Islam Question and Answer - Can a person who has long-term debts go for Hajj?

Mon 6/12/1430 - 23/11/2009

» What should be done if Eid coincides with Friday.

» The time for udhiyah (sacrifice).

» Guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) regarding Eid prayers.

» He forgot to fast the third day during Hajj and fasted it after he returned home.

» Ruling on Eid prayers .

» For how many people is the udhiyah sufficient?.

» Ruling on fasting the days of al-tashreeq.

» He wants to offer naafil prayers after praying Zuhr and ‘Asr in ‘Arafah.

» Is it haraam to buy and sell after the farewell tawaaf?.

» Refutation of those who say that women should not pray Eid in the mosque.

41739

Principles of Fiqh » Jurisprudence and Islamic Rulings » Acts of Worship » Pilgrimage » Shuroot wujoob al-Hajj (conditions of Hajj being obligatory)

Can a person who has long-term debts go for Hajj?

I know that Hajj is not obligatory for one who owes a debt. Does this apply to one who has long-term debts? Some people may have mortgages which it will take a lifetime to pay off. Do they have to perform Hajj?.

Praise be to Allaah.

A debt which is due now takes precedence over Hajj, because this obligation comes before Hajj. So he should pay off the debt and do Hajj. If he has nothing left after paying off the debt, then he should wait until Allaah makes him independent of means. If it is a long-term debt to be paid off at a future date, and the person feels confident that he will be able to pay it on the agreed date, then in this case the debt does not mean that Hajj is not obligatory for him, whether the lender gives him permission or not. If there is no guarantee that he will be able to pay it off as agreed, then he should wait until the date for the payment comes.

Based on that we say: if a person owes a debt to the mortgage fund, if he knows that when the time comes he will pay his debt, then Hajj is obligatory for him, even if he owes a debt.

Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 21/96

See also the answer to question no. 36852.

Islam Q&A