Book of Pilgrimage Rites
Introduction

Hajj and ʿUmrah are obligatory—once in a lifetime and to be carried out without delay—upon every free, legally accountable, and capable Muslim. If slavery, insanity, or childhood ends—so long as, in Hajj, this occurs while standing at ʿArafah, and in ʿUmrah before its circumambulation—the observance is deemed an obligatory performance. When either rite is performed by a child or a slave, it is counted only as a voluntary act.

A person is deemed capable when he is able to travel by riding and possesses provisions and a mount1 suitable for someone of his standing, after settling obligatory dues, lawful expenditures, and basic necessities.

If old age or a chronic illness from which recovery is not expected prevents him from travelling, he must appoint someone to perform Hajj and ʿUmrah on his behalf from the place where they became incumbent; this suffices for him even if he later regains health after entering the state of iḥrām (ritual consecration).

For the obligation to apply to a woman, the presence of her maḥram is required—her husband, or a man who is permanently forbidden to her through blood ties or some other lawful cause. Should the person on whom the rites were obligatory die, the expenses are to be taken from his estate.