When Hajj becomes Fardh?

The pilgrimage of Hajj finds exceptional spiritual and religious significance in the Islamic faith. It’s something that has been in practice from the time of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and will remain till the end of time. Allah Almighty has made Hajj pilgrimage Fardh (obligatory) as the fifth pillar of Islam for every Muslim at least once in its lifetime. That’s why every year hundreds of thousands of Muslims travel through their Umrah packages 2022 and arrive in Makkah for the holy rituals.

Since Hajj is an annual pilgrimage; its rituals officially commence on the 8th of Dhu-al-Hijjah and last till the 12th of Dhu-al-Hijjah.

The obligation of Hajj.

Hajj pilgrimage also remains referred to as the ‘Major Pilgrimage’ or the ‘Obligatory Pilgrimage’ because of obvious reasons. Allah Almighty has mentioned the obligation of Hajj for a believer in the Holy Quran as well. However, it’s an obligation for those Muslims only who can afford it physically, financially as well as mentally. If all of these conditions satisfy, hajj is necessary to be performed by such a person (once in a lifetime).

The Hajj pilgrimage obliges a pilgrim to perform a variety of rituals while traveling to a lot of different places, as per the sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAWW). Thus, a pilgrim intending for hajj must be physically, emotionally, as well as financially ready for it.

When Hajj becomes Fardh for a person? Here’s a brief description.

1. Being a believer of the Islamic faith; Muslim.

The first and undoubtedly the most important requirement for the hajj obligation is that the pilgrim must have embraced Islam i.e., to be a Muslim.

A non-Muslim is not even allowed to enter the cities of Makkah and Madinah, let alone perform the holy rituals there (Hajj is an Ibadah of Islamic faith). In fact, if a pilgrim traveling from abroad has a non-Muslim name; he/she would be required to submit the proof (a Shahadah certificate) issued by the local Islamic center at the time of hajj visa application i.e., confirming that the applicant is a Muslim.

2. Affording Hajj travel.

Among the many requisites of Hajj travel, a Muslim is only obliged to observe the holy rituals if;

• He can easily afford all of its hajj travel expenses. It includes everything from reaching the sacred city of Makkah to returning home safely i.e., paying for all of its expenses in terms of travel and flights, hotel accommodation, documentation, transportation, eating, shopping, clothing and other possible expenditures throughout its trip.
• If the person intending for Hajj has a family and they are not accompanying him for the hajj trip, then it’s also necessary for him to provide sufficient provisions for his family to compensate for all of their living expenses i.e., for the time he would be away for hajj rituals.

If these two conditions are fulfilled, then a person is regarded as financially capable of performing hajj.

3. Physical and mental capability.

Last but not the least, one must have to be physically capable to perform the hajj rituals by himself i.e., there are no health risks posed for him in traveling for a hajj pilgrimage. In addition, the person has to be accountable; of sound mind and appropriate age to understand why they are performing Hajj, its significance and sanctity.

These are the fundamental conditions that if they satisfy, hajj becomes Fardh.