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1) Pilgrimage is an obligation for Muslims, according to the precepts of the Holy Quran and the Sunna (Practice of the Prophet and Companions.
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a) In the Quran God says:
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"Pilgrimage thereto is a duty that men owe to God, those who are able to make the journey".
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This means that Pilgrimage is a duty imposed on all Muslims and which they cannot avoid so long as they are able to find the means to do so.
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b) As for the Sunna, Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Prophet said in one of his speeches:
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"O people, pilgrimage is ordained for you – so fulfill it." Then al-Aqra' Ibn Habis asked: "Is it to be yearly, 0 Messenger of God?"
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To this the Prophet replied:
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"If I say so, it will be taken for an obligation which lies beyond your power... Pilgrimage is to be performed once, and whoever performs it more than once does so voluntarily".
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2) According to the above-mentioned hadith(saying of the Prophet), pilgrimage is a duty one owes to God once in the course of one's life; to do so more than once is voluntary. All the scholars (Ulama) have agreed upon this.
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3) As for the Lesser Pilgrimage, some scholars state that it is desirable, but not compulsory, quoting Abu Hurayra, who reported that the Prophet said:
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"Pilgrimage is a duty, but the Lesser Pilgrimage is optional." Once a Bedouin came to the Prophet and said: "0 Messenger of God tell me about the Umra, is it a duty ?"
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The Prophet answered: "No, but it is better for you that you perform it".
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4) The Messenger of God recommended the quick fulfillment of the pilgrimage:
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"He who intends to set out on a pilgrimage must hasten; he may fall sick, lose his means of conveyance, or be faced with poverty".
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