HAJJ IN LIGHT OF THE QURAN AND HADITH

Performing Hajj (provided one is financially and physically able) is obligatory for all Muslims. It is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam. Here are some Quran verses and hadiths related to the obligation of Hajj:

Quran

1. Pilgrimage to the House is a duty to God for anyone who is able to under-take it. Anyone who disbelieves should remember that God is independent of all creatures. (Quran 3:97)

2. The first House to be built for mankind was the one at Makkah. It is a blessed place; a source of guidance for the whole world. (Quran 3:96)

3. Call mankind to the Pilgrimage. They will come to you, on foot, and on every kind of lean camel, by every distant track, so that they may witness its benefit for them and, on the appointed days may utter the name of God over the cattle He has provided for them. Then eat their flesh, and feed the distressed and the needy — then let the pilgrims purify themselves and fulfil their vows and perform the circumambulation of the Ancient House. (Quran 22:27-29)

4. The pilgrimage is in the appointed months. Whoever intends to perform it during them must abstain from indecent speech, from all wicked conduct, and from quarrelling while on the pilgrimage. Whatever good you may do, God is aware of it. Make provision for yourselves—but surely, the best of all provision is God-consciousness. Always be mindful of Me, you that are endowed with understanding. (Quran 2:197)

Hadiths

1. The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him), “Islam is built upon five [pillars]: the testimony that there is no deity except God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, the establishment of prayer, the giving of Zakat, the pilgrimage to the House [Hajj], and the fasting of Ramadan.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith  No. 8; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 16)

2. “O people, God has made Hajj obligatory upon you, so perform Hajj.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 3236)

3. “Whoever performs Hajj for God’s sake, without engaging in obscenity or committing sin, he will return [after Hajj free from all sins] as if he were born anew.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1521; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1350)

4. “One Umrah to another is an expiation for what is between them, and an accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1773; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1349)

5. “A man asked the Prophet: ‘What is the best deed?’ He said, ‘Faith in God and His Messenger.’ The man asked: ‘Then what?’ He said, ‘Jihad in the way of God.’ The man asked: ‘Then what?’ He said, ‘A righteous Hajj.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 26; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 83)

6. “I heard Abu Huraira saying: The Messenger of God said: three kinds of per-son are delegates of God: the mujahid, the pilgrim performing Hajj, and the one performing Umrah.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2624)

7. “A man came to the Prophet and asked, ‘O Messenger of God, what makes Hajj obligatory?’ He replied, ‘(The ability to afford) the provision and means of transport.’” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 813)

8. “Whoever intends to perform Hajj should hasten to do so.” (Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith No. 1732)

9.  A man stood up and asked the Prophet, “Who is the true pilgrim, O Messenger of God?” He replied, “One who is disheveled and dusty.” Another man asked, “Which type of Hajj is best, O Messenger of God?” He replied, “The one with loud recitation and abundant sacrifice.” Then another man asked, “What is the way (to perform Hajj), O Messenger of God?” He replied, “(The ability to afford)  the provision and means of transport.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 3243)

10.“Whoever sets out as a pilgrim for Hajj, Umrah, or to strive in the path of God and passes away along the way, God will grant them the full reward of a pilgrim, one performing Umrah, and one striving in His cause.” (Shu’ab al-Iman by al-Bayhaqi, Hadith No. 3806)

11.  Aisha said: “I sought permission from the Prophet to participate in jihad. He replied, ‘Your jihad is Hajj.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2875)

12. Ibn Abbas said: “The people of Yemen used to perform Hajj without carrying provisions, saying, ‘We are those who rely on God alone.’ When they arrived in Makkah, they would beg from people. So God revealed: ‘And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (piety).” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1523)

13. “The circumambulation of the House, the Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and the stoning of the pillars have only been prescribed to establish the re-membrance of God, the Mighty and Majestic.” (Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi, Hadith No. 9646)

14. “Hajj is [obligatory] once; whoever does more, it is voluntary.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 2642)

15. Narrated by Aisha: “I asked, ‘O Messenger of God, is there any jihad upon women?’ He replied, ‘Yes, upon them is a jihad with no fighting in it: Hajj and Umrah.’” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 25322)

16. Narrated by Abdullah bin Abi Awfa, a Companion of the Prophet: “I asked him about a man who has not performed Hajj. Should he borrow for Hajj?” He replied, “No.” (Musnad al-Shafi’i, Hadith No. 745)

17. ‘When a man sets out for Hajj with pure provisions, and he places his foot in the stirrup (footrest), saying, “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk” (Here I am, O Allah, at Your service), a caller from the heavens calls out, “Labbayk and Sa’dayk (May you be joyous in response), your provision is lawful, your conveyance is lawful, and your Hajj is accepted, free from sin.” But when he sets out with impure provisions and places his foot in the stirrup, saying, “Labbayk,” a caller from the heavens calls out, “No Labbayk, no welcome. Your provisions are unlawful, your wealth is unlawful, and your Hajj is not accept-ed.”’ (Al-Mu’jam al-Awsat by Al-Tabarani, Hadith No. 5228)

18. “O Allah, we ask You for piety and righteousness on this journey, and such deeds that are pleasing to You. O Allah, You are the Companion in the journey and the Guardian of the family.” (Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi, Hadith No. 10316)

19. “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily, all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1549; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1184)

20. “O Allah, make this Hajj an accepted one, and a means of forgiveness for my sins.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 4061)