Is Hajj an immediate obligation, or is it permissible to delay it?

Question : This questioner says: Is Hajj an immediate obligation, or is it to be done gradually?

Answer : Hajj is an immediate obligation. It is not permissible for a person in whom the conditions for its obligation have been met to delay it. This is because the default regarding the commands of Allah and His Messenger is to hasten to perform them. Yes. And not to be slow or negligent. Also, because a person does not know what may befall him in the future. He may be rich and able today, and poor and unable tomorrow. He may perhaps die before performing this obligatory duty. And he may have heirs who are negligent in performing it on his behalf. Then, some scholars hold that if a person is able to perform Hajj and leaves it off due to negligence, carelessness, and indifference, it does not benefit him if his guardians perform it on his behalf after his death. This is the serious issue. It falls upon the one whom Allah has blessed.