[This question was originally answered in Shaykh Abu Eesa Niamatullah’s video for FaithIQ. You can watch the full video here]
It’s a thought in the minds of many Muslims holding themselves back from performing Hajj or ‘Umrah:
“I have loans to pay off. How can I go on Hajj right now?”
A question like this must first be put into perspective.
The background
In the not-so-distant past, Hajj was an arduous journey.
When you hear people describe it as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience,” that is not an exaggeration… it was exactly that!
It could involve weeks or even months of dangerous travel, often with the real risk that the pilgrim might never return home.
In those circumstances, a person with a loan or unpaid debt could not simply leave home without any notice to their debt collector, and if they were to do so intentionally would be even worse.
But that was then, what about now?
In short, the answer is yes, it is permissible, so long as you have considered these two factors:
- Can I afford it in the first place?
If this debt is something overwhelming and dominating your finances to the point that Hajj would place you in a vulnerable position, then that pilgrimage is not yet an obligation.
2. Do I have my debt under control?
If you have an agreed plan to pay back your debt in instalments or at a later date, and are able to recover and continue paying off that debt when you return, then this should not be a barrier for you to perform your obligatory Hajj.
Your Hajj may even bring increased barakah to your wealth, as the Prophet ﷺ said:
تَابِعُوا بَيْنَ الْحَجِّ وَالْعُمْرَةِ فَإِنَّهُمَا يَنْفِيَانِ الْفَقْرَ وَالذُّنُوبَ كَمَا يَنْفِي الْكِيرُ خَبَثَ الْحَدِيدِ وَالذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَلَيْسَ لِلْحَجَّةِ الْمَبْرُورَةِ ثَوَابٌ إِلَّا الْجَنَّةُ
“Perform the Hajj and ‘Umrah pilgrimages, one after another, for they both erase poverty and sins just as the furnace removes impurity from iron, gold, and silver. There is no reward for an accepted Hajj but Paradise.”
[Sunan at-Tirmidhi]
If your debt is owed to an individual, then it is wise to still make them aware of your intention to perform Hajj before leaving, as this is good adab or etiquette.
It should be noted that one should avoid interest-bearing loans and mortgages, however even in such circumstances, these debts do not legally prevent you from making the Hajj.
And Allah knows best.
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