Death on the Way to Hajj: Is the Obligation Lifted, and Is Hajj Badal Required?

Question

Zayd's trade and business were in the city of Madras, while his original home and family are at a distance of 75 miles from Madras. Zayd used to come home from Madras once every week or ten days. Meanwhile, Zayd resolved to perform Hajj. Having completed his preparations for Hajj and taken leave of his home, he reached Madras and also bought the tickets for Hajj; but before boarding the train to Bombay he suddenly fell ill and died of this illness within a week. In such a case, has the obligation (farida)

Answer

If Hajj became fard upon Zayd in this very year, and before that Zayd did not have such means that Hajj would have become fard upon him, and Zayd died before the time of Hajj came, then there is no sin upon Zayd for not performing this Hajj, because Zayd did not find the time to perform Hajj: before this year Hajj had not become fard because he lacked the means; this year the…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.