Mecca was recognized by Arabs...

Mecca was recognized by Arabs, as inviolable for the pursuit of revenge or violence, and now it is held pure and sacred more than before. In the next sentence, Allah orders the pilgrimage there to which is obligatory and incumbent upon those who can afford it. This pilgrimage was established by ADAM, and made an official duty by ABRAHAM, to be preformed by worshippers of Allah, observing certain rules and rites.

The verse also implies that this pilgrimage is not especialized for Muslims, like the other commandment. It is rather the duty of all mankind who can afford to perform it. [ 390 ] The only term or condition for the pilgrim is the ability to afford - i.e. having enough physical power and provisions to perform the rites. As for the importance of the pilgrimage we should call to mind that our prophet said to HAZRAT IMAM ALI: ``O, Ali!

He who can afford the pilgrimage and perform it not is an infidel, because Allah has made it incumbent upon those who…