Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

If some one get a chance to perform Haj Pilgrimage free of cost whilst he/she is financially fit to perfomr on own cost, will it be considered as fullfillment of "Farlh" (compulsary act), or should he/she be done on own cost to complete the act. Your immediate answer would be highly appreciated.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Do hajj free of cost

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imran verses 96-97:

Undoubtedly the first House of Worship ever to be built for mankind is the one which is at Makkah. It was blessed, and made the center of guidance for all the peoples. In it are clear Signs; there is a spot where Ibraheem used to worship; and it is the Santuary, and whoever enters it becomes safe and secure. Allah has, therefore, a right on the people that the one, who can afford to reach the House, should perform Hajj there. And the one who disobeys (this commandment should know that) Allah is Self-Sufficient, and does not stand in need of anyone!

Allah Subhanah has made the pilgrimage of Hajj obligatory and duty unto their Lord Creator on every sane, adult believer who has the financial and physical means to reach the Sacred House at least once in their lifetime. This pilgrimage of the Hajj is so sanctified that it is listed by the Messenger of Allah (saws) as one of the five pillars upon which the deen of Islam is built!

If one has been presented with the opportunity to perform the ‘Hajj’ pilgrimage free of cost for any reason whatsoever, indeed that would suffice to fulfill their obligatory duty of Hajj unto their Lord.

But if one is financially able to afford the Hajj journey and stay, and one spends from one’s lawful earnings to fulfill this their obligatory duty of Hajj unto their Lord….they will earn the reward for not only performing the Hajj, but also for spending of their wealth in the Cause of Allah Subhanah.

Regardless of whether one performs the Hajj on someone else’s expense, or one spends of one’s own lawful wealth….as long as one fears Allah and fulfills all the obligatory rites of the Hajj pilgrimage, they would have deemed to fulfill their obligatory duty of Hajj unto their Lord.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan