Describe the conditions that must be satisfied before embarking on Hajj.

Answer Details

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime upon every Muslim who is able. Before a person embarks on it, certain conditions (shurut) must be satisfied. These fall into conditions of obligation and conditions of validity.

1. Islam. The pilgrim must be a Muslim. Hajj is an act of worship, and no act of worship is accepted from a non-believer.

2. Sanity (‘Aql). The person must be of sound mind. The insane is not held responsible in Shari‘ah until reason returns.

3. Maturity (Bulugh). The pilgrim should have attained the age of puberty. A child may perform Hajj, but it does not discharge the obligatory Hajj of adulthood.

4. Freedom (Hurriyyah). The person should be free, not a slave, since a slave is occupied with the service of his master.

5. Physical ability (health). The pilgrim must be physically strong enough to bear the rigours of the journey and the rites at Makkah, Mina, ‘Arafah and Muzdalifah.

6. Financial capability (Istita‘ah). He must possess lawful wealth sufficient for his transport, feeding and lodging to and from Makkah, over and above the maintenance of his dependants left behind, and free from debt.

7. Security of the route. The road to Makkah must be safe from war, banditry and disease, so that life and property are not endangered.

8. Provision and mount (Zad wa Rahilah). He must have provisions for the journey and a means of conveyance.

9. Mahram or safe company for a woman. A woman must travel with her husband or a mahram (a relative she cannot marry), or in trustworthy, safe company, so that her honour is protected.

10. The prescribed time. Hajj is performed only in the months of Shawwal, Dhul-Qa‘dah and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. It cannot be validly performed outside these months.

Allah says: "And Hajj to the House is a duty owed to Allah by mankind, for whoever is able to find a way to it" (Q3:97). When all these conditions are met, the Muslim is obliged to embark on Hajj without delay.