The Ability to Perform Hajj

The meaning of the 'ability' for performing Hajj

Question :

What is the ability' in reference to the Hajj? Is the person's reward greater when setting out to Makkah Al- Mukarramah or after his return from it? Is the person's reward with Allâh greater if he returns from Makkah to his homeland or to here first where he works?

Answer:

The ability' in reference to performing Hajj is that the person is of healthy body and he possesses the means of transportation that will get him to the Sacred House of Allâh. This could be an airplane or a car or an animal or a taxi, according to the person's situation. It also means that he possesses provisions that will suffice him in going and returning. Also, these provisions must be extra, after what is to be spent on whomever the person is obligated to spend on (i.e., take care of) until he returns from his Hajj. It also means that the woman has a husband or her Mahram with her during her journey for Hajj or 'Umrah.

In reference to the reward of his Hajj, this depends upon the degree of his sincerity to Allâh, what he performs of the Hajj rites, his avoiding those things that contradict the perfection of his Hajj, what he has spent of wealth and the amount of struggle that he has patiently born. It makes no difference whether he returns (to his land), stays (in Arabia) or dies before completing his Hajj or after it. Allâh knows best concerning his situation and He is the One Who is in control of his reward. What is obligatory upon the responsible person is to perform deeds and perfect his deeds. He must make sure that his deeds are in agreement with the Islamic law, outwardly and inwardly. He should treat the matter as if he sees his Lord, and even though he does not see Him, Allâh sees him and is aware of him. The person should not try to find out that which is left to Allâh. For verily He, glory is unto Him and exalted is He above imperfections, is Most Merciful with His servants. He increases their good rewards for them and He pardons the evil deeds. Your Lord does not wrong anyone. You are responsible for taking care of yourself and leave to Allâh that which is for Allâh, the Judge, the Most Just, the Most Kind and the Most Merciful. And Allâh is the Giver of success.

This is the ability'

Question :

What is the ability' concerning Hajj and what are its conditions?

Answer:

The ability' has been explained in the Hadith as the person having provisions and the means of transport. It is probably even more general than that. Whoever is able to reach Makkah by any means, he must perform Hajj and Umrah. If the person is able to walk and carry his necessary items or he finds someone who can take him, then he must do that. Even if he can get a hired transport from the modern means of transportation, such as steamships, cars and airplanes, then he must perform the Hajj. So, if the person finds the provisions and the means of transportation, but he does not have anyone to guard his possessions and his family, or he does not have anyone to spend on his family during the period of his absence, he is not required to perform Hajj due to the hardship. Likewise, if the road is dangerous or he fears thieves on the roads or the imposition of unfair taxes or there is not enough time for him to reach Makkah or he is not able to ride the means of transportation due to illness or some harm, he is not required to make Hajj. He must then appoint someone to perform Hajj on his behalf if he is financially able. If not, then the Hajj is not obligatory on him. And Allâh knows best.

Is it permissible for the Son to perform his obligatory Hajj with the Wealth of his Father?

Question :

I have a son who is approximately 20 years old. I have a car but I do not know how to drive a car and he (my son) is the one who drives. I wanted to perform Hajj in my car and at the same time my son can fulfill his obligation (of Hajj). He is a student in school. However, he heard that for the person who has not fulfilled his obligation (of Hajj), it is not permissible to fulfill it with the wealth of his father. He must work until he makes the value of what his Hajj will cost. I am well-off due to the bounty of Allâh. Please benefit me with an answer, and may Allâh reward you all.

Answer:

If the son performs his obligation (of Hajj) with the wealth of his father, his Hajj is correct. It is better for him to make haste in performing the Hajj with his father and help in driving the car, because this is a form of kindness and goodness towards his father.

I made an oath to Allâh that I would perform Hajj every year

Question :

Verily, I made an oath to Allâh that I would perform Hajj every year. Before that I was not employed, but now circumstances have forced me to take a job as a soldier, and my superior authority (in the military) will not allow me to perform Hajj every year. I hope for a beneficial reply. Is there any sin on me or not?

Answer:

If that which prevents you from the Hajj during some years is from the compelling matters that you cannot overcome, there is no sin on you. This is due to Allâh's Statement:
"Allah does not burden a soul except with what it can bear." There is also Allâh's Statement:
"Allah does not want to place any hardship on you all."

And success is from Allâh. May Allâh send blessings and peace upon our leader Muhammad and his Companions.

The need of the Job makes it permissible to delay the Hajj

Question :

For three years I have submitted requests to my employer so that I may perform the obligation of Hajj. However, the requests have been denied, as the work needs me. Is there any sin on me for that? Is there any sin on me if I perform Hajj without them knowing or without their agreement?

Answer:

Yes, as long as you are restrained by someone else against your will, there is no Hajj for you until after attaining the agreement of that other person. If the need requires that you stay (and not go for Hajj), there is no harm in that until the need goes away, either by someone else filling in for you or by some other method.

The ruling on the Hajj of a Worker and a Police Officer without the Permission of their Authorities

Question :

Is it permissible for the police officer to perform Hajj without the permission of his authorities?

Answer:

There is absolutely no Hajj for the worker and the police officer unless they have the permission of their autho- rities. It is not permissible for them to perform Hajj without the permission of their authorities, because their time is the right of the authority figures. It makes no difference whether the Hajj is an obligatory Hajj or a voluntary Hajj. This is also because the acts of Hajj hinder the worker and the police officer from certain things that they are required to do during its time.

The ruling on the Hajj of a Soldier with his Mother without the Permission of his Authorities

Question :

A person says: "I am a soldier with the police and I want to perform Hajj with my mother. However, my authorities will not give me permission. Is there any sin on me if I perform Hajj with my mother without the permission of my authorities?"

Answer:

You are an employee at your job, who receives a salary for the work you do. Your leaving the job without permission from your authorities to perform Hajj with your mother is an improper action. This is because your responsibility is to be occupied with the assigned work. This responsibility should not be occupied or interrupted with something that is contradictory to what it was previously busy with, unless it is something that has the right to be placed first before that work. For example, if you had not performed your obligatory Hajj before, there is nothing wrong with you performing Hajj without permission. This is because Hajj is something that you were responsible for before you became responsible for this government work. From this it is known that it is not permissible for you to perform Hajj with your mother without permission. It is also safer to seek permission (for Haj) if you have not performed your obligatory Hajj before. In reference to your mother, maybe it is possible for another one of her Mahrams to perform Hajj with her instead of you and you can pay the expenses if you wish to.

May Allâh send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions.

Source:
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 4 Pages from 55 to 60

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