Fatwa ID: 05103

Answered by: Alimah Sofia Mirza

Question

Would it be permissible for someone to pay for Hajj with a UK student maintenance loan? The loan was taken out when the one who took it out thought it was permissible.

Moreover, if it is haram to pay for hajj with this money or it won’t count towards fulfilling the obligation of Hajj and asking for the money back from the hajj travel agent will also require notifying other people they were planning on going with, how should this be done while avoiding making a sin public, if this counts as a sin?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

It is imperative that one should strive to acquire halal money and stay away from interest-based loans, the Hajj performed with unlawful money despite being fulfilled from his obligation he will not be rewarded for that Hajj. The obligation of Hajj is fulfilled because the rites and conditions of Hajj have been performed but the rewarded and accepted Hajj depends on the sincerity and the lawful wealth[1], therefore you should avoid using this money for Hajj. It is not necessary to inform people regarding the details of withdrawing but one can simply just say due to some circumstances the Hajj journey will have to be postponed.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Alimah Sofia Mirza

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1] Raddul Mukhtar, Daru Aalim il Kutub, Vol 3, Pg.453