عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللّهُ عَنْهُمَا: أَنَّ امْرَأَةً قَالَتْ: يَا رَسُولَ اللّهِ، إِنَّ فَرِيضَةَ اللّهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ فِي الْحَجِّ أَدْرَكَتْ أَبِي شَيْخًا كَبِيرًا، لا يَثبُتُ عَلَى الرَّاحِلَةِ، أَفَأَحُجُّ عَنْهُ؟ قَالَ: «نَعَمْ» مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ.
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that a woman said: "O Messenger of Allah, Allah's obligation of Hajj upon His servants has come due for my father while he is a very old man who cannot remain firm upon a mount. May I perform Hajj on his behalf?" He said: "Yes." Agreed upon (al-Bukhari and Muslim).
الشرح · explanation
أدركت أبي: أي وجب عليه الحجّ وهو على هذه الحال من الشيخوخة وظاهر الحديث يدل على أن المانع هو عدم الاستطاعة الجسدية بسبب الشيخوخة مع توفر الاستطاعة المادية من امتلاك الزاد والراحلة عندها. لا يثبت: لا يستقر. الراحلة: ما يركب من الدواب ليرحل عليه.
"has come due for my father": that is, Hajj became obligatory upon him while he was in this state of old age. The apparent meaning of the hadith indicates that the impediment was the lack of physical ability due to old age, while the material means—possession of provisions and a mount—were available to her. "cannot remain firm": he cannot stay steady upon it. al-rahilah (the mount): a riding beast one mounts in order to travel upon it.
الدروس · lessons
تأكيد أمر الحجّ حتى إنّه لا يسقط عن المكلّف إذا عجز عن مباشرته بنفسه بل ينيب عنه من يقوم به ويؤديه بالواسطة عنه. مباشرة الحجّ بالنفس فيه فضل عظيم وثواب وفير. برّ الوالدين والاعتناء بهما والقيام بمصالحهما الدينية والدنيوية. جواز الحجّ عن المتوفى.
An emphasis on the matter of Hajj, such that it does not fall away from the one obligated even when he is unable to perform it himself; rather he appoints someone to undertake it and carry it out on his behalf. Performing Hajj in person carries great merit and abundant reward. Dutifulness to parents, caring for them, and attending to their religious and worldly interests. The permissibility of performing Hajj on behalf of the deceased.