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سنن ابن ماجه
Ibn Majah
كتاب المناسكChapters on Hajj Rituals
بَابُ : فَرْضِ الْحَجِّChapter: The obligation of Hajj
Hadith 2884
اُردوEn
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ ، وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ ، قَالَا : حَدَّثَنَا مَنْصُورُ بْنُ وَرْدَانَ ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْأَعْلَى ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ ، عَنْ أَبِي الْبَخْتَرِيِّ ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ ، قَالَ : لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلا سورة آل عمران آية 97 ، قَالُوا : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، الْحَجُّ فِي كُلِّ عَامٍ ؟ ، فَسَكَتَ ، ثُمَّ قَالُوا : أَفِي كُلِّ عَامٍ ؟ ، فَقَالَ : " لَا ، وَلَوْ قُلْتُ : نَعَمْ ، لَوَجَبَتْ ، فَنَزَلَتْ يَأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تَسْأَلُوا عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ إِنْ تُبْدَ لَكُمْ تَسُؤْكُمْ سورة المائدة آية 101 " .
´It was narrated that ‘Ali said:` “When the following was revealed: “And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for whoever can bear the way.” [3:97] They asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, is Hajj every year?’ He remained silent. They asked: ‘Is it every year?’ He said: ‘No. If I had said yes, it would have become obligatory.’ Then the following was revealed: “O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble.’” [5:101]
Related hadith on this topic
Brief Explanation
1؎: Hajj is the fifth fundamental pillar of Islam, which was made obligatory in 5 AH or 6 AH. According to some people, it was made obligatory in 9 AH or 10 AH. In Zad al-Ma'ad, Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim's inclination is also towards this view.
2؎: Asking questions without necessity is prohibited, because by questioning, everything is explained in detail, whereas if there is no question, it remains general, and there is much leeway in what is general. See in the verse regarding Hajj itself, there was no detail as to whether Hajj is obligatory every year or once in a lifetime. Thus, if one performed Hajj even once in a lifetime, the verse would have been acted upon, and that would have sufficed; there was no need to ask. However, the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) asked, and if the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had answered in the affirmative, Hajj would have become obligatory every year, and this would have been a great hardship for the Ummah, especially for those from distant lands—how could they go for Hajj every year? But the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) showed mercy to his Ummah and remained silent. When they asked again, he replied in the negative, meaning it is not obligatory every year, and for the future, he forbade them from asking unnecessary questions.
2؎: Asking questions without necessity is prohibited, because by questioning, everything is explained in detail, whereas if there is no question, it remains general, and there is much leeway in what is general. See in the verse regarding Hajj itself, there was no detail as to whether Hajj is obligatory every year or once in a lifetime. Thus, if one performed Hajj even once in a lifetime, the verse would have been acted upon, and that would have sufficed; there was no need to ask. However, the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) asked, and if the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had answered in the affirmative, Hajj would have become obligatory every year, and this would have been a great hardship for the Ummah, especially for those from distant lands—how could they go for Hajj every year? But the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) showed mercy to his Ummah and remained silent. When they asked again, he replied in the negative, meaning it is not obligatory every year, and for the future, he forbade them from asking unnecessary questions.
Explanation & Benefits
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Benefits and Issues:
➊
Hajj is only obligatory upon the person who possesses the means.
That is, one who can bear the expenses from the time of departure from home until return.
This includes the costs of food and drink, as well as the expenses for transportation, such as fare, etc.
➋
The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not declare anything obligatory or forbidden of his own accord; however, the questions of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) reflect their eagerness for worship.
It is possible that Allah Ta’ala might so love a particular good deed and the eagerness for it shown by the Companions that He would make it obligatory; therefore, the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) were prohibited from excessive questioning, lest a command be revealed that would become a cause of hardship for those who come after.
➌
The rulings of Islamic Shariah are easy and practicable; therefore, negligence in fulfilling them leads to deprivation.
➍
Hajj is obligatory only once in a lifetime.
A second Hajj will be considered voluntary (nafl).
However, if someone performed Hajj before reaching puberty or while in a state of slavery, then that Hajj will be considered voluntary (nafl).
After reaching puberty or upon gaining freedom, if one possesses the means, then performing Hajj again will be obligatory.
➊
Hajj is only obligatory upon the person who possesses the means.
That is, one who can bear the expenses from the time of departure from home until return.
This includes the costs of food and drink, as well as the expenses for transportation, such as fare, etc.
➋
The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not declare anything obligatory or forbidden of his own accord; however, the questions of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) reflect their eagerness for worship.
It is possible that Allah Ta’ala might so love a particular good deed and the eagerness for it shown by the Companions that He would make it obligatory; therefore, the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) were prohibited from excessive questioning, lest a command be revealed that would become a cause of hardship for those who come after.
➌
The rulings of Islamic Shariah are easy and practicable; therefore, negligence in fulfilling them leads to deprivation.
➍
Hajj is obligatory only once in a lifetime.
A second Hajj will be considered voluntary (nafl).
However, if someone performed Hajj before reaching puberty or while in a state of slavery, then that Hajj will be considered voluntary (nafl).
After reaching puberty or upon gaining freedom, if one possesses the means, then performing Hajj again will be obligatory.
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 2884
Shaykh Dr. Abdur Rahman Freywai
Commentary:
Note:
(In the chain of narration, Abu Al-Bakhtari was not a contemporary of nor did he hear from Ali radi Allahu anhu; therefore, the chain is disconnected [munqati‘].)
Note:
(In the chain of narration, Abu Al-Bakhtari was not a contemporary of nor did he hear from Ali radi Allahu anhu; therefore, the chain is disconnected [munqati‘].)
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi – Majlis ‘Ilmi Dar al-Da‘wah, New Delhi Edition, Page: 814
