Some LAME excuses people use for not going to Hajj

By Asma bint Shameem

Excuse # 1: I am too busy with Work

Some people delay Hajj because they say they can’t find time to take off from work. But don’t they see the very fact that they didn’t take time out for Hajj is the reason why Allaah kept them so busy with work?

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Allah says: ‘Son of Adam: Fill your time with My worship and I will fill your heart with richness, and end off your poverty. But if you don’t, I would make your hands fully busy (i.e. in worldly affairs) and I would not end off your poverty.’” (At-Tirmidhi said that it is a good hadeeth)

And he said:

“Verily Allah tests His servant with what He has given him. So whoever is content with whatever he has been assigned, then Allah will bless him in it, and give him more! But whoever is not content (with what he has been given), then he will not be blessed in it.” (Ahmad-saheeh).

If you make your intention sincerely for the sake of Allaah and do your best to take time from work, Allaah will provide it for you.

“And whoever fears Allaah, He will make for him an easy way out and provide for him sustenance from sources he could never imagine. Whoever places his reliance upon Allaah, Allaah will suffice Him. Indeed Allaah is one who can achieve His purpose and He has appointed a measure for everything.” (Talaq:2-3)

Excuse # 2: I am not spiritually ready

Some people say I am not spiritually strong, I am not much of a believer and thus not ready to go or they say I think I should only do Hajj when I have figured out Salah and Zakah and I am practicing Islaam fully…
Don’t you see? That is the whispering of the Shaytaan in your heart. He does not want you to go and earn all the reward and Jannah.
All you got to do is to try hard to improve yourself, putting your trust in Him and surely He will guide you.

“And (as for) those who strive hard for Us, We will most certainly guide them in Our ways; and Allah is most surely with the doers of good.” [Ankabut:69]

We all know people who weren’t fully practicing Muslims prior to making the Hajj, yet once they came back from Hajj they went under this amazing transformation and Alhamdulillah they are now practicing fully. So don’t think like that, just go.

Excuse # 3: Yeah, insha Allaah next year…..next year…..then next year

Subhaan Allaah, some people have no excuse not to go for Hajj. Yet when you ask them when they are going for hajj, they say “yeah, insha Allaah next year. But somehow that ‘next year’ never comes.
Don’t be like those people. Make your intention to go for Hajj NOW. Don’t even wait till tomorrow. Do it now and prepare for this journey, while you have the ability. For you never know when death will overtake you or some other trial may befall you that will unable you to go. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Take advantage of five before five: Your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you become occupied, and your life before your death.” (Bukhari)

Ali, radhiAllaahu ‘anhu, once stood at the head of a grave and said to his companion, “If he had a chance to return to this life, what do you think he would do?” His companion replied, “He would do nothing but good deeds.” Ali (RA) then said, “If it is not going to be him, then let it be you.”

Excuse # 4: When Allaah wants me to come, Allaah will call me

Sure, guidance is in Allaah’s Hands. Yet you have to work hard to qualify for that guidance. Remember that Allaah will not throw the guidance in your lap from up above. It is YOU who has to make the effort. Just like if you are hungry… Allaah will not throw the food down from the sky. You have to get up and cook that food.
Allaah orders us to make that effort. Allaah says:

“O you who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) Allah and seek means of nearness to Him and strive hard in His way that you may be successful.” [Surah Maidah:35]

Excuse # 5: Its too much hard work

Do you realize how much hard work we do for the dunya? Most of our lives we spend working hard for our studies, our livelihood, our families, our businesses, and we can’t bear to work hard for the Aakhirah? Sure, Hajj is hard work but then, isn’t Jannah worth it? The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“The reward of Hajj Mabrur is nothing but Jannah.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

“And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it as he ought to strive and he is a believer; (as for) these, their striving shall surely be accepted.” [al-Israa‘:19]

‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab is quoted as saying, “I seek Allaah’s protection from the time when the ‘fasiq’ or disobedient will have much energy and enthusiasm and the righteous will be lazy.”

Excuse # 6: It takes too long

Some people use the length of Hajj as an excuse each year for delaying or not going. How long does it take?! Just 2-3 weeks! As if they haven’t taken that much time for vacations?!

To them I want to say, planning is everything. If you plan from now for Hajj next year, you can save up your vacation time and use it for the most important journey of your life. Or you can just choose an express Hajj package (about 10-14 days). And remember that the stay in Medina is not a part of Hajj.

Excuse # 7: Its too hot

A Canadian may say it’s too cold. An African will say it’s too hot. Both are making excuses for not doing good actions. Remember, it was summer in the desert during the time of the Battle of Tabuk, and the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) was rallying his troops for an exhaustive trip that, back then, would have taken them months. That’s when the hypocrites told the people ‘do not go out in the heat’. Allaah said to tell them,

“that the fire of hell is much hotter; if only they understood.” (Tauba:81)

Excuse # 8: I’ll wait until my kids are older/get married

Similarly, Muslims might delay Hajj and give themselves time by saying, “let me wait till my kids are older, or till my daughter gets married (and their daughter may only be 5 years old!)… let me wait till I do this , let me wait till I do that.”

This is also just a way of procrastination and nothing else. Remember that hajj is an obligation in Islaam. It is fardh upon you. If you have the means and you have not yet done your obligatory hajj, the ulama say that it is better for you to do Hajj, rather than delaying it if your kids are young.

The Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) said, “Race to good deeds before a time and a fitnah comes, (a test) that will sweep over you like the darkest of the darkest nights.”
Obviously, for the one whose kids are of marriageable age and has just enough money for either Hajj or marriage, the Ulama say:
“If there is a conflict between the father’s Hajj and the son’s getting married, because the father only has enough money for one of them, then he should look to see whether his son’s marriage is essential right now, or can it be delayed? If the son needs to get married and fears that he may do something haraam, then getting him married takes precedence over the father’s doing Hajj.” (www.islamqa.com)

Beware of lame excuses

The Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) advised a man:

“Pray your prayer as if it is your last, as if you are seeing Him (Allah), for even if you do not see Him then He sees you. And give up hope (of obtaining) what other’s possess, then you will live a rich life. And beware of anything that you might (later) have to make an excuse for.” (Bukhari in his al-Tarikh, and al-Tabarani-saheeh)