Why have People Failing to Perform Hajj Been Likened to Jews and Christisns? Print
Kitabul Hajj - General

Why have People Failing to Perform Hajj Been Likened to Jews and Christisns?

Q: Hajj-4: Why has the Ahadeeth likened people failing to perform Hajj to Jews and Christians?

Answer: In Islaam, Hajj is the fourth pillar and classified as Fardh Ain. The person who rejects this obligation is a Kaafir and one who fails to perform it is a grave sinner.

Hadhrat Ali RADI. reports a Hadith in which Rasulullaah SAW. said, "The person who does not perform Hajj despite possessing the provisions and transport, then it is no wonder if he passes away as a Jew or a Christian.

Explaining the similitude, Hadhrat Shah Wali'ullaah Muhaddith Dehlawi RAH. states, "The person who forsakes Hajj has been likened to the Jews and Christians and the one who forsakes salaah has been likened to the Mushrikeen because the Jews and Christians performed salaah and did not perform Hajj, while the Mushrikeen performed Hajj and did not perform salaah.

Referring to such people, Hadhrat Umar RADI. said, "They can never be Muslims! They can never be Muslims!" He also maintained that the Janaazah salaah should not be performed for the person who did not perform Hajj despite having the ability to do so. Apart from Hadhrat Umar RADI. other eminent Muhadditheen and saints also held me opinion that the Janaazah salaah should not be performed for the person who did not perform Hajj despite having the ability to do so. These include Hadhrat Sa'eed bin Jubayr RAH. Ibraheem Nakha'ee RAH., Mujaahid RAH., Tawoos RAH. and others.

When Hajj becomes Fardh, Rasulullaah SAW. emphasised that one should hasten because one may fall ill or lose the wealth. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.3