Every deed falls under one of five categories:

1. Fard (obligatory) – The one who does this is rewarded and the one who leaves it has sinned.
2. Mustahabb (recommended) – The one who does this is rewarded and the one who leaves it has NOT sinned.
3. Mubah (allowed) – The one who does it has no reward and the one who leaves it has no sin.
4. Makrooh (disliked) – The one who leaves it is rewarded and the one who does it has not sinned.
5. Haram (prohibited) – The one who leaves it is rewarded and the one who does it has sinned.

[The above are generally discussed under “Usool Al-Fiqh” (The Foundations of Jurisprudence)].

As mentioned before, Hajj is obligatory, or more appropriately, the FIRST Hajj of a mature person is obligatory. The ones after that are voluntary.

What about Umrah though? Is it recommended or obligatory? Well, most people seem to think that it is definitely recommended and not obligatory.

Actually, there is a dispute amongst the scholars as to whether the first Umrah of a person is obligatory or recommended. Imam Ibn Rushd (rahimahullah) has laid out the dispute in his book, Bidaayat Al-Mujtahid. [You may read that section of his book here.]

I don’t wish to dwell on the debate but I’d like to present some proofs that seem to indicate that Umrah might be obligatory. The reason for this is so that people take Umrah more seriously and go if they have a chance to do so, rather than unnecessarily delaying it.

1. Allah asks us to perform Hajj and Umrah for Him

وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَ‌ةَ لِلَّـهِ

And perform properly the Hajj and Umrah for Allah. [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 196]

2. Some narrations of the Hadeeth of Jibreel include Umrah along with Hajj

This hadeeth was mentioned above under the Obligation of Hajj. Some of its narrations mention Umrah as well.

وتحج البيت وتعتمر

“And perform Hajj to the House and do Umrah.”[Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah, Hadeeth No.1]

[Note: Shaikh Mustafa Azami, who checked the ahadeeth in this book, does not comment on the hadeeth except to say “refer to the hadeeth in Sahih Muslim” implying that he considers it authentic. Also, there is some debate over this addition.]

3. Umrah has been incorporated into Hajj until the Day of Judgment

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: هَذِهِ عُمْرَةٌ اسْتَمْتَعْنَا بِهَا، فَمَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ عِنْدَهُ الْهَدْيُ فَلْيَحِلَّ الْحِلَّ كُلَّهُ، فَإِنَّ الْعُمْرَةَ قَدْ دَخَلَتْ فِي الْحَجِّ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ

Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) reported the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: This is the Umrah of which we have taken advantage. So he who has not the sacrificial animal with him should get out of the state of Ihraam completely, for Umrah has been incorporated in Hajj until the Day of Resurrection.”[Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2863]

Please note that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had intended Hajj Ifrad (just Hajj) but he was ordered to do both Hajj and Umrah.

4. If Umrah is the Jihad of women and is obligatory on them, then it is more so for the men

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ، قَالَتْ: قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ جِهَادٌ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ. عَلَيْهِنَّ جِهَادٌ لاَ قِتَالَ فِيهِ: الْحَجُّ وَالْعُمْرَةُ

Aishah (radiallahu anha) narrated: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah. Is Jihad obligatory for women?’ He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Yes. Upon them is a Jihad in which there is no fighting: Hajj and Umrah.””[Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 2901. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani. ]

5. Other narrations point to its possible obligation

عن أبِي رَزِينٍ قَالَ حَفْصٌ ، في حَدِيثهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي عَامِرٍ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: يَارَسُولَ الله إِنَّ أبِي شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ لاَ يَسْتَطِيعُ الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ وَلاَ الظَّعْنَ مَعاً قَال احْجُجْ عَنْ أبِيكَ وَاعْتَمِرْ

It was reported from Abu Razeen (radiallahu anhu) that he said: “O Messenger of Allah! My father is an old man who cannot perform Hajj, or Umrah, or (ride) a mount.” He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Perform Hajj and Umrah on behalf of your father.”[Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth no. 1810. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked him to do BOTH Hajj and Umrah on behalf of his father.

عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ ، قَالَ: قَالَ الصُّبَيُّ بْنُ مَعْبَدٍ كُنْتُ أَعْرَابِيًّا نَصْرَانِيًّا فَأَسْلَمْتُ فَكُنْتُ حَرِيصا عَلَى الْجِهَادِ فَوَجَدْتُ الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ مَكْتُوبَيْنِ عَلَيَّ فَأَتَيْتُ رَجُلاً مِنْ عَشِيرَتِي يُقَالُ لَهُ هُرَيْمُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَسَأَلْتُهُ فَقَالَ: اجْمَعْهُمَا ثُمَّ اذْبَحْ مَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْي فَأَهْلَلْتُ بِهِمَا فَلَمَّا أَتَيْتُ الْعُذَيْبَ لَقِيَنِي سَلْمَانُ بْنُ رَبِيعَةَ وَزَيْدُ بْنُ صُوْحَانَ وَأَنَا أُهِلُّ بِهِمَا فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا لِلآخَرِ: مَا هذَا بِأَفْقَهَ مِنْ بَعِيرِهِ فَأَتَيْتُ عُمَرَ فَقُلْتُ: يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُوءْمِنِينَ إنِّي أَسْلَمْتُ وَأَنَا حَرِيصٌ عَلَى الْجِهَادِ وَإنِّي وَجَدْتُ الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ مَكْتُوبَيْنِ عَلَيَّ فَأَتَيْتُ هُرَيْمَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَقُلْتُ: يَا هَنَّاهُ إنِّي وَجَدْتُ الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ مَكْتُوبَيْنِ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ: اجْمَعْهُمَا ثُمَّ اذْبَحْ مَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ فَأَهْلَلْتُ بِهِمَا فَلَمَّا أَتَيْنَا الْعُذَيْبَ لَقِيَنِي سَلْمَانُ بنُ رَبِيعَةَ وَزَيْدُ بْنُ صُوحَانَ فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا لِلآخَرِ: مَا هذَا بِأَفْقَهَ مِنْ بَعِيرِهِ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ: هُدِيتَ لِسُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ صلى الله عليه وسلّم.

It was narrated that Abu Wail said: “As-Subai ibn Mabad said: ‘I was a Christian Bedouin then I became a Muslim. I was keen to go for Jihad but I learned that Hajj and Umrah had been enjoined on me. I went to a man of my clan who was called Huraim ibn Abdullah and asked and he said: “Put them together, then slaughter whatever you can of the Hadi”. So I entered Ihram for both together, and when I came to al-Udhaib, I was met by Salman ibn Rabiah and Zaid ibn Suhan, while I was uttering the Talbiyah for both. One of them said to the other: “He does not understand more than his camel!” I came to Umar and said: “O Commander of the Believers! I have become Muslim and I am keen to go for jihad but I learned that Hajj and Umrah were enjoined on me, so I went to Huraim ibn Abdullah and said: ‘Hey you! I have learned that Hajj and Umrah have been enjoined on me.’ He said: ‘Put them together, then slaughter whatever you can of the Hadi.’ So I entered Ihram for both together, and when I came to Al-Udhaib, I was met by Salman ibn Rabiah and Zaid ibn Suhan, and one of them said to the other: “He does not understand more than his camel!””. Umar said: “You have been guided to the Sunnah of your Prophet.”[Sunan An-Nasai, Hadeeth no. 2720. Graded “sahih” by Al-Albani.]

[Note: The word “Sunnah” at the end of the hadeeth is used in its original meaning which is “the way”, which includes both obligatory and recommended acts.]

There are a few things to note in this hadeeth:

• As-Subai ibn Mabad (rahimahullah) tells Umar (radiallahu anhu) that he learnt that Hajj and Umrah were enjoined on him, yet Umar did not correct him, indicating that Umrah might be an obligation.
• Assuming ihraam for both Hajj and Umrah together is permissible and was done by Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). It is called Hajj Al-Qiran. However, assuming ihram separately for them both (by doing Hajj At-Tamattu) is better and is the recommended type of Hajj.
• Please note the good character of As-Subai ibn Mabad. When informing Umar (radiallahu anhu) of the story, he does not mention which one of the two men made the comment about him not knowing more than his camel.

For those that wish to read more on this issue, here’s a helpful article.

