NEGLECTING ḤAJJ DESPITE HAVING MEANS

 FAJR REMINDER: NEGLECTING ḤAJJ DESPITE HAVING MEANS

By: Umm Affān

Dhū al-Qa'dah 29, 1447 (17-May-2026)

Among the Rights that Allāh has upon His servants regarding worship is the obligation of performing Ḥajj for whoever is capable of doing so. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “...And Ḥajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allāh, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Ḥajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allāh], then Allāh stands not in need of any of the 'Ālamīn (mankind and jinns).” [Sūrah Aal-‘Imrān (3): 97]

Based on the textual evidences and the consensus of the scholars, Ḥajj is obligatory only once in the lifetime of every adult Muslim who has the means. Yet, it is unfortunate that some “Muslims” who are financially and physically capable continue to delay or neglect this obligation. Some excuse themselves with work commitments, while others complain about the expenses involved, claiming that spending such an amount on a journey lasting only a few days is unreasonable. Such thinking is extremely dangerous and reflects a serious misunderstanding of this great pillar of Islām. 

In reality, denying the obligation of Ḥajj amounts to Kufr. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “And whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Ḥajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allāh], then Allāh stands not in need of any of the 'Ālamīn (mankind and jinns).” Ibn ‘Abbās, Mujāhid, and several other scholars explained this verse by saying: “Whoever denies the necessity of Ḥajj becomes disbeliever, and Allāh is far Richer than to need him.” Al-Ḥafiẓ Abū Bakr Al-Ismā‘īli recorded that ‘Umar Ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) said, “Whoever can afford Ḥajj but did not perform it, there is no difference in his case if he dies while Jew or Christian.” [Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr 2/85] 

Because of this, the Islāmic jurists (Raḥimahullāh) stated that the verse carries a stern warning for those who possess the ability and resources to perform Ḥajj yet deliberately abandon it. Their negligence causes them to resemble the disbelievers in their actions.

What then are the conditions that make Ḥajj obligatory? The scholars of Jurisprudence mention six conditions: Islām, sanity, reaching puberty, freedom (i.e. not being enslaved), ability — both financial and physical — and for a woman to be accompanied by a Maḥram.

Consider also the immense reward attached to an accepted Ḥajj. Abū Hurayrah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said, “...And the accepted Ḥajj (greater pilgrimage) has no reward except Paradise.” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1773, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1349] In another narration also reported by Abū Hurayrah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu), the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever performs Ḥajj for Allāh's Pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Ḥajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 1521]

Subḥānallāh, what a tremendous opportunity Allāh (ﷻ) has placed before us! Through Ḥajj, He offers His servants purification from sins and the promise of Jannah. Would a believer willingly turn away from such a reward? I beseech Allāh to make Ḥajj easy for everyone who has not yet performed it and to accept it from those who already have. Aameen.