didnt perform haj ?

[Mohammed Khan]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

If one performs many umra and for whatever reason is unable to carry out a haj through no fault of their own has he/she failed in their duty as a muslim ? Or will the many umra count as reward of haj ?

[Imam]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

Wa' laykum-as-Salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu.

A very good question brother Muhammad Khan. But one that has a very good solution.

How?

Then we all know that Hajj is fard upon every man and woman who are above the age of maturity, and who have the financial means to perform it.

If, like you say, one is unable to carry out a Hajj, through no fault of their own, then Allah the Almighty doesnt burden anybody with such an action i.e. Hajj, but rather creates exceptions as is mentioned above.

The only time, when one fails in his duty as a Muslim, to perform the Hajj, is when having the health, the finance, the means such as transport, and the age are neglected, even though when numerous chances of performance of Hajj have arisen, but still fails to comply with such a chance, by way of forgetfulness, neglect, lack of confidence, denial, or any other reason preventing him from performing the Hajj, will render in him/her in having failed his/her duty as a Muslim.

While we still have the age, the mentality, the finances and other means, we should try to lift the burden of the fard of performing Hajj, away, as quickly as we can, so that in the event of death/disaster, then we have already fulfilled our duty.

However such a performance will in no way limit/affect future performances of the same kind in any way, as they will be a means of good spending (sakhawah), good struggle (mujaahidah), worship ('ibaadah), and reward (thawaab).

So what is more greater than seeing the House of Allah the Almighty, and the House of His Beloved Messenger's House (peace be upon Him) solely, and a means for performing the Hajj and Umrah?

It must be noted, that if you have the intention, then no doubt you will be rewarded for that intention. But nothing is more rewarding than actually being close to your Creator, and His Beloved. Furthermore, you will only be rewarded for performing the Hajj/umrah once you have performed it, and not merely by having the intention!

It is highly unlikely, that you will gain reward for a Hajj if you perform 'Umrah, although you may gain reward for 'Umrah if you perform a certain type of Hajj. The reward for a Hajj has its own reward, and the reward for an Umrah has it's own reward, there is no similarity in reward for Hajj/Umrah, although there is a dissimlarity in abundance of reward, yet the Hajj carries a higher reward.

May Allah the Almighty, take us all to see His House, and the House of His Beloved Messenger (peace be upon Him). (Amin).

I hope that these issues do answer your question, and that they reach you in good health..... (Amin).

Wallahu a'lamu Biththawaab,

M. Waseem Ashrafi.