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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Guidebook for Women on Rites of Hajj Conditions for Pilgrimage The holy Quran and the traditions of the Ahlul Bayt (pbuth) say that any mature person who fulfills certain conditions is required to perform Hajj. Hajj is a pillar of Islam. If all the conditions are fulfilled but still pilgrimage is not performed then it is considered to be a major/great sin. Not accepting it as an obligatory part of Islam is blasphemy.

Allah (swt) says in Qur'an: فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۖ وَمَنْ دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ.

"In it are clear signs, the standing place of Abraham, and whoever enters it shall be secure, 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; and whoever disbelieves, then surely Allah is Self-sufficient, above any need of the worlds " (Surah Ali-‘Imran, 3:97) Rules for Pilgrimage Conditions l. One should be mature ( baligh ). On should be sane.

Therefore an insane or under age person cannot perform obligatory pilgrimage. If an underage child performs pilgrimage then it will be valid but not considered " Hajjut-al-Islam ''. One should be free, that is a female slave cannot perform obligatory pilgrimage even if she has the means. Means: a. Financial: Sufficient finances to fulfill one's needs. b. Physical health: One should be healthy and strong enough to perform all the rites without any difficulty. c.

Situation: One should have enough time to reach Makkah and perform all the rites. If the previous conditions are fulfilled, but one faces problems in this one, then pilgrimage does not become obligatory. d. Peaceful situation: The conditions in all the Holy places to be visited should be peaceful. Questions and Answers Q1. Is a husband's permission needed for an obligatory pilgrimage?

Ans: lf a (house wife) has enough financial resources and she fulfills all other conditions then for an obligatory pilgrimage the husband's permission is not required and he does not have the right to stop her from performing her religious duty. But for a recommended pilgrimage the husband's permission is needed. Q2. During the iddah (waiting period) of revocable divorce is it necessary to get the husband's permission for an obligatory pilgrimage?

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