XI
THE BOOK OF THE RITES OF PILGRIMAGE
It is related from Abú Hurairah that he said, 'The Apostle of God addressed us and said, "O men, the pilgrimage hath been made incumbent upon you; then perform it." A man asked, "(Shall we perform it) every year, O Apostle of God?" He remained silent until the man repeated the question three times. Then he replied, "If I had said, 'Yes,' it would certainly have become obligatory, but ye are certainly not able (to perform it every year)." Then he said, "Leave me alone, so long as I leave you alone. Those who were before you were destroyed simply because of their many questions and their contradicting their prophets. Therefore, when I command you anything, perform what you are able of it, and when I forbid you anything, then leave it alone."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abu Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who makes a pilgrimage for God, and abstains from sexual intercourse, and does not forsake the path of righteousness, returns like he was on the day when his mother gave him birth."'—Muslim, Al Bukhári.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that, 'A woman of (the tribe of) Khashʿam said, "O Apostle of God, it is a duty imposed by God on His servants that they perform the pilgrimage. My father is an old man and cannot sit firmly on his camel; then shall I perform the pilgrimage on his behalf?" He replied, "Yes." That occurred during the farewell pilgrimage.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that, 'A man came to the Prophet and said, "Verily my sister made a vow to perform the pilgrimage, but she died." The Prophet said, "If she had been in debt, wouldst thou have redeemed it?" He replied, 'Yes." He said, " Then redeem the debt of God, for that is the most worthy of redemption."—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that she said, 'I asked the Prophet's permission to join in the religious wars. He replied, "Thy religious war is pilgrimage."—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