Unlike prayer, Hajj is not obligatory on every Muslim. For Hajj to be obligatory on someone, they have to fulfill the following conditions:

1. Islam

This is mandatory for every aspect of worship. This is because Allah will not accept a religion other than Islam, therefore the deeds of the kuffar (the disbelievers) are not accepted.

وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ‌ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَ‌ةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِ‌ينَ

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” [Surah Aal-Imraan (3) : 85]

وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَلِقَاءِ الْآخِرَ‌ةِ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ ۚ هَلْ يُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

“Those who deny Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and the Meeting in the Hereafter (Day of Resurrection,), vain are their deeds. Do they expect to be rewarded with anything except what they used to do?” [Surah Al-Araaf (7) : 147]

مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِ‌كِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُ‌وا مَسَاجِدَ اللَّـهِ شَاهِدِينَ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِم بِالْكُفْرِ‌ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ وَفِي النَّارِ‌ هُمْ خَالِدُونَ

“It is not for the Mushrikoon (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah), to maintain the Mosques of Allah (i.e. to pray and worship Allah therein, to look after their cleanliness and their building, etc.), while they witness against their ownselves of disbelief. The works of such are in vain and in Fire shall they abide.” [Surah At-Tawbah (9) : 17]

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْ‌جُونَ لِقَاءَنَا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَوْ نَرَ‌ىٰ رَ‌بَّنَا ۗ لَقَدِ اسْتَكْبَرُ‌وا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ وَعَتَوْا عُتُوًّا كَبِيرً‌ا

يَوْمَ يَرَ‌وْنَ الْمَلَائِكَةَ لَا بُشْرَ‌ىٰ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُجْرِ‌مِينَ وَيَقُولُونَ حِجْرً‌ا مَّحْجُورً‌ا

وَقَدِمْنَا إِلَىٰ مَا عَمِلُوا مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ هَبَاءً مَّنثُورً‌ا

“And those who expect not for a Meeting with Us (i.e. those who deny the Day of Resurrection and the life of the Hereafter), say: “Why are not the angels sent down to us, or why do we not see our Lord?” Indeed they think too highly of themselves, and are scornful with great pride. On the Day they will see the angels, no glad tidings will there be for the Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) that day. And they (angels) will say: “All kinds of glad tidings are forbidden for you,”. And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust.” [Surah Al-Furqan (25) : 21-23]

قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُكُم بِالْأَخْسَرِ‌ينَ أَعْمَالًا

الَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا

أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُ‌وا بِآيَاتِ رَ‌بِّهِمْ وَلِقَائِهِ فَحَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَلَا نُقِيمُ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَزْنًا

ذَٰلِكَ جَزَاؤُهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ بِمَا كَفَرُ‌وا وَاتَّخَذُوا آيَاتِي وَرُ‌سُلِي هُزُوًا

“Say (O Muhammad): “Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds! They are those who deny the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord and the Meeting with Him (in the Hereafter).” So their works are in vain, and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall not give them any weight. That shall be their recompense, Hell; because they disbelieved and took My Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and My Messengers by way of jest and mockery.” [Surah Al-Kahf (18) : 103-106]

مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُ‌وا بِرَ‌بِّهِمْ ۖ أَعْمَالُهُمْ كَرَ‌مَادٍ اشْتَدَّتْ بِهِ الرِّ‌يحُ فِي يَوْمٍ عَاصِفٍ ۖ لَّا يَقْدِرُ‌ونَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الضَّلَالُ الْبَعِيدُ

“The parable of those who disbelieve in their Lord is that their works are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously on a stormy day, they shall not be able to get aught of what they have earned. That is the straying, far away (from the Right Path).” [Surah Ibrahim (14) : 18]

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُ‌وا أَعْمَالُهُمْ كَسَرَ‌ابٍ بِقِيعَةٍ يَحْسَبُهُ الظَّمْآنُ مَاءً حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَهُ لَمْ يَجِدْهُ شَيْئًا وَوَجَدَ اللَّـهَ عِندَهُ فَوَفَّاهُ حِسَابَهُ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ سَرِ‌يعُ الْحِسَابِ

