Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, the prominent Muslim scholar, states the following: “Hajj has been made mandatory only on those who can afford it as Allah the Almighty and His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, have said. It is mandatory only once in the lifetime of every Muslim as the Ulama unanimously stated. Al-Bukhari, and Muslim have narrated that when the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, was asked about Hajj, he was asked, ‘do we make it every year’. His response was that “if I say yes, then it would be prescribed upon you, and you won’t be able to make it annually”. However, the question remains that if the condition of Making is available, would it be mandatory to make it immediately or can it be delayed? The majority of scholars have said it should be made “immediately”, and those who postpone it are committing a wrongdoing. If the person passes away without making it although he/she is able, then, they are mistaken and would be punished unless Allah the Almighty forgives them.
In fact, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, has encouraged Muslims to take advantage of their health, and financial ability to make Hajj before getting sick, or financial conditions may change. It was narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, had said “Make Hajj, you never know what will happen.” However, Imam Shafi`i said that Hajj is mandatory and there is no harm in delaying it. His proof is that, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, has made Hajj in the 10th year after Hijrah although it was prescribed in the sixth. If it is an immediate, then the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, would have made it immediately, but Shafi`i supports the opinion that prefers making Hajj immediately whenever conditions are conducive. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said that Allah the Almighty says “A slave of mine whom I granted good health, showered him with bounties, and five years passes and he/she doesn’t come to Me in Ihram is deprived.” And when Allah the Almighty has said “Pilgrimage thereto is a duty – men owe to Allah – those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.” This is why Allah the Almighty said at the end of the verse “Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.” In conclusion, the Prophet’s Sunnah stands for the idea of making Hajj whenever conditions are available.”