Children's Hajj................

Active Member

Children's Hajj

Hajj is not obligatory on children. However, if they perform Hajj, it will be
valid but does not exempt them from performing the obligatory Hajj.

Once, a woman brought a boy
to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) and asked, "Would the Hajj of this
boy be valid?" He said, "Yes, and you will have a reward for doing so." Jabir
(may Allah be pleased with him) said, "When
we performed Hajj with Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him), we had our women
and children with us. We pronounced Talbiah and threw pebbles on behalf of our
children."

If children perform Hajj, it will be obligatory
for them to perform Hajj again when they attain puberty. Likewise, if a slave
performs Hajj and then gains his freedom, he will have to perform Hajj again
if he is able to finance the journey.

Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with the son
and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "If a boy
performs Hajj and then attains puberty, he should perform Hajj again. And if
a slave performs Hajj and then gains his freedom, he should perform Hajj again."

If the child reaches the age of discretion, he
can enter the state of Ihram and perform the rituals of Hajj alone. Otherwise,
his guardian can perform the rites on his behalf, pronounce Talbiah, circumambulate
with him, run between Safa and Marwah, stand at `Arafah, and throw the pebbles
on his behalf.

If he attains puberty before standing at `Arafah
or during it, he will not have to perform Hajj again
Malik maintained that this Hajj will not suffice the child, while the Hanafis
held that it does suffice him if he renews his Ihram after attaining puberty.

Moderator

Hajj "or pilgrimage" is a basic pillar in Islam for those who can so. Thank you Miss sacha