Hajj In Light of Quran and Hadith

Definition of Hajj

Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with other tenets such as profession of faith (Shahada), Salah (prayer), fasting, and Zakat. It should be done once in a lifetime if the health and wealth allow for it. Hajj, from the Arabic verb, “Hajja” (Arabic: حَجَّ), means, “to exert effort,” or “to set out to a big place.” Hajj is "to travel to a specific location at a given time in order to undertake Islamic devotional rituals." specifically, the location refers to the Kaaba and locations such as Arafat, Mina, and Muzdalifah in and near Makkah. Hajj refers to numerous rites, such as Tawaf, Sa'i, and Rami al-Jamarat.

Obligation Of Hajj

Allah has made Hajj mandatory for Muslims who can afford its expenses. Its mandatory nature is similar to that of Namaz. A resourceful, wealthy and healthy person cannot skip it unless there is legitimate excuse for doing so. Allah says in Quran:

فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمَنْ دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ

In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.

[Surah Aal Imran, 3:97]

Majority of scholars have this consensus that Allah prescribed Hajj in the sixth year after Hijrah after the following Quranic verse was revealed:

وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ 

And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah.

[Surah al-Baqarah, 2:196]

On the other hand, some scholars suggest that Hajj was prescribed and made mandatory in ninth or tenth Hijarah. 

There are various accounts of Hadith about Hajj in Islamic tradition:

Abdullah ibn Abbas I narrates:

"A woman from the tribe of Khath’am came in the year (of Hajjat al-Wada of the Prophet ﷺ) and said: ‘O Allah’s Messenger ﷺ! My father has come under Allah’s obligation of performing Hajj, but he is a very old man and cannot sit properly on his mount. Will the obligation be fulfilled if I perform Hajj on his behalf?” The Prophet ﷺ replied in the affirmative."

Abdullah ibn Masud I narrates:

The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Alternate between Hajj and Umrah (regularly), for these two remove poverty and sins just as the blacksmith’s bellows removes all impurities from iron, gold and silver. There is no reward for an accepted Hajj (Hajj Mabrur) except Paradise.'

Amr ibn al-‘As I said:

When Allah instilled the love of Islam in my heart, I went to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘O Prophet of Allah! Stretch out your hand so that I may pledge my allegiance to you.’ The Prophet ﷺ stretched out his hand towards me, but I withdrew my hand. The Prophet ﷺ asked: ‘O Amr! What is the matter with you?’ I said: ‘I would like to stipulate a condition! ‘The Prophet ﷺ asked: ‘What is it?’ I said: ‘That all my past sins be forgiven!’ The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘O ‘Amr! Do you not know that Islam eradicates all past sins, and migration eradicates all sins, and (similarly) Hajj eradicates all past sins!’

READ ALSO: VIRTUES AND BENEFITS OF HAJJ

                    Conditions of Hajj

                    Social & Spiritual Benefits of Hajj 

                    History of Hajj  

                    Types of Hajj

References: 

References

↑1 Muslim, Hadith No. 1337; al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2619.

↑2 Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1853; al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2653.

↑3 Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1521, 1819 & 1820; al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2627; Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 2889.

↑4 al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 810; al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2630; Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 2887.

↑5 Muslim, Hadith No. 121.

↑6 Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1773; al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 933; al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2629.