أَوْ كَظُلُمَاتٍ فِي بَحْرٍ‌ لُّجِّيٍّ يَغْشَاهُ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِ سَحَابٌ ۚ ظُلُمَاتٌ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ إِذَا أَخْرَ‌جَ يَدَهُ لَمْ يَكَدْ يَرَ‌اهَا ۗ وَمَن لَّمْ يَجْعَلِ اللَّـهُ لَهُ نُورً‌ا فَمَا لَهُ مِن نُّورٍ‌

“As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing, but he finds Allah with him, Who will pay him his due (Hell). And Allah is Swift in taking account. Or [the state of a disbeliever] is like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with a great wave topped by a great wave, topped by dark clouds, darkness, one above another, if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! And he for whom Allah has not appointed light, for him there is no light.” [Surah An-Nur (24) : 39-40]

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ابْنُ جُدْعَانَ كَانَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ يَصِلُ الرَّحِمَ وَيُطْعِمُ الْمِسْكِينَ فَهَلْ ذَاكَ نَافِعُهُ قَالَ ‏ : لاَ يَنْفَعُهُ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَقُلْ يَوْمًا رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي يَوْمَ الدِّينِ ‏

[Note: The disbelievers will still be held accountable in the hereafter for their actions. To understand this further, you may refer to this article.]

The disbelievers have been specifically prohibited from entering Masjid Al-Haram and doing Hajj.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِ‌كُونَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا يَقْرَ‌بُوا الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَ‌امَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هَـٰذَا ۚ وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ عَيْلَةً فَسَوْفَ يُغْنِيكُمُ اللَّـهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ إِن شَاءَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

“O you who believe (in Allah’s Oneness and in His Messenger (Muhammad)! Verily, the Mushrikoon (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, and in the Message of Muhammad) are Najasun (impure). So let them not come near Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) after this year, and if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you if He wills, out of His Bounty. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” [Surah At-Tawbah (9) : 28]

[Note: This impurity is due to their shirk (worshipping others besides Allah), so it is an impurity of the heart. As for the impurity of the body, then this is not what is intended.]

عن أَبَي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ بَعَثَنِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ فِي تِلْكَ الْحَجَّةِ فِي مُؤَذِّنِينَ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ نُؤَذِّنُ بِمِنًى أَنْ لاَ يَحُجَّ بَعْدَ الْعَامِ مُشْرِكٌ، وَلاَ يَطُوفَ بِالْبَيْتِ عُرْيَانٌ‏.‏ قَالَ حُمَيْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ ثُمَّ أَرْدَفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلِيًّا، فَأَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُؤَذِّنَ بِبَرَاءَةَ قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ فَأَذَّنَ مَعَنَا عَلِيٌّ فِي أَهْلِ مِنًى يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ لاَ يَحُجُّ بَعْدَ الْعَامِ مُشْرِكٌ، وَلاَ يَطُوفُ بِالْبَيْتِ عُرْيَانٌ

Allah rewards the disbelievers for their actions in this world.

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّهُ حَدَّثَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ إِذَا عَمِلَ حَسَنَةً أُطْعِمَ بِهَا طُعْمَةً مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَأَمَّا الْمُؤْمِنُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَدَّخِرُ لَهُ حَسَنَاتِهِ فِي الآخِرَةِ وَيُعْقِبُهُ رِزْقًا فِي الدُّنْيَا عَلَى طَاعَتِهِ ‏

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَظْلِمُ مُؤْمِنًا حَسَنَةً يُعْطَى بِهَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَيُجْزَى بِهَا فِي الآخِرَةِ وَأَمَّا الْكَافِرُ فَيُطْعَمُ بِحَسَنَاتِ مَا عَمِلَ بِهَا لِلَّهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى إِذَا أَفْضَى إِلَى الآخِرَةِ لَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُ حَسَنَةٌ يُجْزَى بِهَا 

Now, someone might ask the following questions:

• “Why isn’t the deed of a disbeliever accepted? Why does there need to be Islam?”

This is because we were created to worship Allah and He has already warned us that if we do not worship Him, our deeds will not get accepted.

I’ve already written about this on my older Greatest Month blog. You may read about it here.

