❖ Complete Shari’ah Guidance: Is Hajj Obligatory on a Debtor? ❖
Derived from: Fatāwā Arkan-e-Islam
❀ Question:
Is Hajj obligatory upon a person who is in debt?
❀ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
When a person is under such a debt that his entire wealth would be consumed in repaying it, then Hajj is not obligatory upon him in such a condition. The reason for this is that Allah ﷻ has made Hajj obligatory only upon the one who possesses the capability — both financial and physical.
❀ Qur’anic Evidence:
Allah ﷻ states:
﴿وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النّاسِ حِجُّ البَيتِ مَنِ استَطاعَ إِلَيهِ سَبيلًا…﴿٩٧﴾﴾… سورة آل عمران
“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way…”
(Surah Aali ‘Imran, 3:97)
❀ Understanding the Meaning of Istiṭāʿah (Capability):
If a person is in such debt that after repayment, nothing remains with him, then this clearly means that he does not possess financial capability. In such a case:
① ❖ He must first pay off his debt.
② ❖ Later, when financial ease is attained, he should then perform Hajj.
❀ If the Debt is Less than the Total Wealth:
If the debt amount is less than his wealth and after repaying the debt, some money still remains, then:
✿ After settling the debt, performing Hajj becomes possible — whether it is obligatory (Fard) or voluntary (Nafl).
❀ In Case of Obligatory Hajj:
✿ If it is Fard Hajj, then the individual is liable to perform it and it becomes necessary for him to fulfill it as soon as possible.
❀ In Case of Voluntary (Nafl) Hajj:
✿ If it is a Nafl Hajj, then the person has the option — he may perform it if he wishes, and if he chooses not to, there is no sin upon him.
ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
