THE FIFTH PILLAR OF ISLAM SPEECH
Hajj is a symbolic expression of man's full surrender before his Lord. Mr. President and worthy audience, the word "Hajj" means worshiping Allah by performing the Hajj rituals which are defined as specific acts performed at a specific time and place in a specific way. Performing Hajj is an obligation once in a lifetime upon every Muslim. The indigent and the sick or disabled are excused. Allah, the Almighty, says: وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ - 3:97 "Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah' those who can afford the journey: But if anyone denies faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures." Allah made Hajj an obligation to the Muslims in the ninth year after Hijrah. The Prophet ("Peace Be Upon Him") performed only the farewell Hajj. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said, "The superstructure of Islam ...