Question

What is the authenticity of the following Hadith?

“Whoever has the provisions and the means to convey him to Allah’s House and he does not perform Hajj, then it does not matter if he dies as a Jew or a Christian. That is because Allah Ta’ala said in His Book ‘And Hajj is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for whomever is able to bear the journey”

Answer

This Hadith is suitable and its warning should definitely be heeded.

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) and has declared the chain weak.

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 812)

Additional support

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) cites three supporting narrations and then says:

“When these [various versions] are combined [which includes a mawquf and mursal], then it will be understood that this Hadith has a basis and the mistake of those who declared this Hadith a fabrication is evident”

(Talkhisul Habir, vol. 4, pg. 1508-1511. Also see footnotes on Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah, Hadith: 14665)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar