HAJJ ACCORDING TO QUR’AN AND SUNNAH
Any form of worship (Ibadah) in Islam must be performed according to the Qur’an and Sunnah for it to be acceptable to Allah. One’s true attention (Niyah) must be for Allah alone and a desire for the Hereafter. It cannot be done with the intention of being seen among men for worldly gain. Strict care should be taken to perform all actions with Ikhlas (to Sunnah). This means performing Umrah and Hajj as performed by the Prophet (saw) without adding to or deleting from the lawful (Halal) means. One should start on this journey with the exclusive intention of carrying out the commands of Allah and to seek Allah’s guidance and pleasure.
The Prophet (saw) said:
“Take from me your (Hajj) rite” – (Muslim: 1297)
The Qur’an explains in detail about Hajj. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) performed Hajj in the 10th year of Hijrah. During this Hajj, known as the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjatu-Wadaa’), the Prophet (saw) practically illustrated how it should be performed.
The Prophet (saw) uttered (“Take from me your Hajj rites”) while in Muzdalifah, hence the importance of applying this order during Hajj. Thus, there is only one way of performing Hajj, and that is according to the Qur’an and Sunnah!
“It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger he has indeed strayed in a plain error. ”
Surah Al-Ahzab (33:36)
HAJJ AS AN OBLIGATION, TYPES OF HAJJ, WHO AND WHEN TO GO
“O Mankind! Fear your Lord and be dutiful to Him! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour (of Judgement) is a terrible thing. The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be the Torment of Allah. And among mankind is he who dispute concerning Allah, without knowledge, and follows every rebellious devil.”
Surah Al-Hajj (22:1-3)
Throughout your journey, reflect on these opening Ay’at in Surah Al-Hajj. It is clear reminder of what will happen on the Day of Judgement and also a reminder to those that dispute about Allah. Only from Ayah 27 onwards does Allah refer to the Hajj itself!
The Farewell Hajj (Hajjatul-Wadaa’) is known as such from the following narration:
Narrated Ibn “Umar: “At Mina, the Prophet (saw) said, ‘Do you know what is the day today?’ The people replied, ‘Allah and His Messenger know is better.’ He said, ‘It is the forbidden (sacred) day. And do you know what town is this?’ They replied, ‘Allah and His Messenger know is better.’ He said, ‘This is the forbidden (sacred) town (Makkah). And do you know which month is this?’ They replied, ‘Allah and His Messenger know is better.’ He said, ‘This is the forbidden (sacred) month’. The Prophet added, ‘No doubt, Allah made your blood, your properties, and your honour sacred to one another like the sanctity of this day of yours in this month of yours in this town of yours.’ Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: On the Day of Nahr (10th of Dhul-Hijjah), the Prophet stood in between the Jamr’at during his Hajj which he performed and said, ‘This is the greatest Day (i.e 10th of Dhul-Hijjah).’ The Prophet saw started saying repeatedly, ‘O Allah! Be witness farewell (I have conveyed Your Message). ‘He then bade the people farewell. The people said, “This is Hajjatul-Wadda”.”
(Bukhari: 1742)
Hajj, an Obligation
“Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for Mankind was that at Bakka (Makkah), full of blessing, and guidance for Al-Alamin (mankind and jinns). In it are manifest signs (for example) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraheem; whosoever enters it, he attains security. 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, then he is a disbeliever of Allah), the Allah stands not in need of any the Alamin (mankind and jinns).
Surah Al-Imran (3:96-97)
As we can see from the preceding Ay’at, Hajj is not only the fifth pillar of Islam, but it is an actual duty we owe unto Allah!
Who should go?
Allah does not wish to make things difficult for the Muslims. Apart from the duty being Fard (compulsory) only once in a lifetime, there are certain other conditions that have to be met for one to be ‘eligible’:
- To be a Muslim
- To have reached puberty
- To be of sound mind
- To be free (not a slave)
- To have the financial means*
- To possess the physical means**
- To have a Mahram (for women)
*One does not have to be debt free in order to be eligible. As long as arrangements are made for the payment of your debts during your absence, or in the event of your death.
** If your physical disablement is of permanent natures, and you have the money, then it is a advisable to send (deputies) somebody to perform the Hajj on your behalf.
When should one go?
One should expedite the performance of Hajj.
“It is reported on the authority of ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas that the Prophet saw said: ‘Expedite the performance of the duty of Hajj. For nobody knows what may obstruct one.’”
(Ibn Maja: 2883 & Ahmad: 1/214,225)
Once you have met all the listed conditions, it is important to perform your Fard Hajj as soon as possible. Many people tend to leave this obligation until much later in their life. It is so much easier and better if one undertakes this journey while one young and has the health and strength.
Resource from “Getting the Best out of Al-Hajj (Pilgrimage)”, by Abu Muneer Ismail Davids, Darussalam.
