Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s messenger as saying, “God has prescribed the pilgrimage for you people." Al-Aqra' b. Habis then got up and asked whether it was to be performed annually, to which God’s messenger replied that if he were to tell them that it was, it would become obligatory, and if it did they would not keep it nor be able to do so, adding, “The pilgrimage should be performed once, and if anyone does it oftener he performs supererogatory act." Ahmad, Nasa'i and Darimi transmitted it.