Hajj is termed the ‘Major Pilgrimage’ of the Islamic faith. The holy journey of hajj is undertaken by Muslims from across the globe every year during the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Paying for the cost of hajj, pilgrims reach Makkah through their hajj packages and commence holy rituals on the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah. For the next 5 days, pilgrims perform a variety of different rituals and at different places (as specified in the Sunnah). The 12th day of Dhul-Hijjah marks the end of the Hajj period. After which some pilgrims start returning to their homes while others also go for the Ziyarath of the holy sites present in the region.
Here’s a brief guide on the obligation of Hajj.
5th pillar of the Islamic faith.
Hajj is the fifth yet fundamental pillar of Islam. It’s an equally important Ibadah to be observed by the Muslims however only when certain conditions are fulfilled. That’s why hajj hasn’t been obligatory for all Muslims but only for those who possess all the financial as well as physical means for it.
Being a Muslim.
Hajj is an obligatory Ibadah for Muslims only as it is the pillar of the Islamic faith. Non-believers are not allowed to enter Masjid-al-Haram let alone performing hajj rituals. Therefore, it can be said that in order to be able to perform hajj the very first and essential condition to be fulfilled is being a Muslim i.e., the person must have embraced Shahadah.
The question of Financial Capability.
Among the many conditions that need to be fulfilled in order to determine the obligation of hajj for a person, financial capability is the most significant one. As per the teachings of the Quran and Hadith, Hajj is only obligatory for those Muslims who possess all the means to afford it. For instance;
1. Having enough money to afford a hajj trip such that all of your other financial expenditures or living standard remains unbothered.
2. Possessing the financial ability to afford all of the hajj expenses; paying for all of your travel, food, living, transportation, visa, and accommodation expenses as well as for any single thing you might need from your departure to returning home.
3. Providing enough provisions to fulfill the expenditures of your family back home till your return.
If all of these conditions satisfy, then hajj becomes an obligation for such an adult Muslim and is advised to undertake it as soon as he/she can.
Hajj with borrowed money; is it possible?
If one doesn’t have the financial capability to afford hajj, it isn’t obligatory for him/her to undertake hajj pilgrimage in the first place. Therefore, the question of borrowing money for hajj doesn’t even exist i.e., it is only obligatory when you have all the provisions to afford it by yourself. Even if one can take out a loan (riba-free) and also has the financial means to pay it back in time easily, still such a person won’t be considered religiously capable for it i.e., Hajj with the borrowed money won’t suffice for his Hajja-tul-Islam.
These are some of the basic things to know about the hajj performance with borrowed money.
