The Obligation of Hajj — Conditions and Pillars
fiqh
Level: basic
hajj
fqh-005
وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ مَنِ ٱسۡتَطَاعَ إِلَيۡهِ سَبِيلٗا
— آل عمران 97
Verse: "And upon Allah is the right of people to make pilgrimage to the House — for whoever is able to find a way to it." (3:97)
Conditions for Hajj obligation: Islam, puberty, sanity, capability (financial, physical, safe travel) — once in a lifetime.
Four pillars of Hajj: (1) Ihram from the miqat. (2) Standing at Arafat (9 Dhul Hijjah) — "Hajj is Arafat." (3) Tawaf Al-Ifadha. (4) Sa'y between Safa and Marwa.
Capability is a condition: The incapable have no Hajj obligation — "Whoever disbelieves" here emphasizes that a capable person who neglects it is like one ungrateful for the blessing.
Source: Al-Qurtubi (4/148); Ibn Qudama (3/214); Al-Jassas (2/315)
Question: What is the greatest pillar of Hajj without which it is invalid?
Answer: Standing at Arafat — "Hajj is Arafat" as in the authentic hadith, a pillar that cannot be compensated by blood sacrifice.