Mathaba

Category: Q&A – Pilgrimage

  • Hajj while Still Repaying Loan Installments

    Hajj while Still Repaying Loan Installments

    Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat

    Question:

    My husband had taken a car loan and the repayment installments will continue another 2-3 years. We are planning to perform Hajj very soon. Would it be permissible to perform Hajj during the loan repayment period?

    Answer:

    Jazakumullahu Khayran/ Thank you for your question.

    May Allah bless you for your sincere intentions to increase in rendering good deeds.

    It is important to note that paying off debts is an obligatory injunction and one will be questioned regarding outstanding debts by Almighty Allah. There is no doubt that it would be strongly advised to pay off your debts rather than proceed for Hajj.

    It is however worthy to mention that your Hajj would still be considered complete In-sha Allah, if you do choose to proceed without settling debts.

    Some amongst the learned have also stated that if you seek permission from your creditors, or in the case where you are making steady installment payments, that would not be affected due to the Hajj journey, there would be no objection in proceeding for Hajj.

    Regarding debt, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has stated,

    “I seek protection from disbelief and debt” (Nasai, Hakim)

    “The one who dies in a state having even a single [outstanding] gold or silver coin, the matter will be settled (with creditors) through his good deeds, as there is no gold or silver (currency) in the hereafter.” (Ibn Majah, Tabrani)

    Allah Knows Best.

  • Hajj for a Deceased Person

    Hajj for a Deceased Person

    Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat

    Question:

    Can we “perform haj” for a dead person?

    Answer:

    Jazakumullahu Khayran/ Thank you for your question.

    In principle, both Ḥajj and ‘Umrah can be performed on behalf of another believer, regardless of whether they are a parent or a non-relative, sickly, healthy, alive or deceased.

    It is worthy to note that some Islamic jurists have stated that one must be delegated to render Ḥajj or ‘Umrah on behalf of another.

    Some jurists have also specified that Ḥajj or ‘Umrah on behalf of another should only be rendered when the individual delegating is unable [has a disability] or deceased. (See: Masū’ah al Fiqhiyyah)

    Abū Razīn Al-‘Aqīlī [Laqīṭ ibn Āmir] (may Allāh be pleased with him) reports he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) and asked, “O Messenger of Allāh, my father is very old, unable to perform Ḥajj or ‘Umrah nor able to travel” The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said, “Perform Ḥajj and ‘Umrah on behalf of your father!” (Tirmidhī)

    A woman came to the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) and asked, “My mother is deceased and was unable to perform Ḥajj, can I perform Ḥajj on her behalf? The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said, “Yes, do perform Ḥajj on her behalf!” (Tirmidhī)

    And Allah Knows Best.

  • Use of Contraceptives During Hajj

    Use of Contraceptives During Hajj

    Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat

    Question:

    For women, if our menses fall during Hajj or last ten days of Ramadan, is it okay to use contraceptives to delay our cycle so we can pray and fast on those days?

    Answer:

    Jazakumullahu Khayr/ Thank you for your question.

    In such situations, it is advisable to consult medical experts. If they assure you that there would be no adverse side effects due to artificially delaying the menstruation, then it would be permissible otherwise not.

    Allah Knows Best

  • Hajj While In an Interest Based Loan

    Hajj While In an Interest Based Loan

    Question

    Aslaamualaikum, I had a few questions regarding Hajj because, Inshallah, my mom and dad are really considering it this year. They have the money to go and were skeptical about certain issues that were clouding their judgment.

    First, my mom is very hesitant to go because of the fact that we have a house and we are paying mortgage on it and within the mortgage there is interest. She believes that it would be wiser for her to go after the mortgage is paid off so she does not have to worry about interest payments and such things when she comes back. She also told me that some shuyookh say that it is permissible to own a house under interest because it is the law of the land to pay interest and there is nothing that we can do about that. So the question is, if she goes for hajj while she has to still pay interest, is it possible for her to do hajj?

    Secondly, would this interest issue void her hajj if she came back and continued to pay interest?

    Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat

    بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

    Thank you for contacting us for your query.

    May Almighty Allah accept the good intentions for Hajj and make it a reality for all who intend to proceed to fulfill this obligation.

    You have raised three matters in your question:

    1. The ruling regarding proceeding for Hajj while having an interest based impermissible loan.
    2. The validity of having an interest based loan in western non muslim majority countries.
    3. The validity of Hajj, while making interest based payments, upon one’s return from Hajj.

    Please note the answers below:

    Hajj While Having an Interest Based Loan

    Hajj is only obligatory upon those who are free from debt. However if one wishes to proceed while still being in a state of debt, it is permissible. If the dept is interest based, such as in the case of your respected mother, it would be wise to first pay off the debt and then proceed for Hajj.

    “As a right of Allah, it is obligatory on the people to perform Hajj of the House – on everyone who has the ability to manage (his) way to it“. (Holy Quran 3:97)

    Imam Hasan Shurunbulali in Nur Al Idah and Imam Fakhruddin Al Razi in Al Tafseer Al Kabeer have listed ‘paying all outstanding debts‘ as one of the conditions for Hajj to become fardh (mandatory). (See Nur Al Idah and Al Tafseer Al Kabeer)

    Interest Based Loans / Mortgages in Non Muslim Majority Countries

    The statement that “it is the law of the land to pay interest” is inaccurate. According to my knowledge there is no such law in Canada(and other countries) compelling citizens to purchase homes through interest based loans. In fact, there are various halal alternatives such as Islamic financing and living in rent etc. Please refer to my answer in response to a similar question by clicking here.

    Paying Interest / Usury After Returning From Hajj

    From amongst the objectives of Hajj is to renew one’s commitment to adhere to all Quranic injunctions and abandon all wrong.

    Imam Abu Bakr Jaabir Al Jazaairi writes “From the wisdom of Hajj and Umrah, is to purify oneself from the effects of sin, so that one becomes worthy of the honour of Almighty Allah, particularly in the abode hereafter” (Minhaj Al Muslim).

    Therefore, deliberately engaging in sin after one’s Hajj would not be appropriate. Despite this, it should be noted that the obligation of Hajj will be fulfilled, even though one may commit sin after one’s return from Hajj.

    And Allah Knows Best.