What does prevent you from offering Hajj?

Since 2012-11-24

Although you have good health and abundance of money, and I ask Allah to grant you more bounties, what prevents you from offering Hajj?

 

 

 
In the Name of Allah
 
All praise is due to Allah Alone, and prayers and peace of Allah be upon the Last of the Prophets, our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.
 
My dear brother: It upsets me – by Allah – that years, seasons, and days pass by, while you stand still without offering Hajj. This obligation is considered as a great pillar and firmly established basis of Islam. The Holy Qur'an, the Sunnah, and Ijma (consensus of scholars) prove that it is obligatory.
 
Although you have good health and abundance of money, and I ask Allah to grant you more bounties, what prevents you from offering Hajj? What hinders you from joining the pilgrims?
 
I reflected on the reasons that prevent people from offering Hajj while they have no lawful excuse and found that they are trivial reasons that go back to weak belief, resulting from the depravity and darkness of heart. When the heart becomes depraved and dark, all sins and misdeeds committed by the limbs occur. The heart is the master, leader and guide of all the limbs, as the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “In the body there is a piece of flesh which, if it is sound, the entire body will be sound, and if it is corrupt, the entire body will be corrupt. It is the heart.” [Agreed upon]
 
«ألا وإن في الجسد مضغة، إذا صلحت صلح الجسد كله، وإذا فسدت فسد الجسد كله، ألا وهي القلب» متفق عليه
 
The following are the detailed reasons:
 
1- Procrastination and Postponement in Hope:
 
Satan comes to the Muslim from this direction to prevent them from doing good, to deprive them from the rewards of obeying Allah, and to cause them to commit the sin of refraining from obeying the Commands of Allah. Thus, the scholars warned the Muslims severely against procrastination and postponement in hope. Al-Hassan said: “Whoever postpones in hope, becomes neglectful in his acts, thus worsening.” Shaddad Ibn Aws said: “I warn you against procrastination.” Ibn Mubarak narrated: “We were informed that the majority of the inhabitants of Hellfire say: How much procrastination is awful!”
 
Al-Harith Al-Muhasiby said: “Procrastination prevents a person from doing good deeds.”
 
Ibn Al-Jawzy said: “Postponement in hope is a form of delusion; and there is no attribute worse than it. Except for it, you would not find any negligence. A person may indulge in sins and desires and delay repentance due to postponement in hope.”
 
 

 

Ibn Rajab said: “The believer should embark on doing good deeds before being unable to do them due to illness or death. Also, they may be afflicted with anything with which no good deed is accepted.” (Jami Al-Ulum wal Hikam)
 
I do not know if I postponed in hope
I may get up and die at night
Do not you know that in the morning of every day
Your lifetime becomes shorter than the previous day
 
2- The False Hope:
 
Some people cling to the Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) and Hadiths about Allah's (Glorified be He) Forgiveness and Mercy, and regard it as an excuse for abandoning the obligatory acts and doing the prohibited ones. They may claim that they do that out of their thinking positively about Allah. If you blame them for not performing Hajj, they will say that Allah is Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful or that Allah considers only the hearts of the people. Then, they recite many Ayahs and Hadiths concerning hope and the Vast Mercy of Allah.
 
Undoubtedly, these are thoughts from Satan inciting the human being. Hoping and thinking positively of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) should be accompanied by exerting efforts and working hard, as Allah (Glorified be He) says: {Say (O Muhammad SAW): I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God i.e. Allah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.} [Surat Al-Kahf 18:110]
 
{قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَـٰلِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَحَدًۢا} الكهف: 110
 
Transliteration: Qul innama ana basharunmithlukum yooha ilayya annama ilahukum ilahun wahidun faman kana yarjoo liqa’a rabbihi fal ya’mal ‘amalan salihan wala yushrik bi’ibadati rabbihi ahada
 
Yahia ibn Muadh said: As for me, the greatest form of delusion is persisting in committing sins hoping for forgiveness without repentance, expecting being closer to Allah (Glorified be He) without performing acts of obedience, waiting for the rewards of Paradise while planting the seeds of sins in Hellfire, seeking Paradise by committing sins, waiting for rewards without working, hoping for Allah's (Glorified be He) reward without abiding by Allah's Commands.
 
Hoping for Salvation without walking in its path
A ship does not move on land.
 
3- Laziness
 
There are two kinds of laziness:
 
First: The mental laziness: Not letting the mind reflect on and contemplate at the greatness of everything created by Allah and His graces, or consider the matters that improve the stance of mankind in the life and the Hereafter.
 
