Ḥajj
حجDefinition
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam — the obligatory pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform at least once in their lifetime. It takes place in the month of Dhul-Hijja and involves a series of precisely defined rituals: entering the state of ihram, performing tawaf around the Kaaba, walking between Safa and Marwa, standing at the plain of Arafah, spending the night at Muzdalifa, casting stones at the pillars in Mina, and offering sacrifice. Al-Ghazali insists that Hajj, more than any other pillar, is designed to overwhelm the ordinary self — its scale, its community, its physical demands, and its symbolic richness all conspire to shake the pilgrim free of complacency.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Ḥajj.
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"The order is as follows: first, the fulfillment of Islamic Hajj, then making up for a corrupted Hajj, then a vow, deputation, and finally voluntary Hajj. This sequence is requisite, even if intended otherwise. The conditions for the obligation of Hajj include reaching maturity, Islam, sanity, freedom, and ability. Anyone obligated to perform Hajj must also perform 'Umrah. If someone enters Mecca for visitation or trade and is not a Meccan, they are required to assume ihram according to one opinion and conclude it with 'Umrah or Hajj."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 7: The Mysteries of Pilgrimage
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"There is no blood obligation for ifrad unless voluntarily offered. The second is qiran, which involves combining Hajj and Umrah by saying "Labbayk for Hajj and Umrah together," becoming a muhrim for both. The Hajj acts suffice, and Umrah is incorporated into Hajj. If one performs tawaf and sa'i before standing at Arafat, the sa'i counts for both rites, but the tawaf does not count as a compulsory duty because obligatory tawaf in Hajj must occur after standing."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 7: The Mysteries of Pilgrimage
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"and Hajj must be performed on their behalf using their estate, whether they made a will or not. If someone was able in a certain year but did not join the people for Hajj and lost their wealth before the people undertook Hajj, and then died, they meet Allah without the obligation of Hajj upon them. Those who die without performing Hajj despite having the means face severe consequences before Allah."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 7: The Mysteries of Pilgrimage
Appears in
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