Hajj, the pilgrimage to the Ka‘bah in Makkah, is one of the five pillars (farā’idh) of Islam. It is a fundamental obligation that every Muslim must perform at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Islam is built on five pillars: the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, establishing prayer, giving zakat, fasting Ramadan, and performing Hajj to the House (Ka‘bah) if one is able.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
This article will explore the basics of Hajj through the teachings of the hadith: why we perform it, its reward, when it became a pillar of Islam, and the Prophet ﷺ’s own experience of Hajj.
Why Do We Perform Hajj?
We perform Hajj because Allah ﷻ has commanded it. It is not a cultural tradition or a symbolic act. It is an obligation from the Creator to His servants. In the Qur’an, Allah says:
“Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people.” (Surah Aal-‘Imran, 3:97)
This command was lived, explained, and practiced by the Prophet ﷺ – and preserved for us through authentic hadith.
One such hadith, found in Sahih Muslim, states:
“O people! Allah has made Hajj obligatory for you, so perform Hajj.”
(Muslim, 1337)
The Prophet ﷺ clarified not only its obligation but its rituals, spirit, and reward – turning Hajj into a living legacy, generation after generation.
When Did Hajj Become a Pillar of Islam?
Hajj was made obligatory in the ninth year after Hijrah, after the conquest of Makkah. At that time, the Muslims had regained control of the Ka‘bah, and the conditions for performing Hajj were now established. The command came through the ayah that was just mentioned above.
This marked Hajj as one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, to be fulfilled by every able Muslim at least once in their lifetime.
The Prophet ﷺ also confirmed this in the famous hadith narrated by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar:
“Islam is built on five: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, giving zakat, fasting in Ramadan, and performing Hajj to the House if one is able.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
When Did the Prophet ﷺ Perform Hajj?
The Prophet ﷺ performed only one Hajj in his lifetime — the Farewell Hajj (Hajjatul Wada’), in the 10th year after Hijrah. It was a momentous event where over 100,000 companions gathered to witness his final teachings.
He led every step of the pilgrimage, showing how to perform Hajj with precision, patience, and sincerity. His khutbah during this Hajj, known as the Farewell Sermon, became a timeless message of justice, equality, and submission to Allah.
While seated on his mount during Hajj, the Prophet ﷺ addressed the people and said:
“O people, take your rituals from me, for perhaps I will not meet you again after this year.”
(Muslim, 1297)
This emotional announcement made it clear to the companions that this was not just a teaching, it was also a farewell. The Prophet ﷺ was preparing his Ummah to carry his message forward, knowing that his mission was nearing completion.
Completion of the Religion at the Farewell Hajj
During the Farewell Hajj, Allah revealed a profound verse signifying the completion and perfection of Islam as a way of life. The verse is:
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:3)
This ayah was revealed at or near the time of the Prophet’s ﷺ final pilgrimage, marking the completion of the divine guidance sent to humanity. It signified that the laws, teachings, and framework of Islam were now fully established and ready to guide Muslims until the end of time.
The Farewell Hajj, therefore, was not only the Prophet’s final pilgrimage but also the moment when Islam was declared complete by Allah’s command.
The Reward of Hajj
The reward of a sincere, accepted Hajj is beyond imagination. In an authentic hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s sake and does not engage in obscene speech or commit sin, will return like the day his mother gave birth to him.”
(Bukhari, 1521)
Another narration describes Hajj as a gateway to Paradise:
“An accepted Hajj brings no reward except Paradise.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
Every moment of Hajj – the tawaf, the sa’i, the standing in Arafah, even the fatigue – is rewarded by Allah. The hadith literature gives us a glimpse of just how beloved this act is in the sight of our Lord.
In Conclusion
Hajj is not only a physical journey; it is a journey through the hadith, through the footsteps of the Prophet ﷺ. It is a pillar of Islam, a command of Allah, and a sacred connection to the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام — all taught, preserved, and explained through the authentic sayings and actions of our Messenger ﷺ.
May Allah allow us to perform Hajj sincerely for His sake, and may He accept it from us.
Ameen.