The fifth pillar of Islam is Making Hajj (Pilgrimage) to Makkah.
Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:
وَ هِ للَِّ عَلَى النهاسِ حِجُّ الْبَ يْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلاً وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِ ه ن ا ه للََّ غَنٌِِّ عَنِ الْعَال مِيَ
( آل عمران: 97 )
Meaning in English:
Pilgrimage to the house is a duty mankind owes to Allah, those who are able to make the journey; but if they deny faith, Allah is not in need of any of his creations)
[Surah Ala-Imran (3):97]
The Meaning Behind Hajj
▪ Aisha reported that the prophet (SAW) said:
إنَّا جعل الطواف بالبيت وبي الصفا والمروة ورمي الجمار لإقامة ذكر الله
(رواه احَد، ابو داود والترمذي )
Meaning in English:
The Tawaff of the house (ka’bah) and (the sa’iy) between safa and marwah and the throwing of the jamarat was set up for the remembrance of allah.” (collected by ahmad, abu-dawood & at-tirmidhi)
Merits of Hajj
Abu-Hurayrah reported that the messenger of Allah (SWT) said:
من حج لله فلم يرفث ولم يفسق رجع كيوم ولدته أمه
( رواه البخاري ومسلم )
Meaning in English:
He who makes hajj for allah and avoids obscene language and immoral behavior, will return (without his sins) like the day his mother gave birth to him.” (collected by Bukhari & Muslim)
Abu-Hurayrah reported that the messenger of Allah (SWT) said:
العمرة إلى العمرة كفارة لما بينهما والحج المبرور ليس له جزاء إلا الجنة
( رواه البخاري ومسلم )
Meaning in English:
One umrah to another umrah erases sins committed between them and hajj (accepted by allah) has no reward except Al-Jannah (paradise).” (collected by Bukhari & Muslim)
Benefits of Hajj
- Above all, it is an act of obedience to Allah.
- Shows the universality of Islam.
- Reminds us of the Day of Judgment.
Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah, is the fifth pillar and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity in the world. For those Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey to Makkah, the Hajj is a once in a lifetime duty that is the peak of their religious life. The Hajj is a remarkable spiritual gathering of over two million Muslims from all over the world to the holy city. In performing the Hajj, a pilgrim follows the order of ritual that the Prophet Muhammad performed during his last pilgrimage.
May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) accept all our good deeds and help us in the cause, forgive our mistakes and make us amongst the Muntaqeen & By His Mercy make us all Inhabitants of Jannah. Ameen ya rabbal’alameen.
Jazakkallahu khairan!