Is Hajj Mandatory in Islam:Millions of Muslims perform hajj every year from all around the world. Muslims gather at the Haram Mosque, located in the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia to perform hajj. Hajj is also the fifth important pillar of Islam. The question that comes in everybody’s mind that, is hajj mandatory in Islam for muslims? Well in todays article we will answer this question for you.
Is Hajj Mandatory in Islam?
Yes, hajj is mandatory for capable muslims in Islam. Allah has made hajj fard (compulsory) for the capable muslims who can afford to do it. If Allah SWT has blessed you with all the necessities in life, then hajj is obligatory for you. Any muslim who is financially capable of doing hajj, then it mandatory upon him.
How was Hajj Started?
The story of hajj began at the time of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic), when Allah SWT ordered him to move to the barren lands of Makkah, along with his wife Hajar and son Ismail. So Prophet Abraham did hijrah to Makkah as per commanded by Allah SWT.
When the wife of Prophet Abraham, Hajar asked him why was he leaving her and their son to the barren lands of Makkah, where they barely had anything to eat or drink. Then she asked Prophet Abraham, did Allah SWT ordered him to do so? To which Prophet Abraham replied, yes!
Upon hearing this, Hajar was relieved and showed great faith in Allah SWT, that they would not be left alone by Allah SWT. Later when Ismail was thirsty, Hajar reached out between the two mountains called Safa and Marwa. There she searched for sustenance by engaging in seven rounds between those mountains.
There was nothing available into those barren lands but, all she had endless faith in Allah SWT that he will surely provide for them. On the other hand Ismail was repeatedly crying out of thirst. Then Allah SWT sent Angel Jibreel between those two mountains in order to help Hajar and Ismail.
Hajar noticed that Ismail was continuously kicking his ankle in the ground, out of result the water starts appearing from the ground and till today water has never stopped. Today this water is well known as Zam-Zam.
Sacrifice of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim)
One night Prophet Abraham saw a dream of sacrificing his son Ismail. Upon waking up from this fearful dream he told his son about what he saw. Prophet Abraham was speechless and surprised by this incident but, Ismail bravely showing his faith in Allah SWT, said to his father to do what he saw in the dream.
And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, “O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.” He said, “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.” Quran (As-Saffat 102) – english translation by Saheeh International.
Thereafter, when he (the boy) reached an age in which he could work with him, he (Ibrahim) said, “O my little son, I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you, so consider, what is your opinion?” He said, “O my dear father, do what you have been ordered to do. You will find me, inshaallah , (if Allah wills) one of those who endure patiently.” Quran (As-Saffat 102) – english translation by Mufti Taqi Usmani.
Here the father was ready to sacrifice his son as commanded by Allah SWT. On the other hand the son was ready to be sacrificed in the cause of Allah SWT. This showed their unimaginable faith in Allah SWT. Right before sacrificing his son Ismail, Prophet Abraham tided his eyes with a piece of cloth, so that he cannot see the final painful moments of his son.
Then he sacrificed his son in the cause of Allah SWT. Later when he removed the piece of cloth from his eyes, Prophet Abraham saw that a sheep has been sacrificed there, not his son Ismail. Yes! it was a test of Prophet Abraham from Allah SWT. Allah replaced Ismail with a sheep, right before the final movements of sacrifice.
Indeed Allah SWT only test his beloved servants. This test was unquestionably the hardest test for any father. No doubt the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham is one of the biggest sacrifice in the history of humankind. Later Allah SWT ordered Prophet Abraham along with his son Ismail to build the first house of worship “Kaba” and perform hajj. Allah SWT also commanded him to invite more believers to the house of Allah to perform hajj.
Hajj is the Fifth Pillar of Islam
There are five pillars of Islam and hajj is the fifth pillar. Any muslim who is capable enough to perform hajj but chooses not to, then he has disobeyed a big commandment of Allah SWT. If he is financially stable and strong then he must perform hajj. Hajj is only performed once in a lifetime but, people can go to umrah multiple times.
The Pillars of Islam are as follows:
- Shahada (to believe there is none worthy of worship but Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last and final messenger of Allah.
- Salah (daily five obligatory prayers)
- Zakat (charity)
- Sawm (fasting in Ramadan)
- Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)
Hajj is Exclusive for Muslims
Hajj is exclusive for muslims. Yes! you heard it right. Any person who is not muslim cannot visit Makkah for hajj. In Islam it is the most sacred and holy place for muslims and those who are believe in the religion of Islam, those who believe in the oneness of Allah SWT, those who believe in all the prophets sent by Allah SWT, those who believe Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last and final messenger of Allah and those who believe in the day of judgement are the true believers.
These are the believers who are allowed to hajj and these believers are known as Muslims. Any non muslim who wants to perform hajj then Allah SWT has created a way for him. They can take the shahada willingly and then no one will stop them from performing hajj.
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