Concerning his statement, “We uphold pilgrimage and jihad,” it is incumbent upon the Muslim community to ensure that the Hajj is conducted every year. For the individual, however, a single pilgrimage in one’s lifetime suffices; anything beyond that is voluntary.

Who directs the Hajj? It is the Muslim ruler: he leads the pilgrims, announces the Day of ʿArafah, stands with them at ʿArafah, proceeds with them to Muzdalifah, and they follow him through the rest of the rites. Whether he performs these duties himself or appoints a deputy, the affair must not be left to chaos.

Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamāʿah perform the Hajj under their Imam. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Fasting is on the day the people fast, and the Festival of Sacrifice is on the day the people offer their sacrifices.” (1)

Such is the Muslim nation: they fast together when the moon-sighting is unified, they perform the pilgrimage together, and they pray the ʿEid prayer together. Unity is a hallmark of Ahl al-Sunnah, whereas division is the mark of innovators and the misguided.

As for jihad, what is intended is fighting the unbelievers, the rebellious factions among the Muslims, and the Khārijites. We fight under the banner of the Muslim ruler: we fight the rebels because of their aggression, not because of disbelief—“And if two groups of…"