Question

Is it due on a Muslim to visit Al-Masjid Al-Haraam at least every five years?

Fatwa

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

A Muslim is not required to visit Al-Masjid Al-Haraam (i.e. the Ka'bah) frequently. However, it is obligatory upon a Muslim to perform Hajj once in a lifetime and it is known that performing Tawaaf (circumambulation) around the Ka‘bah is one of the pillars of Hajj. ‘Umrah (lesser-Hajj) is also obligatory once in a lifetime according to the opinion of many scholars. So, if a Muslim has fulfilled the obligations of Hajj and ‘Umrah, he is not required to visit Al-Masjid Al-Haraam again (as an obligation).

Nevertheless, if someone enjoys an abundance of wealth and good health and can visit Al-Masjid Al-Haraam by way of Hajj and ‘Umrah yet refrains from doing so, then he will miss out on a great share of goodness. Incidentally, the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention), said that Allah The Almighty Says in a Hadeeth Qudsi (Sacred Hadeeth): "If a slave whom I granted a healthy body and abundant wealth lets five years pass without visiting My House, then he is indeed deprived." [Ibn Hibbaan & Al-Bayhaqi; Al-Albaani: Saheeh (Authentic)]

Al-Hattaab, the Maaliki scholar said about this tradition, "Scholars have said that it implies a recommendation of visiting Al-Masjid Al-Haraam in the mentioned period.”

Allah Knows best.