The obligation of Hajj

Dear Islamic brothers, Hajj is a foundational pillar from the pillars of Islam, and an important act of worship. Allah Almighty has made it fard upon those who have the means. So, those who are negligent of fulfilling it despite it being fard are major sinners and worthy of Hell. Allah Almighty states in part 4, Surah Aal-Imran, verse 97:

وَ لِلّٰہِ عَلَی النَّاسِ حِجُّ الۡبَیۡتِ مَنِ اسۡتَطَاعَ اِلَیۡہِ سَبِیۡلًا ؕ وَ مَنۡ  کَفَرَ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ غَنِیٌّ عَنِ  الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ )۹۷(

“And performing Hajj of this House, for the sake of Allah, is (an obligation) upon the people, who have the means to reach it. And whoever disbelieves (i.e. denies Hajj being a pillar of Islam), so Allah is Independent of the entire world.”^[1]

In commentary of this verse, it is stated in Khazāin-ul-‘Irfān:

In this verse, there is mention of the obligation of Hajj, and its condition is that one has the means. In the Hadith, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم   has explained this to mean provisions for the journey and transport, i.e., one should have enough food and water that will suffice him for the journey there and back, and this is besides the upkeep for his family and dependants. It is also necessary that the path be safe, for having the means is not established without this. This also makes apparent the displeasure of Allah Almighty for the rejectors, and it also establishes that the one who denies a fard qat’i (definitive fard) is a disbeliever.

The definition of Hajj