Hajj
Importance
Hajj is one of the most integral pillars of Islam upon which Islam has been established. Imam Baqir (a) says "Islam has been established on the following five elements: prayer, zakat, fast, hajj and wilaya".[1]
Hajj holds immense virtue and abundant reward. Many traditions have been narrated from the Holy Prophet (s) and Ahl al-Bayt (a) on the merits of hajj. Imam al-Sadiq (a) says: "Those who perform hajj and 'umra form the delegation of Allah; if they beg Him, He will grant them; if they call upon Him, He will answer them; if they want to intercede for others, He will accept it; and if they keep quiet, He will speak on their behalf, and they will be compensated with a reward of one million dirhams for the expense of one dirham".[2]
In the light of many verses and hadiths, a person who has qualified for Hajj and is well aware that hajj is obligatory upon him and yet does not perform it has committed a major sin.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur'an:
| “ | وَلِلّهِ علَیَ النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلاً وَ مَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ الله غَنِيّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ
Pilgrimage to the House is a duty imposed upon mankind by God for everyone who can afford a way to it. Anyone who disbelieves will find that God is Transcendent beyond any need of the Universe".[3] |
” |
It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (a): "If a person dies and does not perform hajj while there was no pressing need, severe illness, or any cruel ruler which may prevent him from performing it, he will die as a Jew or a Christian".[4]