QUESTION:
What do the scholars of the Din and muftis of the Sacred Law state regarding the following issue: In the U.K. many people neglect Hajj and they say that first we need to better ourselves then we will go for Hajj. Is it okay to say this and not go on Hajj?
Questioner: Uthman from England
ANSWER:
بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
الجواب بعون الملک الوھاب اللھم ھدایۃ الحق والصواب
If someone is able to fulfil Hajj, then they should go straight away, as one does not know what the future may hold, and delaying it without a valid excuse is a sin. Just as it is stated in Radd al-Muhtār,
“فِي شَرْحِ الْمُلْتَقَى،فَيُفَسَّقُ وَتُرَدُّ شَهَادَتُهُ بِالتَّأْخِيرِ عَنْ الْعَامِ الْأَوَّلِ بِلَا عُذْرٍ غَيْرِ مُحَرَّرٍ لِأَنَّ مُقْتَضَاهُ حُصُولُهُ بِمَرَّةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ فَضْلًا عَنْ الْمَرَّتَيْنِ”
[al-Durr al-Mukhtār, vol 3, pg 520]
Likewise, it is stated in Bahār-e-Sharī’at that when one is capable of going on Hajj, then Hajj becomes Fard straight away, meaning in that very year, and delaying it now is a sin, and if one has prolonged it for a few years, then one is regarded as a fāsiq [sinful person]. Such a person’s witnessing is not accepted, but when they perform Hajj, it will be regarded as adā’ [properly fulfilled] not qadā’ [fulfilled late].
[Bahār-e-Sharī’at, vol 1, pg 1036]
The Noble Prophet ﷺ has also ordered the performing of Hajj to be done straight away, just as it is narrated by Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāh Ibn ‘Abbās, may Allāh Almighty be pleased with them both, that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ states that, “Perform Hajj straight away; who knows what lies ahead.”
[al-Targhīb wa al-Tarhīb, vol 2, pg 109, Hadīth no 26]
Bettering yourself then going for Hajj is a satanic whisper because in this way, someone won’t be able to better themselves for their entire life, nor perform Hajj, and this is what the devil wants.
Such a non-understanding person should think as to whether he will better himself by acting upon the command of Allāh Almighty or by being disobedient, because not going for Hajj after it has become Fard is being disobedient, and one should also bear in mind as to whether a person will become pure from sins by going on Hajj or by being caught up in the useless frivolities of this life. It is actually Hajj which wipes away previous sins and purifies oneself.
Just as it is narrated by Sayyidunā ‘Amr Ibn ‘Ās, may Allāh Almighty be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ states that,
“وَأَنَّ الْحَجَّ يَهْدِمُ مَا كَانَ قَبْلَهُ”
“Verily Hajj wipes away all the previous (misdeeds).”
[Sahīh Muslim, pg 74, Hadīth no 121]
It is mentioned in Hadīths of Bukhārī & Muslim that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ states that,
“مَنْ حَجَّ لِلَّهِ فَلَمْ يَرْفُثْ، وَلَمْ يَفْسُقْ، رَجَعَ كَيَوْمِ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ”
“Whoever performs Hajj for the pleasure of Allāh Almighty and does not indulge in obscenity (vulgar conversation), and does not do any evil or sins, then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) just like a newborn child.”
[Sahīh al-Bukhārī, vol 1, pg 512, Hadīth no 1521]
There are repercussions mentioned for the one who passed away having not performed Hajj. Just as it is narrated by Sayyidunā Abū Amāmah, may Allāh Almighty be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ has stated that, “If neither a genuine need, oppressive ruler, or illness stopped a person from performing Hajj, and then a person passes away without having performed Hajj, then he will have died as a Jew or Christian.”
[Sunan al-Dārimī, vol 2, pg 45, Hadīth no 1785]
واللہ تعالی اعلم ورسولہ اعلم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم
کتبہ ابو الحسن محمد قاسم ضیاء قادری
Answered by Mufti Qasim Zia al-Qadiri
Translated by Haider Ali
Read the original Urdu answer here: [Q-ID0734] Is it okay for me to delay Hajj so I can first rectify myself and become a better Muslim?
Also see:
[Q-ID0541] What are the types of Hajj? Please explain the easy methods of performing them.