In which year of the Hijra was Hajj prescribed?

Scholars have differed on the year in which Hajj was prescribed (fard). Some say it was in the fifth, sixth, ninth, or tenth year. The most preponderant opinion is that it was prescribed in late year nine, based on the Almighty's saying: "And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way" (Quran 3:97), which was revealed in the Year of Delegations, late in year nine.