Ḥajj is the fifth pillar of Islam: the pilgrimage to the Sacred House of Allah in Makkah, performed in the appointed days of Dhū al-Ḥijjah.

Allah states the obligation, and ties it to ability:

فِيهِ ءَايَـٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَـٰتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنًا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

Meaning: And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House — for whoever is able to find a way.

Who must perform Hajj?

Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime for a Muslim who meets the conditions of ability.

Ability is more than wanting to go. It means being physically capable, having lawful means sufficient for the journey, and being able to travel safely without abandoning the responsibilities already owed to others.

The Prophet ﷺ explained that Allah has made Hajj obligatory — and, when asked whether it was due every year, made clear that it is not.

What happens during Hajj?

The rites recall Prophet Ibrāhīm, his family, and the final Messenger ﷺ. In outline:

  • Entering the state of iḥrām.
  • Reciting the talbiyah.
  • Circling the Kaʿbah in ṭawāf.
  • Walking between Ṣafā and Marwah.
  • Standing at ʿArafah.
  • Spending the night at Muzdalifah, and the days at Minā.
  • Offering the required sacrifice where it applies.
  • Shaving or shortening the hair.
  • Completing the closing rites.

The talbiyah, which pilgrims call out on entering iḥrām, is:

Labbayka Allāhumma labbayk, labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk, inna al-ḥamda wa al-niʿmata laka wa al-mulk, lā sharīka lak.

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

Meaning: Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Indeed all praise and blessing belong to You, and the dominion. You have no partner.

Anyone preparing to go should learn the rulings beforehand, with a qualified teacher or a reliable Hajj programme.

What does Hajj teach?

Hajj gathers Muslims of every nationality, language and social background into the same worship, in near-identical clothing, performing the same rites. The message is difficult to miss: worldly standing counts for nothing before Allah.

The journey trains sincerity, patience, repentance, equality, sacrifice, reliance upon Allah, and remembrance of the Hereafter.

The Prophet ﷺ taught that an accepted Hajj has no reward less than Paradise, and that whoever performs Hajj without obscenity or wrongdoing returns cleansed of sin as on the day their mother bore them.

The aim was never simply to reach Makkah. A Hajj that succeeded shows itself afterwards — in lasting repentance, humility and obedience once the pilgrim is home again. The verse above sits in Sūrah Āl ʿImrān; the pillar it completes is mapped on the Learn Islam page.