Second: Physical laziness: It leads to slackening in performing the acts of obedience and the acts of worship in the way prescribed by Shariah. Moreover, it is one of the attributes of the hypocrites, as Allah (Glorified be He) says: {Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salat (the prayer), they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little.} [An-Nisaa' 4:142]
 
{إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُواْ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ قَامُواْ كُسَالَى يُرَآؤُونَ النَّاسَ وَلاَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً} النساء: 142
 
Transliteration: Inna almunafiqeena yukhadi’oona Allaha wahuwa khadi’uhum wa-itha qamoo ila assalati qamoo kusala yura’oona annasa wala yathkuroona Allaha illa qaleela
 
Laziness leads to bad consequences, as it hinders the person from carrying out their ambitions, prevents them from performing their missions, and inhibits the beneficial deeds, fruitful thinking, and good endeavor.
 
Thus, it was said: “Beware of laziness,” because if you become lazy, you will not do your duties.
 
Laziness married his daughter to frailty
And he brought her a dowry when he proposed to her.
A soft bed and told her lean
Undoubtedly, they will give birth to poverty.
 
4- Stinginess:
 
Some people abstain from offering Hajj due to stinginess and reluctance to spend money on it. This is a grave disease; and the person who is afflicted with it is about to be ruined. The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “No disease is more serious than Stinginess." [Reported by Al-Bukhari in "Al-Adab Al-Mufrad" and authenticated by Al-Hakim in "Al-Mustadrak"]
 
«وأي داء أدوى من البخل» رواه البخاري فى الأدب المفرد والحاكم فى المستدرك
 
This indicates the gravity of stinginess and its serious negative effects.
 
Allah (Glorified be He) says: {Behold! You are those who are called to spend in the Cause of Allâh, yet among you are some who are niggardly. And whoever is niggardly, it is only at the expense of his ownself. But Allâh is Rich (Free of all needs), and you (mankind) are poor. And if you turn away (from Islâm and the obedience to Allâh), He will exchange you for some other people and they will not be your likes.} [Muhammad 47:38]
 
{هَـٰٓأَنتُمْ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ تُدْعَوْنَ لِتُنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّـهِ فَمِنكُم مَّن يَبْخَلُ ۖ وَمَن يَبْخَلْ فَإِنَّمَا يَبْخَلُ عَن نَّفْسِهِۦ ۚ وَٱللَّـهُ ٱلْغَنِىُّ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلْفُقَرَآءُ ۚ وَإِن تَتَوَلَّوْا۟ يَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُونُوٓا۟ أَمْثَـٰلَكُم} محمد: 38
 
Translitration: Ha antum haola-itudAAawna litunfiqoo fee sabeeli Allahi faminkum manyabkhalu waman yabkhal fa-innama yabkhalu AAan nafsihi wallahualghaniyyu waantumu alfuqarao wa-in tatawallaw yastabdilqawman ghayrakum thumma la yakoonoo amthalakum
 
The Treatment:
 
• First: The person should keep in mind that this money is not his, but it is the money of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). Thus, Allah (Glorified be He) says: {And spend of that whereof He has made you trustees.} [Al-Hadid 57:7]
 
{ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّـهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا جَعَلَكُم مُّسْتَخْلَفِينَ فِيهِ} الحديد: 7
 
Transliteration: wa ‘anfiqoo mimma ja’alakum mustakhlafeena feehi fallatheena
 
Also, Allah says: {And give them something (yourselves) out of the wealth of Allâh which He has bestowed upon you.} [An-Nur: 33]
 
{وَءَاتُوهُم مِّن مَّالِ ٱللَّـهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ} النور: 33
 
Transliteration: wa ‘atoohum min mali Allahi allathee atakum
 
Therefore, no one has the right to scrimp on the Slaves of Allah and on themselves.
 
• Second: They should know the reward they will be granted when they perform Hajj and other acts of worship. Allah (Glorified be He) says: {The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allâh, is as the likeness of a grain; it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allâh gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allâh is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.} [Al-Baqarah 2:261]
 
{مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّـهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٍ مِّا۟ئَةُ حَبَّةٍ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ يُضَـٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ} البقرة: 261
 
Transliteration: Mathalu allatheena yunfiqoona amwalahum fee sabeeli Allahi kamathali habbatin anbatatsab’a sanabila fee kulli sunbulatin mi-atu habbatinwallahu yuda’ifu liman yashao wallahuwasi’un ‘aleem
 
Rather, Making Hajj and Umrah follow each other closely leads to richness and abundance of sustenance, as the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Keep on following Hajj with ‘Umrah, and ‘Umrah with Hajj, for they wipe out poverty and sins as the bellows removes the dross of iron, gold and silver.” [Reported by An-Nisa’i and authenticated by Al-Albani]
 
«تابعوا بين الحج والعمرة،فإنهما ينفيان الفقر والذنوب كما ينفي الكير خبث الجديد والذهب والفضة» رواه النسائي وصححه الألباني
 
5- Fearing for the Family and Children:
 
Some people abandon the obligatory act of Hajj on the plea of fearing for the family and children, and this is not an excuse especially at this time wherein the means of transportation have developed dramatically, for nowadays aircrafts transport people all over the earth in few hours given that the days of Hajj are few. In the past, people used to leave their properties and family for many months leading a tough journey during which they become subject to all types of danger and risks.
 
