The excellence of Hajj

Obligation:

Chapter on the obligation of Hajj and its virtue.

Allah says: "And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allâh, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allâh], then Allâh stands not in need of any of the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)." [Surat Al `Imran: 97].

* Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): 1- To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Messenger. 2- To offer the (compulsory congregational) Salah dutifully and perfectly. 3- To pay Zakah (i.e. obligatory charity). 4- To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Makkah) 5- To observe fast during the month of Ramadan." [Sahih Al Bukhari].

Its virtue:

It is one of the best deeds: Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked: "What is the best deed? He said: To believe in Allah and His Messenger. He was then asked: Which is the next (in goodness)? He said: To participate in Jihad in Allah's Cause. He was then asked: Which is the next? He said: To perform Hajj-Mabrur (accepted Hajj)." [Sahih Al Bukhari].

* It is a type of Jihad (fighting): `A'ishah bint Talhah narrated that `A'ishah, the mother of the faithful believers, (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "O Allah's Messenger! We consider Jihad as the best deed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The best Jihad (for women) is Hajj Mabrur (accepted Hajj)." [Sahih Al Bukhari].

* `A'ishah bint Talhah narrated that `A'ishah, the mother of the faithful believers, said: "I said: O Allah's Messenger! Should not we participate in battles and Jihad along with you? He replied: The best and the most superior Jihad (for women) is Hajj which is accepted by Allah. `A'ishah added: Ever since I heard that from Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) I have determined not to miss Hajj." [Sahih Al Bukhari].

* It is an expiation from sins: Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew." [Sahih Al Bukhari].

* `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Make the Hajj and `Umrah follow each other closely, because they remove poverty and sins like a blacksmith's bellows remove impurities from iron, gold, and silver. And the reward for Hajj Mabrur (one which is accepted) is no less than Paradise." [Reported by At-Tirmidhy].

* The meaning of accepted Hajj is the Hajj which is not mixed by sin, and it also was said: It is the Hajj which its pillars are performed perfectly.

* "The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islâmic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihrâm), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj." [Surat Al Baqarah: 197].

* Sincerity: A man said to Ibn `Umar: How many are the pilgrims! Ibn `Umar said: How few are they. Shurayh said: Pilgrims are few, riders are many, and many are those who do goodness, but how few are those who do it for the sake of Allah.

* It takes place in the best days.

* The presence of the Day of `Arafah in which Allah boasts of pilgrims before His Angels because of the Hadith of `A'ishah which is reported in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There is no day on which Allah sets free more slaves from Hell than He does on the Day of `Arafah. He draws near then boasts of them before His Angels saying: What do these people want!"[1] In another narration of Imam Ahmad: "Look at My Servants who came to me unkempt and full of dust."[2]

* Achieving benefits.