If a person intended to perform the obligation of Hajj and died before Hajj was due, will the reward for his intention be recorded for him?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

A Muslim’s intention is of great status and importance. If someone has a righteous intention, he may attain by his intention, even if he does not couple it with action, what cannot be attained by someone who actually performed the act of obedience. It was reported that the intention of a believer is better than his practice, but the authenticity of Hadeeth is debatable.

Many texts indicate that if a person truly intends to do an act of worship but is hindered from performing that act of worship, then he will be rewarded for it as if he had done it.

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allaah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him - his reward has already become incumbent upon Allaah.} [Quran 4:100]

Also, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was reported to have said, “Whoever sincerely asks Allaah for martyrdom, Allaah Will grant him the status of the martyrs even if he dies in his bed.” [Muslim]

Moreover, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to his Companions while returning from the battle of Tabook, “In Al-Madeenah, there are some people who, whenever you march or cross a valley, are with you and share your reward.” They said: “O Messenger of Allaah, but they were in Al-Madeenah.” He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, “They were in Al-Madeenah because some excuse forced them to stay back.” [Al-Bukhari on the authority of Anas ] [Muslim on the authority of Jaabir ]

However, this does not indicate that a person who is endowed and guided by Allaah to actually perform an act of obedience will not reap greater reward. This is because Allaah confers this grace upon whom He Wills.

Thus, a person who intended to perform Hajj and was hindered from it because he could not reach the Ka‘bah or died before he was capable of performing the rites of Hajj, has actually done what he can do and thus will be rewarded, Allaah Willing, as much as he had a true and sincere intention. The reward for his intention will be recorded for him. Allaah The Almighty is Generous and does not allow the reward of anyone who practiced well to be lost.

Finally, it should be noted that being rewarded for the intention does not drop the obligation of Hajj and his family should perform it on his behalf from his money, if he left any.

Allaah Knows best.