A woman came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "My mother vowed to perform the Hajj but she died before
performing it. Should I perform the Hajj on her behalf?" He said, "Yes! Perform the Hajj on her
behalf. See, if your mother had been in debt, would you have paid her debt?" She said, "Yes." He said,
"So you should pay what is for Him as Allah has more right that one should fulfill one's obligations to
Him. "
Narrated by Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
Context
In this hadith, a woman approached the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to seek guidance regarding her deceased mother who had vowed to perform Hajj but passed away before she could fulfill this obligation. The Prophet (ﷺ) affirmed that she should perform Hajj on her mother's behalf, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling obligations to Allah, similar to repaying a debt. This interaction highlights the compassionate nature of Islamic teachings regarding the deceased and their unfulfilled vows.
Modern Application
Today, this principle encourages individuals to honor the wishes of deceased loved ones by performing acts of worship on their behalf, such as Hajj or charity. It reflects a broader understanding of responsibility and care for family obligations, reminding us to maintain connections even after death.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Hajj because it addresses the obligation of performing Hajj on behalf of a deceased person who had intended to fulfill this duty.
And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs 'umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty.
Prescribed for you when death approaches [any] one of you if he leaves wealth [is that he should make] a bequest for the parents and near relatives according to what is acceptable - a duty upon the righteous.
The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves, and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers. And those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah than the [other] believers and the emigrants, except that you may do to your close associates a kindness [through bequest]. That was in the Book inscribed.
O Prophet, when the believing women come to you pledging to you that they will not associate anything with Allah, nor will they steal, nor will they commit unlawful sexual intercourse, nor will they kill their children, nor will they bring forth a slander they have invented between their arms and legs, nor will they disobey you in what is right - then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.
This hadith is #7038 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Holding Fast to the Qur'an and Sunnah. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Ibn `Abbas:.