This is also supported by the Prophet’s statement, when he was asked whether Hajj was required every year: “Hajj is once; whatever is beyond that is voluntary.” (1) This is excepted where there is a reason, such as a vow. Whoever vows to perform Hajj must do so, for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever vows to obey Allah, let him obey Him.” (2)

Wisdom and mercy also require this, for if it were obligatory more than once, it would impose hardship upon many people—especially those living in distant lands, and particularly in earlier times, when the means of reaching Mecca were exceedingly difficult. Moreover, if it were obligatory for every person each year, the pilgrimage sites would be filled with them, and Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafah would not accommodate them.

His statement, “once,” yields an important implication: whoever passes the miqat (designated boundary for entering pilgrim consecration) after having fulfilled the obligatory pilgrimage is not required to enter ihram (the state of pilgrim consecration), no matter how long he has been away from Mecca.

For example, a person may not have gone to Mecca for four or five years, then travel there for business, a visit, or something similar, passing the miqat on the way. He is not required to enter ihram, because Hajj and Umrah are obligatory only once. If we required him to enter ihram, we would be imposing upon him something beyond the one required time, and that would contradict the textual evidence.