Camels were the fastest means of transportation, yet, they used to race each other for Hajj in response to Allah's Saying (may He be Exalted): {And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj). (27) That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade} [Al-Hajj 22:27-28]
 
{وَأَذِّن فِى ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ ﴿٢٧﴾ لِّيَشْهَدُوا۟ مَنَـٰفِعَ لَهُمْ...} الحج: 27-28
 
Transliteration: Wa ’athin fee annasibilhajji ya’tooka rijalan wa’alakulli damirin ya’teena min kulli fajjin ‘ameeq. Liyashhadoo manafi’a lahum...”
 
If those people did not find an excuse for failing to respond to the call of Al-Rahman (The Compassionate) despite the difficulty of travel, the roughness of the way, and the primitive means of transportation. Thus, those who succeeded them should not have an excuse, as leaving the wife and children for one or two weeks should not prevent a person from fulfilling this great pillar of Islam.
 
If a person fears to leave his children for few days to fulfill an act that Allah has obligated them to do, what shall they do when the Angel of Death comes to take their soul moving them away from their wives, children, and wealth? Will they then be able to prevent him from doing so? Accordingly, if a person cannot prevent the Angel of Death from taking their soul and separating them from their family, they should fear Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), as He (Exalted be He) protects the children by virtue of their parents' righteousness as He (may He be Glorified) says: {And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the town; and there was under it a treasure belonging to them; and their father was a righteous man, and your Lord intended that they should attain their age of full strength and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. And I did them not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of those (things) over which you could not hold patience} [Al-Kahf 18:82]
 
{وَأَمَّا ٱلْجِدَارُ فَكَانَ لِغُلَـٰمَيْنِ يَتِيمَيْنِ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَ تَحْتَهُۥ كَنزٌ لَّهُمَا وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَـٰلِحًا فَأَرَادَ رَبُّكَ أَن يَبْلُغَآ أَشُدَّهُمَا وَيَسْتَخْرِجَا كَنزَهُمَا رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ} الكهف: 82
 
Transliteration: aamma aljidaru fakana li ghulamayni yateemayni fee almadeenati wakana tahtahu kanzun lahuma wakana aboohuma salihan fa’arada rabbuka an yablugha ashuddahuma wayastakhrija kanzahuma rahmatan min rabbika wama fa’altuhu ‘an amree thalika ta/weelu malam tasti’ ‘alayhi sabra.
 
Also, he says: {And let those (executors and guardians) have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own, if they had left weak offspring behind. So let them fear Allâh and speak right words} [An-Nisaa4:9]
 
{وَلْيَخْشَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَوْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّةً ضِعَـٰفًا خَافُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ فَلْيَتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ وَلْيَقُولُوا۟ قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا} النساء: 9
 
Transliteration: Walyakhsha allatheena law tarakoo minkhalfihim thurriyyatan di’afan khafoo’alayhim falyattaqoo Allaha walyaqooloo qawlan sadeeda.
 
Fearing Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) is the best way to protect one's offspring during life and after death.
 
5- Being Unaware of the Conditions of the Obligation of Hajj:
 
Some people do not perform Hajj since they are unaware of the conditions of its obligation; Hajj might be obligatory for them without being acquainted with this. However, it is mandatory for a Muslim to learn the rulings of all acts of worship that Allah has enjoined upon them including Hajj, so they should learn that Hajj is obligatory for adult, sane, and freeborn Muslims who can afford it physically and financially. If the previous conditions exist and the impediments are removed, Hajj immediately becomes obligatory according to the correct view of scholars since Allah (Exalted be He) says: {And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord} [Aal-‘Imran 3:133]
 
{وَسَارِعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ} آل عمران: 133
 
Transliteration: Wasari’oo ila maghfiratin min rabbikum.
 
Moreover, the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Hasten to do Hajj, for none of you knows what will befall him (hinder him)” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
 
«تعجلوا إلى الحج، فإن أحدكم لا يدري ما يعرض له» صححه الألباني
 
6- Arrogance and Conceitedness:
 
This is a serious disease that has stricken many people and prevented them from several virtuous acts, which if they offer– from their point of view- will adversely affect their rank and prestige among people. This includes offering Prayer in congregation; for example, as they see that they should not stand evenly with the commons and offer Prayer before Allah (Exalted be He).
 
