Specific treatment of elderly pilgrims on hajj according to hadith; the approach of mukhtalif ahadis

Abstract

Most of Indonesian hajj pilgrims are elderly due to approximately 23 years waiting period. This paper aims to elaborate specific treatment of elderly pilgrims according to the hadith. Some hadith imply indirect prohibition to perform hajj by themselves while others still motivate the hajj in a hard condition. Using the approach of mukhtalif ahâdits, this paper seeks to answer three questions. First, how did hadith say about specific treatment of elderly hajj pilgrims. Second, how to deal with two groups of hadith which slightly look different. Third, how is proper contextual interpretation on the hadith in Indonesian contemporary life. The data compilation is through literature reviews and interviews. Then, the two groups of hadith are compromised using a method called al-jam u wa al-Tawfiq. It truns out that the first hadith applies for those who can t really perform the hajj while another is for those with physical problems but could still stand for hajj using some facilities and policies. Those all lead to an inevitable need for a special hajj manasik for elderly so they could perform the hajj with better preparation.