—so one must hasten to fulfil the obligation. Shaykh al-Islām said, “Ḥajj is to be performed immediately according to the majority of scholars.” If a person dies without having performed it, despite being able, he is—by unanimous agreement—sinful.
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The ḥadith demonstrates that a divine command entails obligation, for the Prophet ﷺ said, “Had I answered, it would have become binding.”
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It shows that Allah’s legislation addresses people in line with their capacity; the Exalted has not burdened His creation with more than they can bear. Allah says, “Allah does not charge a soul except according to its capability.” ⦗2:286⦘
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The report reflects the Prophet’s compassion for his community: he disliked the man’s question because it probed an issue about which revelation had remained silent, fearing that if it were pursued and then made obligatory, hardship would ensue.
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From the legislation of ḥajj in this narration—and as stated explicitly in some versions, “Had I said ‘Yes,’ it would have become obligatory, and you would not have been able”—it is understood that the ruling is meant to be one of ease and facility, not of hardship and difficulty as the questioner supposed.