what is meant here. The word may be treated as masculine or feminine, and the matter in question is the very “way” mentioned in His saying: “whoever is able to find a way to it.”
– al-zād (provision): food stored beyond one’s immediate need; hence the food a traveller sets aside for his journey. Plural: azwād.
– al-rāḥilah (mount): a camel fit for travel and for carrying loads. The raḥl is the saddle placed on the camel’s back for riding. What is intended here is anything that will convey a person to the Sacred House.
Lessons derived from the hadith
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Allah, exalted is He, says: “Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to find a way to it” (Āl ʿImrān 97). He therefore made the obligation of Hajj contingent upon the ability to find that way. Some of the Companions asked the Prophet ﷺ about the “way” in this verse, and he explained it as provision and a mount.
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Whoever has provision and a mount is obliged to perform Hajj; whoever lacks them is not.
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Although the rāḥilah was originally explained as a she-camel, the meaning includes every form of transport. Today the rāḥilah may be a car, an airplane, a ship, or any other modern conveyance.
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Linguistically, zād refers to the traveller’s food, but nowadays it covers everything a pilgrim needs of various expenses, which differ according to circumstances and times.
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The Lawgiver mentioned provision and a mount without restriction; each person must have what is suitable and befitting for him, and both must be appropriate for someone of his standing.
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The hadith shows that Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity. A person who is incapable is not required to perform Hajj, nor should he undertake it only to become dependent on others.
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The foregoing defines the condition of ability. If the means of ability are present but another impediment appears, then—if that impediment is deemed permanent, such as a chronic illness, extreme old age, or a woman’s despair of finding a maḥram (an unmarriageable male guardian)—they may deputize someone to perform Hajj on their behalf. If, however, the impediment is expected to be removed, such as an illness from which recovery is hoped or fear along the route, then he remains waiting.