SOME ORDINANCES OF THE PILGRIMAGE AND LESSER
PILGRIMGE
1) Pilgrimage is an obligation for Muslims, according to the precepts of
the Holy Quran and the Sunna (Practice of the Prophet and Companions).
a) In the
Quran God says:
"Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe' to God, those who are able to make
the journey" This means that Pilgrimage is a duty imposed on all
Muslims and which they cannot avoid so long as they are able to find the
means to do so.
b) As
for the Sunna, Ibn `Abbas reported that the Prophet said in one of his
speeches:
"O people, pilgrimage is ordained for you- so fulfil it." Then al-Aqra'
Ibn Habis asked : "Is it to be yearly,O Messenger of God?" To this the
Prophet replied "If I say so, it will be taken for an obligation which
lies beyond your power... Pilgrimage is to be performed once, and whoever
performs it more than once does so voluntarily".
2) According to the above-mentioned hadith (saying of the Prophet), pilgrimage
is a duty one owes to God once in the course of one's life to do so more
than once is voluntary. All the scholars (`Ulama) have agreed upon this.
3) As for the Lesser Pilgrimage, some scholar state that it is desirable,
but not compulsory, quoting Abu Hurayra, who reported that the Prophet
said "Pilgrimage is a duty, but the Lesser Pilgrimage
is optional." Once a Bedouin came to the Prophet
and said : "O Messenger of God tell me about the Umra, is it a duty ?"
The Prophet answered : "No, but it is better for you that you perform it".
The Messenger of God recommended the quick fulfilment of the pilgrimage
: "He who intends to set out on a pilgrimage must
hasten he may fall sick, lose his means of conveyance, or be faced with
poverty"