Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 233
The Obligation of Hajj (Pilgrimage) and its Excellence
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka`bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e., denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the `Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).” (3:97)
1271. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “(The superstructure of) Islam is based on five (pillars), testifying the fact that La ilaha illallah wa anna Muhammad-ar-Rasul-ullah [there is no true god except Allah, and Muhammad ((sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)) is the Messenger of Allah], establishing As-Salat (the prayers), paying Zakat (poor due), the pilgrimage to the House [of Allah (Ka`bah)], and the Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].1272. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) delivered a Khutbah and said, “O people! Hajj (pilgrimage to the House of Allah) has been made incumbent upon you, so perform Hajj.” A man inquired: “O Messenger of Allah, is it prescribed every year?” He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) remained silent till the man repeated it thrice. Then he (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Had I replied in the affirmative, it would have surely become obligatory, and you would not have been able to fulfill it.” Afterwards he said, “Do not ask me so long as I do not impose anything upon you, because those who were before you were destroyed on account of their frequent questioning and their disagreement with their Prophets. So when I order you to do something, do it as far as you can; and when I forbid you from doing anything, eschew it.”
[Muslim].1273. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was asked: “Which deed is the best?” He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Faith in Allah and His Messenger.” Then he was asked: “What is next?” He replied, “Jihad (holy fighting) in the Cause of Allah.” Then he was asked, “What is after that?” He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Hajj Mabrur (an accepted pilgrimage).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].1274. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever performs Hajj (pilgrimage) and does not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commits sin, nor disputes unjustly (during Hajj), then he returns from Hajj as pure and free from sins as on the day on which his mother gave birth to him.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].1275. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “(The performance of) `Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous `Umrah; and the reward of Hajj Mabrur (i.e., one accepted) is nothing but Jannah.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].1276. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I said: “O Messenger of Allah! We consider Jihad as the best deed, should we not then go for Jihad?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best Jihad for you women is Hajj Mabrur (i.e., one accepted by Allah).”
[Al-Bukhari].1277. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “There is no day on which Allah sets free more slaves from Hell than He does on the Day of `Arafah.”
[Muslim].1278. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “(The performance of) `Umrah during Ramadan is equal to Hajj (pilgrimage).” Or said, “Equal to the performance of Hajj with me.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].1279. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and said, “Allah’s obligation upon His slaves has become obligatory on my father in his old age. My father is very old and incapable of riding. May I perform Hajj on his behalf?” He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Yes.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].1280. Laqit bin `Amir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I came to the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and said: “My father is a very old man and does not have strength to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) or `Umrah or to undertake the journey.” The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Perform Hajj and `Umrah on behalf of your father.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].1281. As-Sai’b bin Yazid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was seven years old when I was taken to perform Hajj (pilgrimage). This was during the time the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) performed the Hajjat-ul-Wada` (Farewell Pilgrimage).
[Al-Bukhari].1282. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) came across a caravan at Ar-Rauha’ and asked who the people in the caravan were. They replied that they were Muslims. They asked: “Who are you?” He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “I am the Messenger of Allah.” Then a woman lifted up a boy to him and asked: “Would this child be credited with having performed the Hajj (pilgrimage)?” Whereupon he (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Yes, and you will have a reward.”
[Muslim].1283. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) performed the pilgrimage on an unsaddled camel which also carried his provisions (i.e., his Zamilah).
[Al-Bukhari].1284. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Ukaz, Mijannah and Dhul-Majaz were markets during the pre-Islamic period. The Companions disliked trading there till the following Ayat of the Noble Qur’an were revealed: “There is no sin on you if you seek the Bounty of your Rubb (during pilgrimage by trading)…” (2:198)
[Al-Bukhari].