Why is the Hajj an obligation in the Islam faith?

Answer 1

Praise be to Allaah.

We Muslims feel honoured and proud to be the slaves of Allaah, the One, the Self-Sufficient Master, Who begets not nor was He begotten, and there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him; He is our Lord and we have no Lord besides Him. Hence we respond to the commands of our Lord with the utmost humility and submit to His commands, for we know that He is the All-Wise and no wisdom is greater than His. We know that He is the Most-Merciful and there is none more merciful than Him, may He be glorified and praised. Hence we love Him in a way that demands that we obey His commands even if that is somewhat difficult for us. We feel proud, happy and content when we do that which He commands us to do.

For if a human loves another person, he loves to serve him and that may make him happy. So what do you think about the Almighty Lord Who created us and grants us provision, and everything that we have is a blessing from Him? And His is the highest description. We owe everything to our Lord, so we must hasten to do all that He commands us to do, so that we might give back some small thanks for His great blessings. We can never thank Him enough, but by His grace Allaah the Most Generous accepts our small efforts and rewards us for them greatly.

For example, Hajj or pilgrimage. If a Muslim does Hajj in the manner required by his Lord, then Allaah has promised to forgive him his sins and admit him to Paradise, on condition that he does not spoil this action by committing any major action that would invalidate it and earn the anger of Allaah.

One of the great mercies that Allaah has bestowed upon this ummah (nation, i.e., the Muslims), is that Allaah has made obedience to His commands and the commands of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) subject to the condition that one be able to do them. So long as a person is able to do them, then it is obligatory for him to do what is required of him, otherwise he is not obliged to do so and he is excused. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope"

[al-Baqarah 2:286] - i.e., He does not ask him to do more than he can bear.

Concerning Hajj in particular, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence)"

[Aal 'Imraan 3:97]

By His mercy He has enjoined this upon His slaves once in a lifetime, so that it will not be too difficult for them, but He urges those who are able to do Hajj and 'Umrah more than once to do so. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Keep on doing Hajj and 'Umrah, for they take away poverty and sins as the bellows takes away the impurity from iron." (Narrated by al-Nasaa'i, 2/4; this is a saheeh hadeeth as was stated by al-Albaani in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 1200).

This great act of worship was prescribed by Allaah so that we might praise Him and glorify Him, and thank Him for His great blessings and bounty. The purpose of Tawaaf around the Ka'bah is not simply to go around these stones! No, rather the reason is that Allaah has commanded us to go around it seven times and we obey Allaah by going around it seven times, no more and no less; rather we do what He has commanded us and we feel that we are His slaves, humbling ourselves before Him and praising Him and thanking Him for choosing us to be His slaves out of all of mankind who worship various gods, and may even worship themselves or their own desires.

The same applies to all the rituals of Hajj, and indeed to all the acts of worship that Allaah has prescribed for us. Praise be to Allaah, Who has honoured us with this great religion.

Source: Islam Q & A (http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/22466/)

Answer 2

Hajj (or pilgrimage) is the fifth pillar of the 5 Islam pillars. That is why it obligatory. However, it is an obligation for only once in life and for only the adult who can afford it from the health (in body and mind), financial, and security aspects. As every one respects the nation's flag as a symbol although it is just a piece of cloth, Muslims respect the Kaaba and regard it as the first house of worship founded on earth and as a place where they can get closer to their Creator's mercy and forgiveness by having such a tiring trip, that costs time, money and effort.

In Hajj every Muslim goes to Makkah (Mca in English), prays at the Holy Sanctuary of Ka'ba along with other rites.

Makkah in Quran (6:92 & 42:7) is called 'Ummul Qura'' (lit. Mother of Cities) i.e. Metropolis. Ka'ba is symbolically the Divine Palace in the Capital. So Hajj is symbolically a revival of oath of allegiance to Allah-the Lord and the King of this World. While every Muslim, being the citizen of Divine Kingdom, is supposed to obey the commandments of Allah wherever he is. But once in lifetime if he can afford he is required to come to the Holy City of Makkah as a mark of his absolute submission to the Will of the Almighty. Relate it to the chanting of pilgrims 'Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik', 'I submit My Lord, I submit!'

Answer 3

To cleanse your spiritual self, I think.