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:

Dear Sheikh Buhran

I have few questions related Haj and Umra as follows and I hope you may try to answer them. 2nd Question The sacrifice was not carried out at time Haj for minors While performing Haj my daughter (those were 7 and 8 years old  at that time) carried out all the rituals but we have not done the sacrifice of goat or sheep as we were informed it was not necessary now we came to know it is important for to complete Haj, now many 10 year are passed. What you suggest to do to complete their Haj.

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Answer:

Sacrifice for hajj of minors

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 2 Surah Baqarah Verse 196:

196 And complete the Hajj or `Umra in the service of Allah. But if ye are prevented (from completing it) send an offering for sacrifice such as ye may find and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. And if any of you is ill or has an ailment in his scalp (necessitating shaving) (he should) in compensation either fast, or feed the poor, or offer sacrifice; and when ye are in peaceful conditions (again) if anyone wishes to continue the Umra on to the Hajj he must make an offering such as he can afford, (and if he cannot afford or did not offer the sacrifice) he should fast three days during the Hajj and seven days on his return making ten days in all. This is for those whose household is not in (the precincts of) the Sacred Mosque. And fear Allah and know that Allah is strict in punishment.

Your Question: ….What you suggest to do to complete their Haj.

We assume here that the type of Hajj which you (and your children) performed was either ‘tamatto’ or ‘qiraan’ (where offering the sacrifice is an obligatory rite of Hajj)….and not the ‘ifraad’ (where sacrifice is not necessary for Hajj).

The majority of the scholars are of the opinion that if one did not or could not offer the sacrifice of Hajj for any reason, they are to atone for it by fasting 10 days as expiation.

Respected brother, it would be best if you could ask your two girls to observe fast for 10 days as atonement for the sacrifice which was not made when they performed their Hajj ten years ago. It is expected that Allah Subhanah will accept their atonement and will not reduce theirs and your rewards in the least, Insha Allah.

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