Ruling on performing Hajj at the expense of a rich man

10-1-2010 | IslamWeb

Question:

My family members, who are five, want to perform Hajj, but the costs of going to ‘Umrah will be on my father's account. My father can pay them, but this will cost him much money and may affect his work. We know a rich man who takes some people with him when he performs Hajj. Is it permissible for my family members to go for Hajj on the expenses of a rich man, while they are able to cover the costs of Hajj?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

If that rich man sets a condition that those who go for Hajj or ‘Umrah with him must be among those who cannot afford the costs of Hajj or ‘Umrah, you will not be allowed to go with him as long as you are able to cover the costs. If he does not put this condition on those who go with him, the expenses of Hajj in this case will be like a gift from him and you are allowed to accept it without harm. However, it is preferable to perform Hajj from your own money in order to achieve the full reward. It should be noted that performing Hajj and ‘Umrah result in the increase in one's sustenance, not the opposite. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "Perform Hajj and ‘Umrah repeatedly for they expel poverty and sins as the bellows purify the impurities of iron." [At-Tirmithi]

Allaah Knows best.