Manifestations of Tawhid in Hajj.

Question:
Hajj is one of the rites of this Ummah, which Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) made obligatory upon His servants, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught it to his Ummah, saying: “Take your rites from me.” The purpose of this great rite is to declare the Tawhid of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), to establish the remembrance of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and to dedicate servitude to Him (Glorified and Exalted is He). Perhaps at the beginning of this meeting, you could speak to us, may Allah preserve you, through this program about the manifestations of Tawhid in Hajj?

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. As for what follows, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) legislated Hajj to His Sacred House when He said: “And [due] to Allah from the people is the Hajj to the House for whoever is able to find a way thereto, and whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free of need of the worlds.” Therefore, Hajj to the House every year is a collective obligation; it is necessary that the House be visited every year, and if a sufficient number of people perform it, the sin is lifted from the rest. As for individuals, Allah made it obligatory only once in a lifetime for the one who is able. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: “And [due] to Allah from the people is the Hajj to the House for whoever is able to find a way thereto.” And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O people, Allah has made Hajj obligatory upon you, so perform Hajj.” A man said: “Every year, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent, then he said: “O people, Allah has made Hajj obligatory upon you, so perform Hajj.” That man said: “Every year, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent, then he said (peace and blessings be upon him): “O people, Allah has made Hajj obligatory upon you, so perform Hajj.” The man said: “Every year, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If I had said yes, it would have become obligatory every year, and you would not have been able to do it.” So Hajj is once in a lifetime for the one who is able, because Hajj is approached from far away; it has a cost and hardship, and it is a form of jihad in the path of Allah. Among His favors and facilitations (Glorified and Exalted is He) is that He made it once in a lifetime for the one who is able. This is regarding individuals; as for the Muslim community as a whole, it is necessary that the House be visited every year: “And [due] to Allah from the people is the Hajj to the House for whoever is able to find a way thereto.” The ability to find a way means having the appropriate provisions and mount that suffice for the journey there and back, and having enough to support those left behind, along with safety on the road. If these conditions are met, Hajj becomes obligatory for the Muslim once in a lifetime, and anything beyond that is voluntary. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Follow one Hajj with another 'Umrah, for they expiate poverty and sins just as the bellows expel the dross of iron, gold, and silver.” He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever comes to this House and does not commit lewdness or sin returns as his mother bore him.” Undoubtedly, the banner of Hajj; the banner of the one in Ihram is the Talbiyah of Tawhid: “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am.” Thus, Tawhid is declared for Allah (Mighty and Majestic), as Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) said: “And [mention] when We assigned to Ibrahim the place of the House: ‘Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who circumambulate and those who stand and those who bow and prostrate.’” So this House is built upon Tawhid; the singling out of Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) for worship. It must be purified from shirk, religious innovations, and newly invented matters, and prepared for the Muslims. Allah has appointed for this House in our present time this righteous government, which manages the affairs of pilgrims and those performing 'Umrah, and provides them with the means. This is from the favor of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) upon us and upon all people; it is a great blessing that Allah has bestowed upon this blessed state, and He has facilitated for it and subjected to it what enables it to uphold this great pillar of the pillars of Islam, and to provide safety for the pilgrims, provide for their sustenance, and provide them with comfort. This is from the facilitation of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) for this Muslim community that comes to this House. As Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: “And did We not make for them a secure sanctuary to which the fruits of every thing would be brought as provision?” And He (the Exalted) said: “And whoever enters it will be secure,” meaning they will be safe, and Allah has made easy for them those who ensure the safety of the pilgrims and those performing 'Umrah, and praise be to Allah. In every era, Allah facilitates for this House those who manage its affairs and take charge of the pilgrims and those performing 'Umrah, and this is from the favor and facilitation of Allah.