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WHAT IS
HAJJ
The term
‘Hajj’ means the rendering of certain auspicious rites, accompanied by
performing prescribed acts during certain months. These are Shawwal,
Zul-Qada and the first ten days of Zul-Hajj. Hajj becomes obligatory on a
person once in a lifetime, when the following eight conditions are present:
1. One must
be a Muslim.
2. Sane.
3. Mature.
4. Freedom.
5. Hajj can
only be performed during the months of Hajj.
6. A person
must be able to secure provisions for the journey even though it may suffice
only for a modest stay in Makkah only. He should also have enough means for
his personal expenses, as well as his family’s expenses (which they would
incur during his absence), and necessary assets such as shelter, furniture,
instruments of trade etc. In other words Hajj will be incumbent on a person
only if he has the financial means over and above these.
7. The
ability to secure adequate transport which may be owned by the person, or
rented. To be allowed the use of another’s transport or borrowing the same
will not make Hajj obligatory on one. This will apply to those who do not
reside in Makkah or its surrounding regions, if they are easily able to
undertake the journey by foot. If such a person cannot walk, it will be
necessary for him to acquire adequate transport.
8. One living
in a non-Islamic state has to know that Hajj if Farz. Living in an Islamic
state automatically makes this knowledge obligatory because one cannot claim
ignorance, as the former may.
Besides these
eight pre-requisites, one has to posses the following as well:
1. Sound
physical health.
2. Absence of
any physical hindrances.
3. A secure
passage to Makkah.
4. Expiry of
a woman’s Iddat.
5. For a
woman the company of a Mahram, (i.e. a male relative to whom marriage is
forbidden) is essential. The Mahram male has to trustworthy, san and mature
Muslim. The primary concern in any land or sea voyage is the woman’s safety.
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![Visiting Rasoolullah [peace be upon him]](buttonF10.jpg){kind=small}
