Hajj pilgrimage possesses great significance for Muslims because it remains the fifth of the Islamic faith. For a believer, performing the hajj has great rewards; one of the best deeds. That’s why millions of Muslims travel all-round the year with hajj price for the performance of holy rituals in Makkah. Hajj rituals commence on the 8th of Dhu-al-Hijjah and last till the 12th. For which, hajj performance can be opted for by a Muslim once every year.
Obligatory Pilgrimage or not?
One must know that Hajj is also referred to as the ‘Major/Obligatory Pilgrimage’. The reason being its obligation for Muslims as the fifth pillar of Islam but only when the person possesses the physical as well as the financial means to afford it. For such Muslims, hajj is necessary to be performed at least once in their lifetime, evident from the sunnah of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW).
The performance of Hajj includes a variety of rituals to be completed. Pilgrims travel to different places and offer their rites there, as per the sunnah. Thus, a pilgrim intending for hajj must be physically, emotionally, and financially ready for it.
Here are a few things to know about the obligation of hajj.
1. Being a Muslim.
The first and the most important requirement for the hajj obligation is that the pilgrim must have to be a Muslim i.e., should’ve embraced Islam. A non-Muslim is not allowed to enter the cities of Makkah and Madinah, let alone performing the holy rituals. In fact, for a Muslim who is traveling from a foreign country and has a non-Islamic name, he/she would be required to submit the proof i.e., a Shahadah certificate issued by his/her local Islamic center at the time of hajj visa application. Therefore, in order to perform umrah one must have embraced Islam.
2. Being able to sponsor your Hajj travel.
Among the many requisites of Hajj travel, a Muslim is considered to be able to perform Hajj only if;
• He/she can easily afford all of its expenses i.e., from reaching the sacred city of Makkah to returning home safely. This means must have sufficient means to pay for all of its travel, accommodation, eating, documentations, transportation, flights, and clothing expenditures throughout its trip.
• If the person is going for hajj alone i.e., his family is not accompanying him along then it’s also necessary for him to provide sufficient provisions for his family to support their living expenses (for the time period he would be away for hajj rituals).
3. Accountability.
Last but not the least, one must have to be accountable for performing Hajj rituals. In simple words, they have to be of appropriate age to understand why they are performing Hajj; the significance it holds; conditions to abide by and its benefits as well.
These are some of the basic conditions that need to be fulfilled to make hajj obligatory for a person.
