The collections of Hadith related to Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, are too voluminous for any single report. This article is, therefore, a compilation of ten hadith about Hajj. The annual pilgrimage is a devotional journey that is undertaken to visit (Ziarat) the House of God (Kaaba). One of the aims will be to capture the reader’s imagination and interest by highlighting some of Hajj’s most salient features.
Hadith about Hajj, the 5th pillar of Islam
In a Sahih Hadith found in Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet (PBUH) said that the five pillars, which are the Shahadah (testimony of faith), Salah, Zakat, Hajj, and fasting. This is the opener from amongst the ten hadith about Hajj. It illustrates that traveling to the holy city of Mecca to perform pilgrimage is an obligation on every adult Muslim. That is to say, those who have the health and resources should perform Hajj once in their lifetime.
Islam is like a building that rests on five pillars, a structure that would soon collapse unless all its pillars were kept standing upright. Every Hajji (pilgrim) who answers Allah’s call, fulfilling his duty to Him, preserves the foundation of his faith.
Hadith: Avoid delaying the annual pilgrimage
In a Hadith in Abu Dawood, the Prophet (PBUH) said that one who wishes to make the pilgrimage should hurry to perform it, as he could suffer a sudden sickness or encounter some other obstacle.
Every Muslim who is physically and financially able should pray that Allah expedites his journey to perform Hajj. And once invited, he should not procrastinate, lest something unexpected happens, and his plans fail. The Hadith warns us against squandering away our good fortune by delaying tactics. A Muslim is one who hastens to perform good deeds.
Hadith: The Talbiyah, a Muslim’s answer to Allah’s call
In a Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet (PBUH) instructed his companions to assume Ihram for Umrah instead of Hajj when they arrived in Makkah on the 4th of Dhul Hijjah. This exception applied only to those with sacrificial animals.
The Hadith highlights Hajj as a symbol of equality and unity among Muslims. It depicts the pilgrimage as a moment where everyone, regardless of status or race, responds with: “Lab bayka Allahumma lab bayk,” acknowledging Allah’s sole sovereignty and their servitude.
The Hadith underscores that Hajj and Umrah require sincere intention (niyyah). It also mentions the need to wear Ihram at the Miqat. Additionally, it emphasizes the requirement for pilgrims to offer a Hadi (animal sacrifice) as a gesture of gratitude.
Hadith: Abstinence during the performance of Hajj and Umrah
According to a Hadith in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (PBUH) said that one who performs Hajj for Allah’s sake, abstains from sexual relations with his spouse, avoids sin, and doesn’t dispute unfairly at Hajj, will emerge like a newborn baby.
This Hadith comes as a welcome conditional guarantee! Every sincere Hajji who, during Hajj, abstains from marital sexual relations, sins, and injustice when disputing, is promised absolute forgiveness. He would return home, as sinless as a new-born baby. Only a fool would leave his family behind, spend a fortune to earn Allah’s pleasure, and then waste it. Excellence in the performance of one’s duties involves both self-restraint and proper observance of rites.
Hadith about Hajj and Circumambulation (Tawaf), offering a two Rakat prayer at Maqaam-e-Ibrahim, and the performance of Sa’i between Safa and Marwa
In a Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Ibn ‘Umar narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) arrived in Makkah, performed Tawaf around the Kaaba seven times, and prayed two rakats behind Maqam-e-Ibrahim. He then proceeded to Safa.
This Hadith is one of the most detailed accounts of Hajj. It records the only Hajj performed by the Prophet (PBUH), who is our divine role model. The Hadith shows that Tawaf involves seven rounds around the Kaaba and that pilgrims should pray two rakats at Maqam-e-Ibrahim, the spot where Ibrahim (PBUH) stood while building the Kaaba.
The mention of Safa highlights the sacrifices of Ibrahim (PBUH) and his family. It recalls Hajra’s (Haajar’s) desperate search for water between Safa and Marwa after being left with her infant son Ismail (PBUH). Her prayers led to the miracle of Zamzam water.
Hadith: Hajr-e-Aswad, the Black Stone. Umar’s remark
In Sahih Bukhari, it is narrated that ‘Umar came to the Black Stone and kissed it, then stated that it was a stone that could neither benefit nor harm anyone. He said he only kissed it because he saw the Prophet (PBUH) doing so.
Hajr-e-Aswad is a black, oval stone mounted in a silver frame. During Tawaf, pilgrims may kiss, touch, or simply point towards it. In this Hadith, Umra (R.A) is denying the possibility of any reverential significance being attached to it. On the contrary, he makes it abundantly clear that he would have never kissed it had he not seen the Prophet (PBUH) do so.
Hadith about Hajj, the equivalent of a ‘beautiful’ jihad for womenfolk
In Sahih Bukhari, when Ayesha (R.A) asked Muhammad (PBUH) if women can also join campaigns and wage Jihad, the Prophet (PBUH) said that the supreme and most beautiful of Jihad is a Hajj that is accepted.
It was also reported by Ayesha (R.A), that she never stopped going for Hajj after she heard this prophetic glad-tiding. This piece of information also testifies to Allah’s flawless wisdom and justice. Not wanting to deprive women of the reward of Jihad, Hajj was declared its equal. Praise be to Allah.
Hadith: The Pilgrim (Hajji) is considered to be Allah’s guest
In An-Nasai, the Prophet (PBUH) stated that Allah’s three guests are the Ghazi, the Hajji (one who performs pilgrimage), and the performer of Umrah.
For a pilgrim to be named alongside someone who fights for Allah’s cause, and one who performs Umrah is indeed an honor. Yet to be addressed as Allah’s guest, is an overwhelming privilege beyond compare.
Hadith: The permission to perform Hajj-e-Badal granted to one who has completed his own Hajj
In At-Tirmidhi, a woman asked the Prophet (PBUH) if she should perform Hajj on behalf of her deceased mother, who had not completed the pilgrimage while alive. The Prophet (PBUH) affirmed this request.
This Hadith teaches that if someone has already completed their own Hajj, they can perform Hajj-e-Badal (substitute Hajj) for someone else, whether that person is alive or deceased.
Hadith: Hajj-e-Mabrur merits a reward no less than Heaven
In Ibn Majah, the Prophet (PBUH) stated that an accepted pilgrimage results in nothing less than the reward of Paradise.
How befittingly, does this concluding Hadith about Hajj, carry the assurance of Paradise to every single pilgrim, whose Hajj is accepted.
How To Perform Hajj
Upon arriving at the Holy Mosque in Makkah, enter Ihram and start your Hajj with Tawaf and Sa’i. For Tawaf, walk around the Kaabah seven times anti-clockwise, then pray. Perform Sa’i by walking and running seven times between Safa and Marwa.
On the 8th of Zil Hajj, put on Ihram again and head to Mina with other pilgrims. Stay in a tent and pray all five daily prayers, shortening the four-rakat prayers to two. After Fajr on the 9th of Zil Hajj, move to the plains of Arafah. Spending the day there is a key part of Hajj.
At Arafah, seek Allah’s forgiveness and make dua, combining the Zuhr and Asr prayers as instructed. This day marks the completion of Islam’s religion according to Allah. Following Arafah, head to Muzdalifah to pray and collect pebbles for the Jamarat.
On the 10th of Zil Hajj, sacrifice your animal and throw pebbles at the Jamarat (symbolic rejection of the devil). Men should shave their heads, and women can trim their hair. You can then exit Ihram. Return to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifaadah and Sa’i.
Over the next two days, stone the Jamarat again. Finally, complete your Hajj with Tawaf al-Wida (Farewell Tawaf) before departing Makkah.
