Back to Al-Hajj wal-'Umrah

Over the past few weeks, more than a million people have left their homes responding to Allaah’s call to humankind with “labbayk Allaahummaa labbayk… at your service O Allaah..at your service.” They come “on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass that they may witness [i.e. attend] benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allaah on known [i.e. specific] days” in answer to a universal call that transcends time.

Given the enormous reward and blessings associated with Hajj, it is natural for Muslims who are unable to perform this journey of a lifetime, to feel “left out”. While seeing off loved ones, watching their faces glowing with anticipation at the prospect of visiting Allaah’s Blessed House and standing at Arafaat with thousands of fellow Muslims from every corner of the globe, in the hope of receiving Allaah’s Mercy; how many of us have feared inwardly that there may be no labbayk for us?

Indeed, Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, burst into tears of disappointment, when she discovered that she would not be able to participate in the rituals of Hajj with the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, for biological reasons. Aaishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam came to her, he found her crying and he said “You have your monthly course.” I said: ‘ Yes ’. He said: “Allaah has prescribed this for the daughters of Aadam, do whatever other pilgrims do—except Tawaaf until you wash.”

The injunction to perform Hajj comes with a qualifier in the Qur’aan (which means):
“In it are Signs manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allaah, those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allaah stands not in need of any of His creatures.” (3: 97)

The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam explained: “Islaam is to testify that there is no deity but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, establish prayer, give Zakaah, observe fasting in Ramadan and make Hajj to the House if you can afford it.”

Sayyid Saabiq, may Allaah have mercy on him, writes in his book ‘Fiqh–us-Sunnah’ “The ability to perform Hajj, which is one of its essential conditions, includes the following:

· A person must be healthy and physically fit. If one is disabled by old age or a disease that is incurable or is unable to perform Hajj for some other similar reason, he may, if he is financially capable, assign someone else to perform Hajj on his behalf and at his expense.
· The journey to Hajj must be safe so that the pilgrim’s life and possessions are safe and secure from any danger. If one is afraid for one’s life from highwaymen or an epidemic or if one is afraid to be robbed of one’ s possessions, then such a one is deemed as one of those who cannot afford the journey for Hajj .
· One must possess the necessary provision and the requisite means of journey. Necessary provision here means that the intending pilgrim must have sufficient supplies for himself as well as for his family that he leaves behind. These supplies include sufficient and adequate clothing, housing, means of traveling, and tools for the pursuit of his trade or profession besides the financial means for the journey. (The person intending to perform Hajj should not sell his clothes, his personal belongings, or his house--even if they were abundant to get money for Hajj) Means of traveling imply that which enables him to go to Hajj and come back, whether it is by land, by sea, or by air. This concerns those who live far from Makkah and cannot walk there.

As for those who live in the vicinity of Makkah, this condition does not apply, for they are so close that they can go for Hajj on foot. ”

There must also be no obstruction which may prevent people from undertaking the journey for Hajj, like fear of torture or imprisonment by a tyrannical ruler.

“Some other ahadeeth explain the Qur’aanic words “those who can afford the journey,” as meaning provision of food and means of journey. Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, reports that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, when once asked about the meaning of “those who can afford” said: “It means possessing means of sustenance and transportation.”*

“Similarly the words of Allaah (which mean): “Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allaah - those who can afford the journey” underline the fact that ability and power are the necessary prerequisites for all forms of worship. It signifies the unspecified power or a little bit more than what may be necessary. In the case of sawm (fasting) and salah (obligatory prayers) the financial ability is superfluous and is not specified in the Qur’aan—unlike Hajj for which it is an important requirement. Similarly, Hajj is a form of worship which involves traveling for which one must be in possession of sufficient means to support oneself (and one’ s family), as well as be able to shoulder the cost of the journey as in jihaad.

In this regard we may refer to the Qur’aanic verse (which means): “Nor is there any blame on those who find no resources to spend, nor is there (blame) on those who come to you to be provided with mounts, and when you said, ‘I can find no mounts for you,.”’ [Qur’aan 9: 91-92]

“If someone has the money to buy provisions and the passage to Hajj but he needs it to pay his debts, Hajj is not binding on him, whether the settlement of the debt is required immediately or is due after a time. The debts that are due for immediate settlement must be paid at once, whereas the Hajj may be performed later on in life. But if he spends all that he has on Hajj he may not be in a position to pay off his debt.”

Similarly, if one is in need of a dwelling or a servant to help him, he may be classified as unable to perform Hajj. Likewise, if one needs to take a wife because he fears he may not be able to avoid evil, he must get married, for it is his immediate need. Furthermore, if one needs goods for his business to obtain requisite resources therefrom, such a one, according to Abul ‘Abbas, Ibn Sarih, may Allaah have mercy on him, may be classified as unable to perform Hajj in view of his specific need.”

In the lifetime of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, there is an example of a woman among the Ansaar, who was unable to participate in Hajj with the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, for lack of adequate transport.

