On the conditions of pilgrimage, His Eminence, the late Religious Authority, Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah (ra), says:
“And pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah, (upon) everyone who is able to undertake the journey to it.” Surah Al Imran (03:97).
The narrations have talked about determining the capability both in terms of the provisions and the means of travelling, on one hand, [determined] according to certain legal terms mentioned in jurisprudence books, and the physical ability to endure the journey, on the other hand. So let us discuss the matter in the following points:
First: Many traditions of Ahl El-Beit (a.s.) have talked about the impermissibility of keeping the Ka’ba empty at any time, for it is narrated that Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “[Fear] Allah, and keep Allah in the matter of the House of your Lord ; do not leave it empty as long as you live, for if it is deserted, you will be given no respite.”
Second: Pilgrimage is incumbent on the Muslim the moment they become able to undertake the journey; thus, it is forbidden to delay or forsake it.
Third: The duty of pilgrimage in incumbent on whoever has the capability to undertake the journey and this capability means that one should physically and financially be able to afford the journey, not to mention the ability to reach the rites freely and safely, for it is narrated that once Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) was asked about the meaning of the following verse: “And pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah, (upon) everyone who is able to undertake the journey to it,” he said that it is incumbent on whoever is of a good health, their trip is safe and they have what could sustain them and the means of travelling.
On top of that, to be deemed able to perform pilgrimage, they should ensure that their family members have enough money to support themselves until they return, as they are responsible of sustaining them.
If someone borrows money and was able to pay it back on time, and they perform pilgrimage using that money, then their pilgrimage is valid and they are considered to have fulfilled the duty of pilgrimage, as they are deemed able to undertake the journey provided that their health enables them to perform the rites naturally and without any problems, although some authorities do not agree on this point, but if someone pays them the expenses of pilgrimage, then they would be considered as capable.
Fourth: Pilgrimage is incumbent on all people, and not on a group of people only…
[(Interpretation) inspired from the Quran, vol. 6, p: 168 and afterwards]
Translated by: Manal Samhat
On the conditions of pilgrimage, His Eminence, the late Religious Authority, Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah (ra), says:
“And pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah, (upon) everyone who is able to undertake the journey to it.” Surah Al Imran (03:97).
The narrations have talked about determining the capability both in terms of the provisions and the means of travelling, on one hand, [determined] according to certain legal terms mentioned in jurisprudence books, and the physical ability to endure the journey, on the other hand. So let us discuss the matter in the following points:
First: Many traditions of Ahl El-Beit (a.s.) have talked about the impermissibility of keeping the Ka’ba empty at any time, for it is narrated that Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “[Fear] Allah, and keep Allah in the matter of the House of your Lord ; do not leave it empty as long as you live, for if it is deserted, you will be given no respite.”
Second: Pilgrimage is incumbent on the Muslim the moment they become able to undertake the journey; thus, it is forbidden to delay or forsake it.
Third: The duty of pilgrimage in incumbent on whoever has the capability to undertake the journey and this capability means that one should physically and financially be able to afford the journey, not to mention the ability to reach the rites freely and safely, for it is narrated that once Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) was asked about the meaning of the following verse: “And pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah, (upon) everyone who is able to undertake the journey to it,” he said that it is incumbent on whoever is of a good health, their trip is safe and they have what could sustain them and the means of travelling.
On top of that, to be deemed able to perform pilgrimage, they should ensure that their family members have enough money to support themselves until they return, as they are responsible of sustaining them.
If someone borrows money and was able to pay it back on time, and they perform pilgrimage using that money, then their pilgrimage is valid and they are considered to have fulfilled the duty of pilgrimage, as they are deemed able to undertake the journey provided that their health enables them to perform the rites naturally and without any problems, although some authorities do not agree on this point, but if someone pays them the expenses of pilgrimage, then they would be considered as capable.
Fourth: Pilgrimage is incumbent on all people, and not on a group of people only…
[(Interpretation) inspired from the Quran, vol. 6, p: 168 and afterwards]
Translated by: Manal Samhat