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ArticlesQuestion
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?
Fatwa
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
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.
Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him - his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah.} [Quran 4:100]
Also, the Prophet was reported to have said: “Whoever sincerely asks Allah for martyrdom, Allah Will grant him the status of the martyrs even if he dies in his bed.” [Muslim]
was reported to have said: “Whoever sincerely asks Allah for martyrdom, Allah Will grant him the status of the martyrs even if he dies in his bed.” [Muslim]Moreover, the Prophet 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 Allah, but they were in Al-Madeenah.” He said, “They were in Al-Madeenah because some excuse forced them to stay back.” [Al-Bukhari on the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him] [Muslim on the authority of Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him]
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 Allah, but they were in Al-Madeenah.” He said, “They were in Al-Madeenah because some excuse forced them to stay back.” [Al-Bukhari on the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him] [Muslim on the authority of Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him]However, this does not indicate that a person who is endowed and guided by Allah to actually perform an act of disobedience will not reap greater reward. This is because Allah 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, Allah Willing, as much as he had a true and sincere intention. The reward for his intention will be recorded for him. Allah 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.
Allah Knows best.