Thus, such people abandon performing Hajj, as it is kind of worship wherein all people become equal, and the only criteria that distinguish them are piety and righteous act. They all wear garments below the waist that look like a shroud; one cannot therein discriminate between the rich and the poor, or the noble and the low amongst them. This intrinsically does not please those arrogant ill-hearted persons.
 
Such persons should know that:
                   
First: High rank and honor lie in modesty rather than arrogance, this is why the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “…..And no one humbles himself before Allah but He (Glorified and Exalted be He) will raise him.” [Reported by Muslim]
 
«...وما تواضع أحد لله إلا رفعه الله» رواه مسلم
 
Second: Arrogance is one of the reasons that lead to Hellfire, as the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “... Should I not tell you about the inmates of Nar (Hellfire)? Whoever is discourteous, rude, and arrogant.” [Agreed upon by]
 
«ألا أخبركم بأهل النار؟ كل عتل جواظ مستكبر» متفق عليه
 
Third: the Scale for weighing deeds on that day is measured by deeds. The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The Paradise and the Hellfire disputed: the Hellfire said: inside me are the tyrants and those who are arrogant, while the Paradise said: inside me are the weak and poor amongst people.” [Reported by Muslim]
 
«احتجت النار والجنة . فقالت هذه: يدخلني الجبارون والمتكبرون . وقالت هذه: يدخلني الضعفاء والمساكين» رواه مسلم
 
He (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The A huge fat man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection, and he will not weigh before Allah even more than the wing of a gnat.” [Agreed upon]
 
«إنه ليأتي الرجل السمين العظيم يوم القيامة، لا يزن عند الله جناح بعوضة» متفق عليه
 
7- Being Inattentive to Allah and the Hereafter:
 
This is the case of many people who have been inattentive to remember and obey Allah. The worldly life has been adorned to them causing them to lean to it, and has screened them from fulfilling the acts of worship which Allah has enjoined upon them.
 
Ibn Al-Qayyim said: “Whoever ponders over the state of people will find that all of them except for a few have their hearts inattentive to the Remembrance of Allah (may He be Exalted). They have followed their personal desires, having their affairs lost i.e., they have wasted that which benefits them and occupied themselves with that which does not avail; rather, brings upon harm in the present and the future”.
 
The Remedy of Inattentiveness:
 
1-   Offering much Remembrance of Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted): He (may He be Exalted) says: {And the men and the women who remember Allâh much with their hearts and tongues — Allâh has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).} [Al-Ahzaab 33:35]
 
{وَٱلذَّٰكِرِينَ ٱللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا وَٱلذَّٰكِرَٰتِ أَعَدَّ ٱللَّـهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا} الأحزاب: 35
 
Transliteration: Waththakireena Allaha katheeran waththakirati a’adda Allahu lahum maghfiratan waajran ‘atheema.
 
2-   Accompanying people who obey and remember Allah: Allah (may He be Exalted) says: {And keep yourself (O Muhammad peace be upon him) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face} [Al-Kahf 18:28]
 
{وَٱصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلْعَشِىِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُۥ} الكهف: 28
 
Transliteration: Wasbir nafsaka ma’a allatheena yad’oona rabbahum bil ghadati wal’ashiyyi yureedoona wajhahu
 
3-   Avoiding inattentive people: He (Exalted be He) says: {And let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, and who follows his own lusts, and whose affair (deeds) has been lost} [Al-Kahf 18:28]
 
 
{وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُۥ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُهُۥ فُرُطًا} الكهف: 28
 
Transliteration: Walatuti' man aghfalna qalbahu ‘an thikrina wattaba’a hawahu wakana amruhu furuta.
 
4-   Hastening to offer acts of obedience: Allah (Exalted be He) says: {So hasten towards all that is good} [Al-Baqarah 2:148]
 
{...فَٱسْتَبِقُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ ...} البقرة: 148
 
Transliteration: Fastabiqoo alkhayrati
 
5-   Seeking Allah's Aid (Glorified and Exalted be He): By supplication, seeking forgiveness from Allah, and turning to Him (Glorified be He) in addition to shedding tears by virtue of fear and reverence to Him.
 
We ask Allah (may He be Exalted) to render us amongst those who obey Him and to turn us away from the ways of disobedience, and the last of our supplications is that “All Praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds”.
 
 
Prepared by The Scientific Department in Madar-ul-Watan