Delaying the performance of Hajj

Hadhrat Ibn ‘Abbaas Radiyallahu ‘Anhu said: “Whoever has sufficient means to perform Hajj and does not do so, or enough wealth making Zakaat obligatory on him, and he does not discharge it, at the time of his death he shall surely beg to be sent back to the world.” (Tirmidhi)

The fact that they shall beg to be returned to this earth is a reference to the verse in Surah Mu’minoon which is as follows:

حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءَ أَحَدَهُمُ الْمَوْتُ قَالَ رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ لَعَلِّي أَعْمَلُ صَالِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ  كَلَّا  إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَائِلُهَا  وَمِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ بَرْزَخٌ إِلَى يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ [المؤمنون: 99-100]

“Until the time arrives when death comes to any one of them, then (when he sees the punishment in store for him) he says, “O my Rabb! Allow me to return (to the world). So that I may perform good deeds in that (worldly life) which I have left behind.” Never (they will never do as they say)! It (their promise to lead better lives) is merely a statement that they speak (an empty promise, they will be unable to return to the world because) Behind them is “Barzakh” (a barrier preventing their return, which will remain in place) until the day that they are resurrected (until the Day of Qiyaamah).

Hazrat ‘Aa’isha Radiyallahu ‘Anha says: “For the sinner the grave means destruction. Black snakes will start biting him from the head (downwards) and from the feet (upwards) until they meet biting up to the waist. That is the punishment of the Barzakh mentioned in the Ayah above. (Durrul Manthoor)

It is reported that Hadhrat Ibn ‘Abbaas Radiyallahu ‘Anhu said: “Whoever has the means to go for Hajj and does not do so, or has sufficient wealth that makes Zakaat obligatory on him and he does not do so, then at the time of death he shall beg to return to the world.” Hearing this someone asked: But that is what the disbelievers will do?” (In other words, the verse refers not to the Muslims but to the non- Muslims.)

Thereupon Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas Radiyallāhu ‘Anhu said: “I will then recite to you other Ayaat from the Qur’aan where Muslims too will beg for the same.” He then recited the last Ayaats of Surah Munaafiqoon:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ  وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ○

وَأَنْفِقُوا مِنْ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَى أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُنْ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ○

وَلَنْ يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا  وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ○ [المنافقون: 9-11]

“O you who have Imaan! Let not your wealth and your children (the things of this world) make you neglect Allah’s remembrance (the duties that you owe to Allah). Those who do this are certainly losers (who will lose the bounties of the Aakhirah).

Spend (for Allah’s pleasure) from what We have provided for you before death comes to any of you and then he says, “O my Rabb! Why do you not grant me respite (additional time to continue living) for a little while longer so that I can spend in charity and become of the righteous?”

(However,) Allah shall not grant respite (an opportunity to continue living) to any soul when its term (the time for its death) arrives. Allah is Informed of what you do.”