Hajj

Hajj (; Arabic: حَجّ, romanized: Ḥajj; also spelled Hadj, Haj or Haji) is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for capable Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, and of supporting their family during their absence from home.
In Islamic terminology, Hajj is a pilgrimage made to the Kaaba, the "House of Allah", in the sacred city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 6 years ago

Hajj is obligatory immediately when we are able to perform it. Knowledge about basic rules of Hajj and Prayers is must which is simple and can be obtained in short time. Less knowledge about general teachings of Islam  does not mean an excuse to postpone Hajj.

You will get more blessings of Hajj as your intention is more sincere to perform this great worship and submit to and follow the Prophet (SAWA) and his Ahlul Bayt (AS).

The sincere performance of Hajj opens gates for more blessings , wealth and knowledge.

Wassalam.

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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 6 years ago

It is required for us , not only before performing Hajj, but always, to give back the rights of others and seek pardon from any one who was wronged by us whether intentionally or unintentionally. When we intend to travel for Hajj, we need to be sure that no liability is on us for any one.

Divorce is the most disliked allowed act in Islam, and it should not happen unless there is no way at all for the couple to continue together. Divorce should not involve any act of injustice or backbiting or insult to the other party or any of his/ her  family members. If such act of injustice has taken place, we must apologize and seek pardon from the person who was wronged by us.

Wassalam.

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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 6 years ago

Obligatory Hajj is Must on every Muslim who can perform it and no other worship can replace it. Visitation to Karbala is very great but not in stead of obligatory Hajj.

Visitation of Imam Husain (AS) in Karbala is greater in reward than recommended Hajj and Umra.

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Abbas Jaffer, Sheikh Abbas Jaffer is an optometrist by profession and has a Master’s degree in Islamic Sciences. He is a part time lecturer at the Islamic College in London and is currently writing his doctoral... Answer updated 6 years ago

The Haj is wajib to perform for a person who is able (mustati').

Despite the very regrettable action of the regime in power in the region, our Maraje' have not guided otherwise.

The constant Shi'a presence is vital in this global gathering of Muslims and you should go if as soon as you are able.

Regards

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 6 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Among the calamities that have befell the Muslim Ummah is that oppressors have usurped positions and taken control of holy places. This dates all the way back to the Umayyad Dynasty. 

As you have read, during a certain time in the Abassid era, Ziyarah of Imam Husain (a.s.) was restricted, and if one was to visit  they would have to offer their hand to be cut off. People still went. They sacrificed everything to keep holy places full of the true followers of Islam. 

This is how we need to think of visiting the holy land of Meccah and Medinah. If we vacate it from our presence, it will further strengthen the enemies of Islam. It is for this reason that all our Jurists, and throughout history, have always said Hajj is wajib should one meet the fiqhi requirements of 'Istita'ah

I believe it is a wrong misconception that performing Hajj pilgrimage validates the Saudi regime, or any other fallacy arguments that would deprive one from performing their Wajib obligation. 

Please re-think your decision, and refer to the juristic views of our Fuqaha' in regards to the obligation of Hajj, and how we will be able to contribute so much by our presence in the holy land of Meccah and Medina.

And Allah knows best.

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Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 6 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

In this case, for the acts of Hajj in which taharah is wajib, like tawaf and salat tawaf, she will need to readjust certain things, the details of which are in Fiqh books. 

As for Ziyarah, she can still go to the holy shrines, but there are certain areas in which she will not be able to enter into. The boundaries of these areas differ in each shrine, and so she should ask until where is she able to go to. 

And Allah knows best. 

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Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 6 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Besides the shar'i side of when and how Hajj becomes obligatory, I would like to add that Hajj pilgrimage is a life changing experience. 

As Muslims we face the holy Ka'bah on a daily basis. We relate very much to it, and if we were to visit it we will expand in our visualising of this relationship we have with the House of Allah ta'ala. 

This is why travelling to Meccah al-Mukarramah at an early age will have a great impact on our identity and mould our religious personalities. 

Sadly, we see that the common trend is we postpone Hajj until we are of old age, and that Hajj is only for old people. Or that we do Hajj after we get married and have children and a stable, and so on.

But this should not be the case. If from a very young age we put aside some savings for Hajj, we would be fortunate to perform this life changing pilgrimage, and benefit from its many fruits, and then frequently repeat to go there as many times as we can. 

This is why I would say that the earlier one can go to Hajj, the better. 

And Allah knows best.

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 6 years ago

Hajj is an obligatory worship on every Muslim who is able to perform it. It becomes obligatory immediately on the ability to perform it. There is no option to delay it when there is ability. In fact, delaying Hajj after ability is a sinful act. A person who delays Hajj will not die as a Muslim if he dies before performing Hajj ( يقال لتارك الحج إذا مات مت إن شئت يهوديا أو نصرانيا ).

 There is no age limit in Hajj. Hajj Must be performed immediately when we are able to perform it.

Masuma Jaffer, Dr Masuma Jaffer is a qualified dentist, with a Masters in Islamic Studies and has also attended Hawza in Qum. She obtained a PGCE - teaching qualification – and has taught Hawza studies at the... Answered 6 years ago

The best age is in the 'hands' of Allah - He will call us to His house when it is the best time for each of us.

Hajj becomes obligatory (Wajib) on a Muslim as soon as s/he becomes baligh and is able financially, physically, and time-wise and so should be performed in that year, no matter what the age is.

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Abolfazl Sabouri, Abolfazl Sabouri is based in New Zealand and has an MA in Jurisprudence and Islamic Studies. He is a graduate of Elmiyeh seminary in Qom with more than 15 years of study and research where he has... Answered 7 years ago

If you believe going to Hajj now is a kind of helping the oppressors, yes. 

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Rebecca Masterton, Dr Rebecca Masterton graduated with a BA in Japanese Language and Literature; an MA in Comparative East Asian and African Literature and a PhD in Islamic literature of West Africa. She has been... Answer updated 7 years ago

Back in 2003 when I was coming to the Shi'i path, I investigated the fiqh for going for hajj. According to both the Shafi'i School and the Ithna'ashari school, a mahram can be a group of women, or even one another woman. As Mrs. Donati says, the issue is one of safety.

If you are talking about actual Saudi law, which prohibits unmarried women from going on hajj, some women still do travel with their brothers, as an example.

Therefore, different schools of thought in Sunni Islam have different rulings, and the Shafi'i School is in accord with the Twelver School.

Zeinab Donati, Zeinab Donati has been studying books about various Islamic subjects for more than 26 years. She is deeply interested in history and politics as well as social issues in particular those pertaining... Answered 7 years ago

Assalamu aleykum,
Thanks for your question. 
There is no rulings against performing Hajj, Umra or Ziyarat for a woman accordingly to Shi'a Fiqh, the issue is only about safety. It is not clear what you mean by "a group of other Muslimahs". Do you mean an organized group? 
The issue again is not Islamic ruling, but safety and the difficulty to get a visa to visit countries like Iraq and Iran. The most logical way is to find a hamla, a group specialized in caravans to visit holy places. Try to find a few local ones, inshaAllah they will explain you in details what is needed and the procedures.
They could be able to able to help out to perform Hajj and/or Umrah in some cases.
In preparation of any pilgrimage, I suggest you to read "Your Personal Guide to Hajj Umrah Ziyarat" at:
https://www.al-islam.org/your-personal-guide-hajj-umrah-ziyarat-alhaj-ma...