Section 6

Ḥajj (ٱلْحَجُّ): Pilgrimage to Makkah

6.1 Introduction to Ḥajj

Ḥajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able. It is a profound act of devotion that symbolizes unity, submission, and sacrifice. The word ḥajj linguistically means “to intend a journey,” and in Islamic law, it refers to traveling to the Kaʿbah in Makkah and performing specific rites during the appointed days of Dhū al-Ḥijjah.

 وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ

“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.”

(Qur’ān, Āl ʿImrān 3:97)

6.2 Ḥadīth on the Obligation of Ḥajj

 بُنِيَ الإِسْلاَمُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ... وَحَجِّ الْبَيْتِ

“Islam is built on five pillars... and pilgrimage to the House.”

(Bukhārī, 8; Muslim, 16)

 الْحَجُّ أَرْكَنُهُ قِيَامُ بِهِ لِلَّهِ، وَالْمَوْقُوفَاتِ وَالطَّوَافَ وَالسَّعْيِ

“Ḥajj consists of standing for Allah, the specified stations, ṭawāf, and saʿy.”

(Al-Muwaṭṭa’, Mālik, 1/232)

6.3 Legal Status in Mālikī Madhhab

According to Imām Mālik, Ḥajj is farḍ ʿayn for every Muslim who:

Is Muslim, sane, mature

Physically and financially able

Safe route is available

Failure to perform Ḥajj despite ability is a grave sin. Mālikīs do not delay Ḥajj once the obligation is met. Women must have a maḥram or safe escort for Ḥajj to be valid.

6.4 Types of Ḥajj

In Mālikī fiqh, there are three forms of pilgrimage:

Type Description

Ifrād Ḥajj alone, without ʿUmrah

Qirān Ḥajj and ʿUmrah together, with single ihrām

Tamattuʿ ʿUmrah during Ḥajj season, followed by Ḥajj with a break

Preferred form in Mālikī madhhab: Ifrād, as it allows each act to be performed fully.

6.5 Essential Rites of Ḥajj (Arkān)

According to Mālikī scholars, four pillars (arkān) of Ḥajj must be fulfilled:

1. Ihrām – Entering sacred state with intention

2. Ṭawāf al-Ifāḍah – Circumambulation after ʿArafah

3. Saʿyi- Walking between Ṣafā and Marwah

4. Standing at ʿArafah – From noon to sunset on 9 Dhū al-Ḥijjah

 الْحَجُّ عَرَفَةُ

“Ḥajj is ʿArafah.”

(Tirmidhī, 889)

Failure to perform any pillar invalidates Ḥajj.

6.6 Wājibāt (Mandatory acts)

The Mālikī madhhab outlines these as obligatory (if missed, requires sacrifice or kaffārah):

1. Spending night in Muzdalifah 2. Throwing pebbles (jamrah) at Minā 3. Shaving or trimming hair 4. Staying in Minā during Tashrīq days

6.7 Sunnah Practices

Ṭawāf al-Qudūm (upon arrival)

Kiss or touch the Black Stone

Talbiyah:

 لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

“Here I am, O Allah, here I am. There is no partner with You. Here I am. Verily all praise, blessings, and sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.”

6.8 Spiritual Lessons of Ḥajj

Imām al-Qurṭubī (a Mālikī exegete) noted:

 يُرَبِّي الحَجُّ فِي الْعَبْدِ خُضُوعًا كَامِلًا لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ

“Ḥajj instills complete humility and submission to Allah’s commands.”

(Tafsīr al-Qurṭubī, vol. 4)

Unity: All Muslims wear the same garments

Submission: Rituals follow divine commands exactly

Sacrifice: Reminds us of Ibrāhīm عليه السلام’s willingness

6.9 Those Exempt from Ḥajj

1. Poverty: If one cannot afford provisions and return

2. Illness or old age

3. Women without a maḥram (though some Mālikī jurists allow if with a safe group)

6.10 Fiqh Details (According to Mālikī Jurists)

Women in menses: May perform all rituals except ṭawāf

Performing Ḥajj on behalf of others: Only if one has completed their own Ḥajj

Delaying Ḥajj: Disliked if capable, especially in Mālikī school

Reference

Mālik ibn Anas. (1994). Al-Muwaṭṭa’. Dār al-Fikr.

Al-Qurṭubī, M. (2006). Tafsīr al-Qurṭubī. Dār al-Kutub al-ʿIlmiyyah.

Al-Bukhārī, M. (2001). Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī. Dār Ibn Kathīr.

Muslim ibn al-Ḥajjāj. (2006). Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim. Dār Ṭawq al-Najāh.

Al-Tirmidhī, M. (1998). Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī. Dār al-Gharb al-Islāmī.