Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, comes after fasting of Ramadan.
( وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ ) (And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah): The latter (and) is a conjunction letter, it comes between either two related or distinct words. Hajj differs from ‘Ummrah; Hajj pilgrimage has a specific appointed time:
{الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَّعْلُومَاتٌ }
(Hajj is (during) well-known months) (Al-Baqara: 197)
Whereas the Umrah can be performed anytime. Additionally, Hajj requires the presence in (Arafah) whereas it is not in ‘Ummrah. So, the both shares in some rituals and differs in others.
( وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ ) (And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah): It seems that they were not performing Hajj and Ummrah to perfection. Therefore, some detailed rulings are mentioned here concerning Ihraam and other matters of Hajj. However, we note Allah (swt) says, (for Allah) , one may ask “can it be for the sake of other than Allah !!” Yes, those who make this trip by using unlawful money, as if they are doing it for the sake of other than Allah (swt). Do not follow unlawful ways to go to Hajj as for example paying a bribe to get a permission to Hajj, as long as the Hajj pilgrimage is (for Allah) and because He (swt) says to you:
{وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا }
(And (due) to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way.) (Ali-Imran: 97)
All what is needed during the Hajj trip should be available, such as food, safe road, lawful (halal) money and the expenses of your children until your return, moreover, if you owe somebody money, you cannot go to Hajj until you pay what you owe, or at the very least, obtain that person’s permission to go to Hajj.
Hajj is a trip to a sacred place; the Sacred House of Allah (swt).
Talking about the Hajj Pilgrimage leads us to talk about its rituals which are related to (Tawaaf) (moving around the Ka’aba), the walking between Safa and Marwah mountains, standing in Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina, and visiting the tomb of our beloved Prophet (saws). By doing these rituals you would have completed the hajj.
What is the Sacred House of God? Allah (swt) made the House a place of return for the people and a place of security. ِAllah (swt) says in other verses:
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ % فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمَن دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ
(Indeed, the first House (of worship) established for mankind was that at Makkah – blessed and a guidance for the worlds. % In it are clear signs (such as) the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And (due) to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds) (Ali-Imraan: 96-97)
Allah (swt) has willed this the establishment of this House.
The Arabic word of the house (Bayt), in general, is derived from (Baytutah) which means the place where human rest, his shelter at the end of his labor day where he throws his worries.
So how would be the case when this house is established by the will of Allah (swt)!!! or it is the House of Allah (swt). if you receive a guest in your house, of course, you will treat him with generosity. How would be the generosity if Allah (swt) is the owner of the House!! Then all the mercies, all blessings, all goodness will be gained when entering into the house of Allah (swt).
One would say that the Mosques which are in every part of the earth are the houses of worshipping Allah (swt) as Allah (swt) says:
{فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَن تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ }
(Such niches are) in mosques which Allah has ordered to be raised and that His name be mentioned therein; exalting Him within them in the morning and the evenings) (An-Noor: 36)
We answer him, “Yes, these houses are houses of worshipping Allah (swt) as well, but who choose their places are the the humans, they are not defined by Allah (swt). As we know that in any city, any village, or neighborhood, the people agree to define a piece of land and build a mosque on it, then, this spot is specified only rfor worshipping and nothing else. That is the difference between the Sacred House; the Holy Ka’bah and all the mosques, of being a house chosen by Allah (swt) before the existence of the humans, Allah (swt) says:
{إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ }
(Indeed, the first House (of worship) established for mankind was that at Makkah – blessed and a guidance for the worlds) (‘Ali-Imraan: 96)
(established) is a Passive voice verb and since this House is (established for mankind) and as Adam is from people, so it is put before Adam. Who established this house? They are the angels. As such, one prayer in the Sacred House equals one hundred thousand prayers in other mosques. This sanctity of this place came from being the choice of Allah (swt), a place where people come to repent and return to Him (swt), whenever the life burdens them with its worries, sins, and problems, their Lord calls them for Hajj or ‘Ummrah so they come to this House. Of course, Hajj is obligatory once in the lifetime as indicated in this verse:
{وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا }
(And (due) to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way) (Ali-Imraan: 97)
So, it depends on your ability. The ability as the Prophet (saws) explained; the pilgrim should be secure throughout his way and has his travel’s expenses and so on. Someone may say, the Hajj pilgrimage rituals are related to Sayyidina Ibrahim Al-Khalil (the beloved) (PBUH), father of the Prophets. This is a true fact, but if we check the verses, we will know that Allah (swt) commanded him to raise the foundations of the House:
{وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا }
(And (mention) when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and (with him) Ishmael, (saying), “Our Lord, accept (this) from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing) (Al-Baqaara:127)
Thus, Ibrahim (PBUH) raised the foundations of the building, the third dimension which is the height. Hence, the place of the house was defined. Our proof of that as well is that when the beloved Ibrahim (PBUH) left Hajar and his child Ishmael in the arid, desolate area where no water or plants, he said:
{رَّبَّنَا إِنِّي أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِي بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِي زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ الْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ فَاجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ تَهْوِي إِلَيْهِمْ وَارْزُقْهُم مِّنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ }
(Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful) (Ibrahim: 37)
Therefore, with these words, with these great supplications of our Master Ibrahim, Allah’s beloved, was the obligation of Hajj pilgrimage and its rituals. These rituals connected to the father of the Prophets Ibrahim (PBUH).
( وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ ) (And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah): Hence, Hajj and Umrah have to be performed to completion, they should be done by unlawful money. Someone may say that he goes to Hajj for his sins to be forgiven. Indeed, Allah (swt) forgives your sins towards Him (swt), but He (swt) will not forgive your sins towards others, they sins have to be addressed justly, htat is only through returning the rights to their owners. This is so important, that one has not to think that if he goes to Hajj, all that he did before he went or after he came back from Hajj will be cleared. If you have wronged yourself in your relationship with Allah (swt) or if there are shortcomings in your duties towards Him (swt), then be minded that you have wronged yourself not Him (swt) because Allah (swt) is not in need to your worship. However, if you steal, take an inheritance unjustly, pay a bribe, do some unethical reprehensible acts, or insult a person, then your Hajj pilgrimage will not be complete unless you return the rights to their owners.
( فَإِنْ أُحْصِرْتُمْ) (But if you are prevented): If you were prevented, for some reason from completing the Hajj rituals. It’s known that, Hajj requires performing (Ihram) from the Meeqaat, which was defined by our Prophet (saws). We have to consider the Holy Qur’an as a whole, this means that we have to take into consideration the verse which says:
{…وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا… }
(And whatever the Messenger has given you – take; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from.) (Al-Hashr: 7)
There are many issues not revealed in the Holy Quran, the legislation was left to our master the Prophet of Allah (saws). As in this case, the Messenger of Allah (saws) prescribed Meeqaat and ihraam which are not mentioned in details in the Holy Qur’an. Hence, if you started to perform Hajj or ‘Ummrah, and for some reason you are prevented from doing them, what should you do? The rulings are mentioned in the rest of this verse:
( فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ ) (then (offer) what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals.): You may sacrifice a sheep, a cow, or a camel. Why is it called “sacrificial animals”? Because they are distributed to the poor in the Sacred House, this is called (Al-Hadi) in Arabic. In the past, they used to drive the animal, and if, for any circumstance and in any place, they were in Ihram condition and prevented from performing the rituals of Hajj, they used to slaughter the animals at that place and distribute them.
( وَلَا تَحْلِقُوا رُءُوسَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ الْهَدْيُ مَحِلَّهُ ۚ ) (And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter.): This is because shaving heads is a sign of ending the state Ihram.
( فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ بِهِ أَذًى مِّن رَّأْسِهِ فَفِدْيَةٌ مِّن صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ ) (And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head a ransom of fasting or charity or sacrifice.): Allah (swt) gives a permit to those who are ill or have scalp issues to compensate. Returning to the verses of fasting:
أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ وَأَن تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
(Fasting for) a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey (during them) – then an equal number of days (are to be made up). And upon those who are able (to fast, but with hardship) – a ransom (as substitute) of feeding a poor person (each day). And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.) (Al-Baqaraa: 184)
Ransom, so you may compensate the obligation through feeding the poor, this is the meaning of ransom. Also in the verse we study, the ransom when you are prevented from doing the rituals or had illness or harm… The ransom as the Prophet (saws) explained is fasting three days, pay charity, or feeding six poor people or a sacrifice, that is to slaughter a sheep.
( فَإِذَا أَمِنتُمْ فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِالْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى الْحَجِّ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ ۚ ) (And when you are secure, then whoever performs ‘umrah (during the Hajj months) followed by Hajj (offers) what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals.): If the Muslim who wants to perform Hajj, makes Ihram for Umrah then he absolve his Ihram (this state is called (Tamatu’), then he has to sacrifice an animal and distribute it to the poor.
Every worship has an impact on the worshipers, similarly, its ransom has benefits on others. This is the Islamic laws, which have nothing to do with killing, terrorize, lie to others, and hate others, rather always beneficial to people. Hence, if you want to perform Hajj in (Tamatu’) state, that is you want to stop the state of Ihram between Ummrah and Hajj, in this case you have to sacrifice an animal and distribute it to the poor.
( وَأَنفِقُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ) (And whoever cannot find (or afford such an animal) – then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned (home). Those are ten complete (days).): Those who lack money to sacrifice an animal, should fast three days during the Hajj and seven days on his return. Why did Allah (swt) confirm the ten days by saying “complete”? The answer is: To understand that it is not a choice between fasting either seven days or three days, but an obligation to fast a whole ten.
( ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن لَّمْ يَكُنْ أَهْلُهُ حَاضِرِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ۚ ) (This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram..): That is, the one who is not a resident in Makkah nor the area around the Sacred House. As for him, he does not have to scarify an animal.
( وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ) (And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty..): Meaning, always be mindful of Allah (swt). We notice that every matter that Allah (swt) order us to do, is ended with this slogan of fearing Allah (swt), from the beginning of the verses of fasting Ramadan to the end of the details of ihram. Previously we said, that piety is always refers to avoiding the forbidden. That is, you avoid the Hell fire by being good, or by avoiding doing such and such. Therefore, to fear Allah (swt) means to put a barrier between you and the things He (swt) has forbid.
Verify, Allah (swt) is severe in punishment for those who defy His command and does not comply to what He has ordered to do in this verse. In other words, Allah (swt) give orders and He (swt) gives easiness as well, that is if you cannot do so and so, you have to sacrifice an animal, if you cannot, you have to fast so and so of days.