• “What about the good disbelievers? Why aren’t their deeds accepted?”

This is a very common question. People always ask why “bad” Muslims get to go to Paradise eventually but “good” non-Muslims don’t. I’ve written about this topic before as well and you may read the article here.

• “What if the disbeliever never heard of Islam?”

Well, he would then get his test in the Hereafter itself. This article discusses this issue.

As for those who have non-Muslim families and the like, I would advise you to do a lot of dua (supplication) for them and keep calling them to Islam with wisdom and patience.

2. Puberty

Children are not held accountable for their actions until they attain puberty.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، ‏ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ ‏:‏ رُفِعَ الْقَلَمُ عَنْ ثَلاَثَةٍ عَنِ النَّائِمِ حَتَّى يَسْتَيْقِظَ وَعَنِ الصَّغِيرِ حَتَّى يَكْبَرَ وَعَنِ الْمَجْنُونِ حَتَّى يَعْقِلَ أَوْ يُفِيقَ ‏

It was narrated from Aishah (radiallahu anha) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said. “The Pen has been lifted from three: from the sleeping person until he awakens, from the minor until he grows up, and from the insane person until he comes to his senses.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 2041. Graded “sahih” by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ اِبْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم: أيما صبيٍّ حجَّ ، ثم بلغ الحِنْثَ ، فعليه أن يحجَّ حجَّةً أخرى ، و أيما أعرابيٍّ حجَّ ثم هاجر فعليه أن يحجَّ حجةً أخرى ، و أيما عبدٍ حجَّ ثم أُعتِقَ ، فعليه أن يحُجَّ حجَّةً أُخرى

Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Any child that performs Hajj, then reaches puberty, then upon him is another Hajj. And any bedouin that performs Hajj, then does migrates then upon him is another Hajj. And any slave that performs Hajj, then is free, then upon him is another Hajj.”[Sahih Al-Jaami, Hadeeth No. 2729]

[Note: Imam Ibn Khuzaimah (rahimahullah) points out in his Sahih under Hadeeth No. 3050 (which mentions the same thing as above with the exception of the slave) that the issue of bedouins repeating their Hajj had to do with before the Conquest of Makkah. And Allah knows Better.]

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ رَفَعَتِ امْرَأَةٌ صَبِيًّا لَهَا فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَلِهَذَا حَجٌّ قَالَ ‏ :‏ نَعَمْ وَلَكِ أَجْرٌ ‏

One could ask: What are the signs of puberty?

Well, there are more than one. This article sheds light on this issue.

3. Sanity

An insane person is not responsible for his actions so he is not obliged to do Hajj.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، ‏ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ ‏: رُفِعَ الْقَلَمُ عَنْ ثَلاَثَةٍ عَنِ النَّائِمِ حَتَّى يَسْتَيْقِظَ وَعَنِ الصَّغِيرِ حَتَّى يَكْبَرَ وَعَنِ الْمَجْنُونِ حَتَّى يَعْقِلَ أَوْ يُفِيقَ ‏

4. Freedom

This means that he should not be a slave. [Note: Slaves and servants are two different things.]

عَنْ اِبْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم: أيما صبيٍّ حجَّ ، ثم بلغ الحِنْثَ ، فعليه أن يحجَّ حجَّةً أخرى ، و أيما أعرابيٍّ حجَّ ثم هاجر فعليه أن يحجَّ حجةً أخرى ، و أيما عبدٍ حجَّ ثم أُعتِقَ ، فعليه أن يحُجَّ حجَّةً أُخرى

5. Ability

One should have the ability to do Hajj. Ability means both financial and physical ability.

وَلِلَّـهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ‌ فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ

And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Kabah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the Alameen (mankind and jinns).” [Surah Aal-Imran (3) : 97]

The hadeeth of the bedouin mentioned earlier is also proof for this point:

قَالَ: وَزَعَمَ رَسُولُكَ أَنَّ عَلَيْنَا حَجَّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلاً. قَالَ: صَدَقَ

He (the bedouin) said: Your messenger also told us that Hajj to the House had been made obligatory for him who is able to undertake the journey to it. He (the Prophet) said: Yes. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 9. The full text of this hadeeth was mentioned earlier.]

