Sunan Ibn Majah Book 25, Hadith 2884

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مَنْصُورُ بْنُ وَرْدَانَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي الْبَخْتَرِيِّ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ ‏{‏وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلاً‏}‏‏.‏ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ الْحَجُّ فِي كُلِّ عَامٍ فَسَكَتَ ثُمَّ قَالُوا أَفِي كُلِّ عَامٍ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ وَلَوْ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ لَوَجَبَتْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَنَزَلَتْ ‏{‏يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لاَ تَسْأَلُوا عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ إِنْ تُبْدَ لَكُمْ تَسُؤْكُمْ ‏}‏‏.‏

It was narrated that ‘Ali said:“When the following was revealed: “And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for whoever can bear the way.” [3:97] They asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, is Hajj every year?’ He remained silent. They asked: ‘Is it every year?’ He said: ‘No. If I had said yes, it would have become obligatory.’ Then the following was revealed: “O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble.’” [5:101]