It is narrated on the authority of Ibn `Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, who said, “Allaah’s Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said to a woman of the Ansaar, ‘What has prevented you that you do not perform Hajj along with us?’ She said, ‘We have only two camels for carrying water. One of the camels has been taken by my husband and my son for performing Hajj and one has been left for us for carrying water.’ Whereupon he (the Prophet), sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said, ‘So when the month of Ramadan comes, perform `Umrah, for `Umrah in this (month) is equal to Hajj (in reward).’” [Saheeh Muslim]

Seen from a different perspective, a person’s inability to participate in Hajj for any of the reasons mentioned above, may be a chance for them to actualise the hadeeth: “The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “The case of a believer is amazing! Every affair of his is good for him, and this is not for anyone except a believer: If he experiences something pleasant, he is grateful to Allaah and that is good for him; and if he comes across some adversity, he is patiently persevering (i.e. has sabr) and that too is good for him!” [Saheeh Muslim]

The ten days of Dhil Hijjah are equally open to all Muslims—regardless of their physical and financial means or their geographical location. They are days of which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him and his father, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” The people asked: “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?” He replied: “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except for the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause - and returned with nothing.” [Saheeh Bukhaari]

In a khutbah on The Virtues of the First Ten days of Dhil Hijjah, Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid mentions:

“Good deeds are beloved by Allaah and will bring a great reward from Him. Whoever is not able to go to Hajj should occupy himself at this blessed time by increasing his worship of Allaah by praying (salaat), reading Qur’aan, remembering Allaah, making supplication (du’aa’), giving in charity, honouring parents, upholding the ties of kinship, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil - and other good deeds and acts of worship.

“One of the most important things to do during these ten days is to repent sincerely to Allaah and to give up all kinds of disobedience and sin. Repentance means coming back to Allaah and abandoning all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes, out of regret for what has passed, giving it up immediately and being determined never to return to it and thereafter to adhere firmly to the truth by doing what Allaah loves.

“If a Muslim commits a sin, he must hasten to repent at once, immediately, firstly because he does not know when he will die and secondly because one evil deed leads to another.

“Repentance at special times is very important because in most cases, people’s thoughts turn towards worship at these times and they are keen to do good, which leads to them recognising their sins and feeling regret for the past. Repentance is obligatory at all times, but when the Muslim combines sincere repentance with good deeds during the most virtuous days, this is a sign of success, Allaah willing. Allaah says that which translates to: “But as for him who had repented, believed, and done righteousness, it is expected (i.e. promised by Allaah) that he will be among the successful.” [Al-Qasas: 67]

“Muslims must make sure that they do not miss any of these important occasions, as time is passing rapidly. Let them prepare themselves by doing good deeds, which will bring them rewards when they are most in need of it, for no matter how much reward they earn, they will find it inadequate. The time of departure is at hand, the journey is frightening, distractions are widespread, and the road is long, but Allaah is ever watchful, and to Him will we return and render account. The Qur’aan states that which translates to: “So whosoever does an atoms weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atoms weight of evil shall see it.” [Az-Zalzalah: 7-8] ”

What happens if someone has no hope of performing Hajj due to being physically unfit, or if a person dies while having the intention to perform Hajj?

Sayyid Saabiq, may Allaah have mercy on him, writes:

“If a person dies before performing obligatory Hajj or if one vowed to perform Hajj but died before fulfilling one’s vow, his heir must assign someone to perform Hajj on behalf of the deceased. All the ensuing expenses in this regard must be paid out of the deceased’s property, as indeed must be any debts left by him.

Ibn ‘Abbaas narrates that a woman from the tribe of Johainah came to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam and said: “My mother had vowed to perform Hajj but she died before fulfilling her vow, should I perform Hajj on her behalf? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Yes, perform Hajj on her behalf. Would you not pay off any debts your mother might have left behind upon her death? Pay off what you owe to Allaah, for He is most deserving of settlement of His debt.” (Saheeh Bukhaari)

This hadeeth underlines the obligation of performing Hajj on behalf of a deceased person, whether or not he leaves a will to this effect (it is a kind of debt for the deceased), and all debts left by the deceased must be settled, just as all other financial obligations such as zakah, an atonement or a vow transacted by the deceased has to be fulfilled.

“If someone has the ability to perform Hajj but afterwards he is unable to perform it due to sickness or old age, he must arrange for someone else to perform Hajj on his behalf, for he may never be able to do it himself. In this respect, such a person is very much like the deceased, hence the permission for him to choose his substitute in Hajj.

This is based on a hadeeth reported by Al-Fadl ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, who says: “A woman of Khath’am said, ‘O Prophet of Allaah! Allaah has prescribed Hajj for His servants. (Now that) I am grown up, I find that my father is an old man, and he cannot ride on the camel (for long). Should I perform Hajj on his behalf?’ The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said: ‘Yes.’” This happened during the Farewell Hajj. [Reported by the Group]

The above hadeeth also lends support to the view that, both for a man or a woman, it is quite permissible to perform Hajj on behalf of another man or woman. There is nothing against this in the Qur’aan or hadeeth. ”

That said, there is no acceptable excuse for a person who has the physical and financial means to perform Hajj, to put it off.

Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, reports: “The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said: ‘There is no Sarorah (delaying performance of obligatory Hajj) in Islam.’’’ [Ahmad and Abu Daw’ud]

Al-Khattabi remarks: “The word sarorah has two meanings: a person who does not marry and leads a life of celibacy, like monastic Christians; or someone who has not performed Hajj. In other words this means that no one able to perform Hajj should fail to do so, because in Islam there is no delaying of obligatory Hajj.

In another hadeeth: Hilaal Ibn ‘Abdullaah narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “He who possess enough food for the trip, a means of transportation to reach to Makkah, and yet does not perform Hajj, then he dies, he would then die as a Jew or a Christian” [At-Tirmithi, Al-Bazzaar and others].

Abu Umaamah narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “He who was not prevented by a valid excuse, sickness, or an oppressive ruler, yet did not perform Hajj, will die as a Jew or a Christian” [Ad-Daarimi, AlBayhaqi and others).

‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allaah be pleased with him, once said, “I was on the verge of sending a group of men to the different Muslim states, in order to find out those who can afford Hajj yet do not perform it, so they would impose Jiziah (tax paid by non Muslims) upon them, because they are not Muslims, they are not Muslims”

Thus, the key to a person’s ability to perform Hajj is that he possesses the physical and financial means to do so on his own. Ibn Abi ‘Awfa relates: “I asked the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, about a man who has not performed Hajj, ‘Should he not get a loan to perform Hajj?’ The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, replied: ‘No”’ [Al-Baihaqi].

A Muslim in straitened circumstances should renew his supplications to Allaah, the Provider who grants provision to whom He wills without measure; instead of feeling “deprived” of Allaah’s blessings and bounty.

On the other hand, there are some people for whom it is reported there is no labbayk, and we seek refuge in Allaah in being made from them.

Sayyid Saabiq, may Allaah have mercy on him, writes:

“Someone performing Hajj with unlawfully gained money, may technically fulfill his prescribed duty of pilgrimage, but according to the majority of the scholars, he will be guilty of sin for doing so. Imam Ahmad disagrees and holds that such a Hajj is not enough for a person to absolve him of his prescribed obligation, and this is more correct as the saheeh hadeeth says: “Surely, Allaah is Pure, and He does not accept anything but what is pure (and clean).”

Also it is reported by Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said: “As soon as a pilgrim sets out for Hajj with a provision which is lawful, and puts his foot in the stirrup (rides his mount) and calls out: ‘O, Allaah! Here I am in response to Your call,’ an announcer answers him from the heavens above, saying: ‘Your call has been heard; you are a happy one; your provisions are lawful, your mount is lawful and your pilgrimage is free of sin and acceptable.’ But, if his provisions are unlawfully gained, and he puts his foot in the stirrup and calls out: ‘O Allaah! Here I am in response to Your call,’ an announcer from the heavens above answers him back, saying: ‘Your call is not accepted; nor are you welcome; your food is unlawful; your provisions are unlawful; and your pilgrimage is not free of sin and is unacceptable.”’ [Reported by At-Tabarani in Al-Awsat]

We seek refuge in Allaah from Satan, who leads us to doubt the blessings and Mercy of Allaah. As Muslims, we are pleased with Allaah as our Lord and Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam as our Messenger and Islaam as our deen, we believe in the qadr of Allaah – both good and bad – and that leaves no room for depression or despondency.

It is narrated, among the early Muslims there were those who feared Allaah so much, that while donning the ihraam for Hajj, they would hesitate to say the talbiyah out loud, for fear of it being rejected.

A terrified man stood in ‘Arafaat but he was too reluctant to supplicate, due to the extent of sins he had committed. He was asked: “Why don’t you supplicate?” he replied: “I feel I cannot due to my sins” The people said to him: “But it is the day of forgiveness”, so the man raised his hands and supplicated and continued to do so until he died in that state.

It is also narrated: Ibn Al-Mubaarak said: “I went to Sufyaan Ath-Thawri on the night of ‘Arafaat and he was kneeling down and crying”, I asked him, “Who is the worst person in this gathering?” he said: “He who thinks Allaah will not forgive him”.

May Allaah suspend our faith between Fear and Hope, make us aware of the shortcomings in our worship, and grant us the grace to overcome them.

May Allaah make us among those that he grants (in bounty), and does not withhold.

May Allaah make us among those that He increases (in favours), and does not decrease.

May Allaah make us among those with whom He is, and not those whom He stands against.

May Allaah make us among those that He plans for, not those that He plots against.

May Allaah enable us to be in His service every second of our lives, until the time ordained for Hajj comes around.

From IslamicAwakening.com
Sources: Fiqh-us-Sunnah by Sayyid Saabiq, may Allaah have mercy on him. Hajj Khutbahs : Alminbar.com