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Hajj From the Sunnah (Traditions of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)
Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Ka'bah) is reported in innumerable Ahadith (Sayings of
Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), only a few of them are listed below.
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم established Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Ka'bah) as one of the traditional Five Pillars of Islam.
Narrated Ibn 'Umar رضي الله عنه: Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم 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 Apostle.
2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity) .
4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Makkah)
5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.
Bukhari,
Book 2, Hadith 7 |
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم listed Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Ka'bah) among the best deeds a Muslim can do.
Narrated Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه : Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked, "What is the best deed?" He replied, "To believe in Allah and His Apostle
(Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ). The questioner then asked, "What is the next (in goodness)? He replied, "To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah's Cause." The questioner again asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" He replied, "To perform Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah) Mubrur, (which is accepted by Allah and is performed with the intention of seeking Allah's pleasure only and not to show off and without committing a sin and in accordance with the traditions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم )."
Bukhari,
Book 2, Hadith 25 |
Narrated Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه: Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Whoever performs Hajj to this House (Ka‘bah ) and does not approach his wife for sexual relations nor commits sins (while performing Hajj), he will come out as sinless as a newly-born child (just delivered by his mother)."
Bukhari, Book 3, Hadith 45 |
Many Muslims misunderstand the meanings of the above mentioned Hadith (Saying of
Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and take it as an open permit to commit all sort of sins before going to Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Ka'bah) and expiate all their sins.
They would come back from to continue with their lifestyle and would go back to Hajj (Plgrimage to the Ka'bah) to 'wash away' their sins once again.
This concept is actually taken from Hinduism, where they believe that one can wash away all their sins by taking a dip in the Ganges river.
Allah (God) responds to and accepts only sincere repentance - rule of thumb being that the sin for which repentance is sought is not to be repeated again.
Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Ka'bah) is a Fard (Compulsory) only for those who can afford it - meaning the rich Muslims. A group of poor Muslims asked the Messenger of Allah,
Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلمwhether the poor will be deprived of Pleasures of Allah because of their poverty.
Narrated Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه: Some poor people came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and said, "The wealthy people will get higher grades and will have permanent enjoyment and they pray like us and fast as we do. They have more money by which they perform the Hajj, and 'Umrah; fight and struggle in Allah's Cause and give in charity." The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Shall I not tell you a thing upon which if you acted you would catch up with those who have surpassed you? Nobody would overtake you and you would be better than the people amongst whom you live except those who would do the same. Say "Subhan-Allah", "Alhamdu-lillah" and "Allahu Akbar" thirty three times each after every (compulsory) prayer." We differed and some of us said that we should say, "Subhan-Allah" thirty three times and "Alhamdu-lillah" thirty three times and "Allahu Akbar" thirty four times. I went to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم who said, "Say, "Subhan-Allah" and "Alhamdu-lillah" and "Allahu Akbar" all together for thirty three times."
Bukhari,
Book 12, Hadith 804 |
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