Let’s Hasten to Hajj!
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. If an individual possesses sound health and sufficient financial means to undertake the journey, Hajj becomes an absolute obligation upon them.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Ra) narrated that the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“The reward for an accepted Hajj is nothing less than Paradise.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari
Therefore, those who possess the means should cultivate a deep enthusiasm and yearning to fulfill this sacred duty. Treating the obligation of Hajj as an urgent priority and seeking divine grace, one must strive to perform it immediately without delaying.
One should not look for excuses to postpone Hajj, because death can arrive unexpectedly or health can deteriorate. Thus, the performance of Hajj must be expedited.
Warnings for Neglecting the Obligation of Hajj
The Prophet (ﷺ) delivered severe warnings regarding those who abstain from going to Hajj despite being fully capable and eligible:
- The Dying Words: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever possesses the provisions and a means of transport to reach the House of Allah and yet does not perform Hajj, it makes no difference whether he dies as a Jew or a Christian.”
— Jami` at-Tirmidhi
- The Deprived Servant: The Prophet (ﷺ) stated that Allah said: “Any servant to whom I have granted good health and abundance in sustenance, and five years pass by him in that state without him presenting himself in My court (for Hajj), he is indeed an unfortunate and deprived person.”
— Mishkat al-Masabih
- The Mark on the Forehead: Hazrat Ibn Umar (Ra) stated: “Whoever is healthy and wealthy, possessing the capability to go for Hajj, yet dies without performing it, the word ‘Disbeliever’ (Kafir) will be written on his forehead on the Day of Resurrection.”
— Durr al-Manthur
The Virtues of the Sacred Journey
“Hasten to perform the obligatory Hajj, for none of you knows what obstacles may arise later.”
— Al-Targhib wat-Tarhib
- Passing Away En Route: Whoever passes away on the path while traveling for Hajj will have the rewards of Hajj recorded for them continuously until the Day of Resurrection. Likewise, whoever dies while traveling for Umrah will receive the rewards of Umrah until the Day of Resurrection.
— Al-Targhib wat-Tarhib
- The Guests of Allah: The ones performing Hajj and Umrah are the honored guests of Allah. If they supplicate to Him, Allah Almighty accepts their prayers; if they seek His forgiveness, He forgives their sins completely.
— Mishkat al-Masabih
- Jihad for Women: Mother Aisha (Ra) narrated: “I asked the Prophet (ﷺ) for permission to participate in Jihad. The Noble Prophet (ﷺ) replied, ‘Your (women’s) Jihad is the performance of Hajj.'”
— Mishkat al-Masabih
Do Not Postpone for Worldly Needs
If the obligation of Hajj remains unfulfilled, one must make every effort to perform it in the very coming year. It is highly recommended to start making the necessary preparations right now.
The Prophet (ﷺ) cautioned:
“If a person postpones going to Hajj citing worldly needs, he will see that before his needs are even fulfilled, the people would have already completed their Hajj and returned.”
Through Hajj, a believer is blessed with unmatched spiritual fortunes: visiting (Ziyarah) the Leader of both worlds and the Beloved of Allah, Hazrat Muhammadur Rasulullah (ﷺ) in Madinah; the immense privilege of praying in Al-Masjid an-Nabawi; paying respects to the Sahaba resting in Jannat al-Baqi; visiting the martyrs at the foot of Mount Uhud; and witnessing the swift acceptance of supplications.
Allah’s Clear Warning in the Quran
Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Quran:
“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House—for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves [i.e., refuses]—then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.”
— Surah Ali ‘Imran: 97
Beholding the majestic Kaaba directly with one’s own eyes, performing Tawaf around it, and traveling to the illuminated city of Madinah to offer Salaam to the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) is profoundly transformative and a supreme blessing for our soul.
Let us not delay any further; let us hasten to fulfill our Hajj!
