Thursday, April 18, 2013

What is the meaning of Hajj and Order to Perform Hajj

The literal translation of Hajj is ‘to travel to’ and ‘to intend.’ Muslims travel to Makkah with the intention of seeing the Holy Ka’aba and that is why it is called Hajj.

In Islamic terminology, Hajj means to wear an Ehram and perform certain actions like Tawaf of the Ka’aba and be in certain places (‘Arafat etc) on certain days to perform specific worships.

Order to Perform Hajj

In relation to the obligatory nature of Hajj, Allah Almighty states in the Holy Qur’an:


“...and performing the Hajj (pilgrimage) of this house, for the sake of Allah, is a duty upon mankind...”(Surah Aal e Imran Verse 97)

The fact that Hajj is obligatory (Fard) is made clear by this verse and from it we can also see that one who denies this is an infidel and non-believer. The person who has the means but does not perform Hajj is a great sinner as is made evident in a Hadith narrated by Hazrat ‘Abdullah Ibne ‘Umar (RA) who states that RasoolAllah (S.A.W) said,


“The person who has the means but does not perform Hajj will have the word ‘Kaafir’ (infidel) written on his forehead on the day of Judgement.” (Tafseer Ibne Abi Haatim Vol 14 Page 68)
Hajj is compulsory only once in a lifetime for those who are able to afford it. After fulfilling the Fard Hajj a person can perform as many voluntary (Nafli) Pilgrimages as he likes.

Allama Jalaluddin Suyuti (R.A) narrates a Hadith in his book Durr al Mansoor that when this verse was revealed a person asked RasoolAllah (S.A.W) , “Is Hajj compulsory every year?”  Upon being asked this RasoolAllah (S.A.W) replied:


“By Him in Whose control is my life! If I were to say yes then it would be compulsory each year. And if it is compulsory each year then you will not be able to perform it and if you do not perform it then you will be ungrateful. Therefore do not ask questions unnecessarily because the people before you were destroyed on account of asking their Prophets unnecessary questions and creating divisions amongst themselves. When I give you the order to do anything, do it as much as you are able to and when I order you to stay away from anything then stay away from it.” (Durr al Mansoor Volume 2 Page 390)

Where this Hadith reinforces the fact that Hajj is compulsory once in a lifetime it also proves that Allah Almighty granted His Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) such authority that if he stated something was allowed (Halal) it would become allowed and if he forbade anything it would become forbidden (Haraam).




Post your Comments

#Islamic Calendar 2025 Events

Islamic 2025 Event Name English Date Islamic Date
Urs Haji Malang January 2, 2025 - Thursday 10 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446
Urs Haji Ali Baba Mumbai January 4, 2025 - Saturday 12 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446
721st Urs Sharif Of Hazrat Khwaja Syed Nizamuddin Aulia Mehboob-e-Elahi Rahmatullah Alayh January 7, 2025 - Tuesday 15 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446
Urs Khwaja Gharib Nawaz, Ajmer Sharif March 24, 2025 - Monday 22 Sha'ban 1446
Lailat al-Miraj (Shab-e-Meraj) January 27, 2025 - Monday 27 Rajab 1446
Shab-e-Barat February 14, 2025 - Friday 15 Sha'ban 1446
Start of Fasting Month (Ramadan) March 1, 2025 - Saturday 1 Ramadan 1446
Lailat al-Qadr (Shab-e-Qadr) March 27, 2025 - Thursday 27 Ramadan 1446
Jummat-ul-Wida March 28, 2025 - Friday 28 Ramadan 1446
Eid-ul-Fitr March 30, 2025 - Sunday 1 Shawwal 1446
#Hajj June 6, 2025 - Friday 9 Dhul-Hijjah 1446
Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) June 7, 2025 - Saturday 10 Dhul-Hijjah 1446
Islamic New Year July 28, 2025 - Monday 1 Muharram 1447
Yaum al-Ashura August 6, 2025 - Wednesday 10 Muharram 1447
Eid Milad-un-Nabi September 26, 2025 - Friday 12 Rabi-al-Awwal 1447