Yet another proof for this can be found in the Hadeeth of Jibreel (mentioned earlier):

وَقَالَ: يَا مُحَمَّدُ! أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الإِسْلاَمِ؟. فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: الإِسْلاَمُ أَنْ تَشْهَدَ أَنْ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ الله وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدا رَسُولُ اللّهِ، وَتُقِيمَ الصَّلاَةَ، وَتُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ، وَتَصُومَ رَمَضَانَ، وَتَحُجَّ الْبَيْتَ، إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلاً. قَالَ: صَدَقْتَ

And he said: O Muhammad, tell me about Islam. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Islam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish the prayer, to pay the zakah, to fast in Ramadan, and to perform the Hajj to the House if you were able to do so.” He said: You have spoken rightly. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth no. 1. The full text of this hadeeth was also mentioned earlier.]

The issue of ability is a vast one which includes the matter of debts.  Therefore, it is imperative for a Muslim to check whether he is falls under this condition or not. Many seem to believe that they lack the ability even though in reality they do not.

This article illustrates various scenarios.

6. Mahram (for women)

In order for a woman to go on a journey, she needs to go with her husband or a mahram. A mahram is a male relative who is permanently forbidden for her in marriage like her father, brother, father-in-law, son-in-law, stepfather (if his marriage to her mother was consummated), stepson, brothers’ and sisters’ sons (i.e. nephews), etc. This article gives a detailed overview as to who a woman’s mahrams are.

[Please note that husband’s brothers, sister’s husbands and aunt’s husbands are NOT mahrams, not even “temporarily”.]

Here’s a nice mind map of this issue:

If a woman has no mahram to go to Hajj or her mahrams cannot go with her, she is not obliged to do Hajj.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :لاَ يَحِلُّ لاِمْرَأَةٍ تُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ تُسَافِرُ مَسِيرَةَ يَوْمٍ إِلاَّ مَعَ ذِي مَحْرَمٍ ‏

عَنْ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَخْطُبُ يَقُولُ :‏ لاَ يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ إِلاَّ وَمَعَهَا ذُو مَحْرَمٍ وَلاَ تُسَافِرِ الْمَرْأَةُ إِلاَّ مَعَ ذِي مَحْرَمٍ ‏ ‏.‏ فَقَامَ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ امْرَأَتِي خَرَجَتْ حَاجَّةً وَإِنِّي اكْتُتِبْتُ فِي غَزْوَةِ كَذَا وَكَذَا ‏.‏ قَالَ :‏ انْطَلِقْ فَحُجَّ مَعَ امْرَأَتِكَ ‏

What if a woman does Haj without one? Well, firstly, there is a small difference of opinion over whether she can go for her first (obligatory) Hajj without one. Many scholars believe that she cannot do so and the hadeeth above about the man and his wife seems to strongly support this view. According to them, if she does do Hajj without a mahram, her Hajj is valid but sinful.

Unfortunately, many sisters are careless of this fact, going on journeys alone despite the stern warning against it. They even go to Hajj alone and then claim that some scholars had this view. Unfortunately, these are the very same people which, if you tell them about another minority opinion (in another area), they would reject it because it was only a few scholars that had that view!

To the sisters who really want to do Hajj and do not have a mahram, my advice would be not to go to Hajj until you have one. If you are in the position where you might never have one, I would advise you to be patient and still not go for Hajj. Why not? Because perhaps you will get more reward by leaving of the sin (of traveling alone) than going to Hajj without a mahram.

This is a concept that many people do not understand: that leaving a sin could bring in more reward than doing a good deed. This is because many people do not understand what ibaadah (worship) is to begin with. The whole point of doing acts of worship like Hajj is to please Allah and draw closer to Him. We can only please Him with acts that He has permittedو not that which He has prohibited. When one understands this, they will understand why not going to Hajj without a mahram is really the better solution.

A final note: A woman in her iddah (waiting period after her husband’s death) is not allowed to perform Hajj. This article discusses the matter further.

Some more issues regarding the conditions of Hajj are discussed here.

There are many people who unnecessarily delay Hajj although they have the means and the ability to do it. This is contrary to the advice of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).