Allah (Glorious and Exalted) states in His Holy Book, “And complete Hajj and Umrah for Allah” (Qur’an 2:196)
“One Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and another Umrah” Bukhari, Muslim
We must remember our sole purpose of doing Hajj/Umrah is for the sake of Allah and love for His Messenger Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam. This is more than just a trip. It’s not like you’re going to see skyscrapers, beaches, oceans etc. It’s a spiritual journey, to seek forgiveness and gain close proximity to Allah. Nowadays many people prepare their taste buds to go and enjoy KFC, Burger King etc. Some people have heard about the ‘clock tower’ and the hotel chains and want the best 5 star hotels there are. That should not be our purpose at all. Having such intentions and hopes often leads to disappointments, complaints and even quarrels. This takes away the purpose of our journey and once we come back, there’s no real change within ourselves.
In the entire world of a population of around 7billion, Allah chose you to perform Hajj/Umrah. Our passports, visas, wealth are no way guarantees of this journey. They are just means. In the past people used to walk, ride on animals, take a boat etc. for Umrah and Hajj. Even till this day people travel in similar ways. Many used to leave months earlier from home to reach the holy lands. But some used to die on the way.
They missed out:
A brother was on a Hajj flight. When the door of the plane opened in Jeddah, the brother said ‘the weather is too hot’, and took the next flight back to London.
Some brothers and sisters were heading to London’s Heathrow Airport. Everything was ready. However, they got caught up in traffic and subsequently missed their flight. Thus ended their hope of doing Hajj that year.
A brother was in his hotel in Makkah during the Hajj season when he had developed a high temperature. As a result, he was unable to perform Hajj.
On a Hajj flight from London to Jeddah, a sister sadly died.
And there are many more stories like this. The lesson is, everything is within Allah’s will. Our abilities, wealth etc. do not take us there.