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In Islamic law, hajj to the House means making one’s way to it, as it does linguistically, except that this journey is undertaken in a particular manner, at a particular time, and accompanied by particular acts.

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Hajj to Allah’s Sacred House is an obligation, just as prayer, fasting, and zakat are obligations. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by people who are able to make their way there.” [Āl ‘Imrān: 97]

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Four conditions must be met for hajj to become obligatory: puberty, sanity, freedom, and ability. There is disagreement concerning Islam: some consider it a condition for hajj to become obligatory, while others consider it a condition for hajj to discharge the obligation. This reflects their disagreement over whether unbelievers are subject to the prescriptions of Islam.

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Ability means having the strength to reach Mecca, whether riding or on foot, by a safe, passable route. The report from the Prophet ﷺ that ability means having provisions and a mount is understood, according to our position, to concern someone who lives far away and cannot reach Mecca on foot without fatigue and hardship. If, because of the distance from his homeland, he cannot reach it on foot except with the hardship Allah Most High describes when He says:

“And they carry your burdens to a land you could not otherwise reach without great hardship. Surely your Lord is Most Kind, Most Merciful.” [al-Nahl: 7]

Then hajj is not obligatory for him until he can obtain a mount by purchase or hire. Some scholars of Baghdad have said that no hadith concerning a mount has been established as authentic. The apparent meaning of the Quran makes hajj obligatory for anyone capable of undertaking it on foot. The reference is to the words of Allah, Mighty and Majestic:

“And proclaim the pilgrimage to the people: they will come to you on foot and on every lean mount, coming from every distant mountain pass.” [al-Hajj: 27]

Mālik, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked