WHY DO MUSLIMS GO ON HAJJ

Pilgrims performing Tawaf 

WHAT IS HAJJ IN ISLAM

Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) is the 5th pillar of Islam. The word Hajj comes from the Arabic word Hajja, the literal meaning of which is to move towards something.

In Islam, Hajj means to go to the Sacred house (Ka'bah) and perform certain actions.

Hajj starts on 8th dhul hijjah (12th month of Islamic Calender) and ends on either 12th or 13th.

Read about the virtues of dhul-hijjah (The month of Hajj) here.

RULINGS ON HAJJ

HAJJ IS OBLIGATORY UPON EVERY ADULT AND SANE MUSLIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IT.

"And Hajj to the House (ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves (denies hajj),  then Allah stands not in need of the Aalameen. (mankind, jinn and all that exists [The Quran 3:97]

So if you are in  good health, having the financial means, means of transportation, sufficient funds to spend on those whom you are obliged to spend, sufficient provision for the journey and a Mahram in case you are a woman, then it is obligatory for you to perform Hajj atleast once in a lifetime.

It is a sin if you do not go for it though you are able to.

It was Narrated that Abdullah ibn Abbas said : 

Al-Fadl was riding behind the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when a woman from Khath'am came and Al-Fadl started looking at her and she at him, and the Prophet  صلى الله عليه وسلم  turned Al-Fadl's face to the other side. 

She said:  "Oh Messenger of Allah, Allah's command to His slaves to do Hajj has come when my father is an old man and cannot sit firmly in the saddle; can I do Hajj on his behalf?" 

 He said: " Yes. "

And that was during the farewell pilgrimage. 

(Al Bukhari, 4/135)

THE BEST OF JIHAD IS AN ACCEPTED HAJJ

Aishah رضي الله عنها said: "Oh Messenger of Allah, we see that Jihaad is the best of deeds, should we not go for Jihad?" 
He said: " No, but the best of Jihad is an accepted Hajj."

(Al Bukhari, 2/135)

According to another version she said: 

"Do women have to go for Jihaad?"
 He said:

"Yes, they have to go for a Jihaad in which there is no fighting: Hajj and Umrah."

(Ibn Maajah, 2901, hasan Isnad)

Pilgrims on Hajj walking towards Mount Arafat

THE REWARD OF AN ACCEPTED HAJJ

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه said: I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم say:

"Whoever does Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not commit any obscenity or wickedness, will come back (free of sin) as on the day his mother bore him."

(Muslim, 2/283)

SubhanAllah ! Such is the virtue of an accepted Hajj. 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF HAJJ

Let's take a look at the history of hajj.

The origin of Hajj routes back to one of the major Prophets of Islam, Ibrahim عليه السلام. 
Infact, many rituals of hajj come directly from him and his family.

The rite of Sa'i (walking 7 times between Safa and Marwa) is the commemoration of the act of his wife Hajar when she ran between the two hills in search of water for her son, Ismaeel.

It was Ibrahim عليه السلام who built the Kabah along with his son Ismaeel.

The sacrifice offered on Eid ul Adha is a legacy of Ibrahim عليه السلام when he was asked to sacrifice his beloved son, only to find out later that it was merely a test of his submission from Allah عزوجل.

Stoning at Jamarat is also an act of imitating Ibrahim عليه السلام when Iblees appeared to him in that place to tempt him to sin. Allaah commanded him to throw stones at him so as to drive him away.

ENJOINING OF HAJJ

The Arabs at the time of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم were already familiar with Hajj and that was long before Islam came.

Look at the following verse of Surah Al-Hajj-

“And proclaim (O Ibrahim) to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj)” 

[22:27]

Ibn Katheer says in his commentary on this verse (3/221):

"This means: Proclaim (O Ibraaheem) the Hajj to the people, calling them to come on pilgrimage to this House which We have commanded you to build. 

It was mentioned that he said, “O Lord, how can I proclaim it to the people when my voice does not reach them?” 

He said, “Call and We will convey it.” 

So he stood in his maqaam (station) – or it was said, on the rock, or on al-Safa, or on Abu Qubays (a mountain) – and said:
“O people, your Lord has taken a House, so come to it on pilgrimage.” 

And it was said that the mountains lowered themselves so that his voice could reach all parts of the earth and those who were still in the wombs or in men’s loins also heard, and everything that heard him, cities, nomad encampments and trees,
And everyone whom Allaah has decreed should perform Hajj until the Day of Resurrection responded, (saying) Labbayk Allaahumma labbayk (Here I am, O Allaah, here I am.)" 

This is the summary of what was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas, Mujaahid, ‘Ikrimah, Sa’eed ibn Jubayr and others among the salaf.
And Allaah knows best. 

 (Source - Islamqa)

This has to do with the history of the enjoining of Hajj before the sending of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

With regard to the enjoining of Hajj in Islam, there is a difference of opinion among scholars. It was said that it was enjoined in 6 AH, or in 7 AH, or in 9 AH, or in 10 AH.

THE PURPOSE OF HAJJ IS TO ESTABLISH THE REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH

Hajj is done following the actions of Prophet Muhammad's صلى الله عليه وسلم  "farewell pilgrimage." It is done so as to obey Allah عزوجل by following his commands.

At Hajj, each person stands helpless before Allah عزوجل , in hope of HIS Mercy and Forgiveness.

It is also a reminder of our ultimate fate (Aakhirah).  Millions of people from all over the world gather together leaving behind their worldly life and realising the purpose of their existence.

People get a chance to revive their relationship with Allah سبحانه وتعالى by feeling close to HIM.

People from all background, class and ethnicity gather together for one purpose, reminding us that no one is superior over the other.

At the end, all that will matter is your intentions and deeds done in this world for the sake of Allah عزوجل. These deeds will decide whether one is going to be successful or wretched.

May Allah سبحانه وتعالى make it easy for the pilgrims and accept their Ibadah and HE سبحانه وتعالى give all of us a chance to perform an accepted Hajj atleast once in a lifetime. ! Ameen.