Obligation and Restraint in Pilgrimage: A Hadith on Following the Prophet ﷺ

 

كِتَابُ الْحَجِّ

بَابُ الْاقْتِدَاءِ بِسُنِنِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ

 حديث ٥٢٤:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ النَّبِيِّ، قَالَ (وَلِمُسْلِمٍ: خَطَبْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ: أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ! قَدْ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ الْحَجَّ فَحُجُوا. فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ: أَكُلَّ عَامٍ يَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ؟ فَسَكَتَ، حَتَّى قَالَهَا ثَلَاثًا، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: لَوْ قُلْتُ : نَعَم؛ لَوَجَبَتْ، وَلَمَّا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ): دَعُونِي مَا تُرَكْتُكُمْ، إِنَّمَا هَلَكَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ بِسُؤَالِهِمْ، وَاخْتِلَافِهِمْ عَلَى أَنْبِيَائِهِمْ، فَإِذَا نَهَيْتُكُمْ عَنْ شَيْءٍ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ، وَإِذَا أَمْرُتُكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ فَأْتُوا مِنْهُ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ.

  

The Book of Pilgrimage (Kitāb al-Ḥajj)

Chapter One: Conformity to the Traditions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ

Hadith 524 

It is narrated from Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: (According to a narration in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ once addressed us, saying: "O people! Verily, Allah has enjoined upon you the pilgrimage; so perform the Ḥajj." Thereupon, a man asked, "Is it to be performed every year, O Messenger of Allah?" The Prophet ﷺ remained silent until the man repeated the question thrice. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Had I said yes, it would have become obligatory, and you would not have been able to bear it”. He ﷺ then said): "Leave me so long as I leave you. Indeed, those before you perished only due to their excessive questioning and their dissension with their prophets. Hence, when I prohibit you from something, abstain from it entirely; and when I command you with a matter, then carry out of it what lies within your capacity."

Reflection on the Hadith

1.     Hajj is an obligatory act once in a lifetime, as enjoined by Allah.

2.     Avoid unnecessary questioning in religious matters, especially in what may lead to added burdens.

3.     The Prophet’s silence has wisdom, and his guidance is based on mercy and foresight.

4.     Religious obligations should not be made harder than what Allah has prescribed.

5.     Nations before perished due to over-questioning and opposing their prophets.

6.     Obedience to the Prophet ﷺ is essential—follow his commands and avoid what he prohibited.

7.     Follow commands to the best of your ability, showing the religion’s balance and mercy.

8.   Excess in religion is discouraged; moderation and submission are core principles.