Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessing be upon His Messenger. Hajj (Pilgrimage) has detailed implications that may escape the notice of many readers of the Quran. It is a definite obligation for Muslims according to the percepts of the Holy Quran and the Sunna. Allah, The Elevated, says: "Allah has ordained on all people the pilgrimage to the House (Ka'ba) for those who are capable of performing it. And whoever disbelieves (let him know) that Allah is in no need of His creatures."

Pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, as Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "Islam is based on five: Testifying that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing prayers, paying Zakat, fasting Ramadan, and pilgrimage to sacred Sanctuary of Allah (Ka'ba)." This means that Pilgrimage is a duty imposed on all Muslims and which they cannot avoid as long as they are able to find the means to do so. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who intends to set out on a Pilgrimage must hasten." Thus the Messenger of Allah recommended the quick fulfillment of the Pilgrimage. And, in one of his speeches, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "O people, Pilgrimage is ordained for you, so fulfil it."

Pilgrimage is among the best deeds. Abu Horiera (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked: "Which is the best among deeds?" He replied: "Believing in Allah and His Messenger." It was said: "Then what?" He replied: "Then Jihad (Fighting) for the sake of Allah." It was said: "Then what?" He replied: "Pious Pilgrimage." Pious Pilgrimage is the one that is not mixed with sins. And as Al-Hassan Al-Basry said: "Pious pilgrimage is the one from which the pilgrim returns with the feeling of letting go of the glitter of this world and seeking the pleasure of the hereafter.

It has also been narrated that Pilgrimage is Jihad, as reported by Bukhari and Muslim that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "O Messenger of Allah, you say that Jihad is the best among the deeds, shall we then go for Jihad?" The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: "The best Jihad is a Pious Pilgrimage." In another narration Aisha asked: "O Messenger of Allah, shouldn't we go out for Jihad with you? The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: "But the best form of Jihad is Pious Pilgrimage." Aisha said: "I will not miss Pilgrimage after I heard that from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)."

Hajj and Umrah are means of erasing one's sins. Bukhari and Muslim reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Umrah to Umrah are an atonement to what is between them, and the Pious Hajj has no reward but Paradise." Also, Al-Nisa'ii and Ibn-Majah reported that Abu Horiera (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: " Pilgrims and those who are performing Umrah are the guests of Allah, if they ask Him, He will answer, and if they seek His forgiveness, He will forgive them."