Fatwa ID: 02001
Answered by Mufti Abdullah al-Ma’mun
Question:
I have been due to perform hajj for a few years but due to personal involvements in dunya, have not been able to perform it and wanted to perform i
t this year. Unfortunately, my mother is planning the marriage around the same time and she is requesting me to delay the hajj for next year. She gives the following agreements:
- Hajj is fardh but is flexible and can be delayed for other matters.
- There will be too much strain on us economically funding the nikah (estimate 10 lac rupees/Indian) as well as the hajj (3000 pounds/3 lac rupees).
- I will have difficulty taking time off work for both.
- Nikah has been delayed for a few years due to the previous mas'ala already so should not be delayed.
Answer:
In the aforementioned question if you need to get married and fear that if it is delayed, it will be too difficult for you as a person or economically, then you must give priority to marriage. But if you don’t have any such fears, then it is 'better' that you perform Hajj first.
(see al-Fataawa al-Hindiyyah 1/216)
Allamah Ibn Qudaamah states:
“…and if he is more inclined towards marriage, and he fears hardship upon himself, he can give preference to marriage as it is wajib (necessary) upon him and he cannot do without it. Thus it is like his essential expenditure. (However), if he has no such fears, then he must give preference to Hajj because (in this case) marriage is voluntary hence cannot be preferred over hajj which is obligatory”
(al-Mughni 6/269)
Amongst the conditions of Hajj becoming obligatory on a person is that he must be able to 'afford' it, and based on what I’ve mentioned above, if marriage is been given priority then that leaves you incapable of covering the expenses of Hajj according to your mothers above stated 'agreement' number two.
Allah Almighty says:
“…and pilgrimage to the house is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah, (upon) everyone who is able to undertake the journey to it…”
(aal-'Imran 03/97)
Only Allah Knows Best
Written by Mufti Abdullah al-Ma’mun
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
