said: 

 

Translation: My voice won’t carry…

 

Then, he was told:  Your job is to give the call.  Making it reach is Our responsibility. 

 

Hadhrat Ibrahim (May peace be upon him) stood on the Maqaam and it became so high that it was higher than all mountains.  Then he said:  O people!  Be aware that your Lord has made a house for you and Hajj of that house is Obligatory on you all.  Thus, embrace the command of your Lord. 

 

On this call, every person for whom Hajj was destined answered from the backs of their fathers or from the wombs of their mothers:  Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik.

 

It is said that those who answered the call once will perform 1 Hajj and those who answered multiple times will perform multiple Hajj in their respective lifetimes.  Those who didn’t answer will remain bereft (of this honor).

 

Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) says:  The first to answer were the people of Yemen.  That’s why, they perform Hajj often.

 

The Obligation of Hajj is established through the aforementioned verse as well.  That is because if Allah Most High describes the commands given to some other (previous) nation in the Holy Quran and does not abrogate it, then that command is binding on us as well.  If a verse is addressed to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as some exegetes have written, then the Obligation is even more clearer.

 

There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

 

Translation: Islam is based on 5 things.  The first is to testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah Most High and that Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is His worshipper and Prophet.  The second is to offer Salaat (with all its requirements).  The third is to give Zakaat.  The fourth is Hajj and the fifth is the fasts of Ramadhan.

 

This shows that like Salaat, fasting, etc., Hajj is also an article of Islam.  Thus, that person who does not perform Hajj in spite of having the ability to do so, his (or her) Islam will not be complete.

 

[Excerpted from Ahle Khidmaate Shariah.  To be continued……]