Hajj 2017 (Arabic: ٢٠١٥ الحج‎) an Islamic pilgrimage and stands at fifth place in the Islamic articles of faith conducted annually in Mecca. Hajj is obligatory for Muslims whom fulfill the criteria of wealth, health and age. Each year about 3 million people perform hajj and its rituals according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad SAW (سيدنا محمد صلی اللہ علیہ و آلہ و سلم)


This year about 143,000 hujjaj will perform hajj from Pakistan on 10th of Zilhajj 1436. By the grace of Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala here we are able to compile some facts from Quran and other sources of Islamic laws which indicates the importance and obligatory status of Hajj in Islam. May Allah Subhana wa Ta’ala able us to perceive follow and understand the truth. Allah Exalted has made the Hajj obligatory for his Slaves who can afford it and also meet the criteria of health and age.

 

وَلِلّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ ال'بَي'تِ مَنِ اس'تَطَاعَ إِلَي'هِ سَبِيلاً وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ الله غَنِيٌّ عَنِ ال'عَالَمِينَ

".....And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who can find a way thither. As for him who disbelieveth, (let him know that) lo! Allah is Independent of (all) creatures.." (3:97)

The status of hajj in the Islam can also be proved from the Hadith collections of Bukhari and Muslim. On the authority of Umar رضئ الله عنه that Muhammad SAW (سيدنا محمد صلی اللہ علیہ و آلہ و سلم) said:

بُنِيَ ال�'إِس�'لَامُ عَلَى خَم�'سٍ عَلَى أَن�' يُع�'بَدَ اللَّهُ وَيُك�'فَرَ بِمَا دُونَهُ وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ وَحَجِّ ال�'بَي�'تِ وَصَو�'مِ رَمَضَانَ

Islam has been built on these Five Pillars:

• Attest that no God exist other than ALLAH and also Muhammad (محمد صلی اللہ علیہ Ùˆ آلہ Ùˆ سلم) is Messenger of Allah.

• Offer all obligatory Prayers

• Give Zakah

• Observe Fasting in Ramadan

• Making Pilgrimage to Mecca to offer Hajj

it is narrated by sa'id on the authority of Umar رضئ الله عنه that Prophet said;

 

لقد هممت ان ابعث رجالا الئ هزه الامصار، فينظرؤ ا كل من كان له جدة ؤلم يحج، ليضربؤا عليهم الجزية، ماهم بمسلمين، ماهم بمسلمين

"Certainly, I am interested to direct my men to these areas to find the people who do not perform hajj, tho' they can afford it, so that i can impose JIZYAH on them. Those people are not Muslims, they are Non-Muslims."

Hazrat Ali رضئ الله عنه reported:

"A person who does not perform hajj tho' he is able to afford it, it is not a matter of deal that if he die as a Christian or Jew."

A quranic verse which is referenced below, shows the obligatory status of Hajj on Muslims community who can afford it and also fulfill other criterion which are binding for Hujjaj.


وَلِلّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ ال'بَي'تِ مَنِ اس'تَطَاعَ إِلَي'هِ سَبِيلاً وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ الله غَنِيٌّ عَنِ ال'عَالَمِينَ

".....And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who can find a way thither. As for him who disbelieveth, (let him know that) lo! Allah is Independent of (all) creatures.." (3:97)

The pilgrim should start his journey to hajj with a real and deep remorse for your past Sins. A sincere repentance can only be said as a real one if and only if one feels remorse for his past sins and will strongly to not repeat those things again in future.

During the journey the objective should be to seek the divine pleasure. You should try to get closeness to ALLAH with the help you your deeds and words when you are at the sacred place, these things help you to please Allah. The pilgrim while starting his journey should not have a motive of pride, seeking fame, OR hypocrisy for doing his hajj these objectives may lead to rejection of your hajj.

Allah Says in Quran:

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ال�'حَيَاةَ الدُّن�'يَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَي�'هِم�' أَع�'مَالَهُم�' فِيهَا وَهُم�' فِيهَا لَا يُب�'خَسُونَ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَي�'سَ لَهُم�' فِي ال�'آخِرَةِ إِلَّا النَّارُ ۖ وَحَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُوا فِيهَا وَبَاطِلٌ مَّا كَانُوا يَع�'مَلُونَ


....."Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments - We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein will not be deprived. Those are the ones for whom there is not in the Hereafter but the Fire. And lost is what they did therein, and worthless is what they used to do..." [11:15, 16]

The pilgrim while starting his journey should completely learn all of the things which are relevant to Hajj or Umrah, and when he sets up his journey the pilgrim should choose the company of pious and righteous people who have good knowledge and in depth understanding of Ihkam-e-Sharah related to Hajj journey, Hajj Rituals and other related matters. You also should avoid the company of ignorant people and don't waste your time in gossips, be sticked with your prayers and other supplications.

Last Updated: 21/7/2017