How is zakah given to one who is unable to perform Hajj, when Hajj is not obligatory upon him?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Regarding the pilgrim, we said that if the one who wants to perform Hajj is poor, Hajj is not obligatory upon him. And if it is not obligatory, how do we give him from the zakah? The zakah is for the pilgrim, and he is not in need, because the obligation is not established, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not make it obligatory. So how do we give him for something that is not obligatory?
The Shaykh : This is the second opinion, but they say that the general wording placing Hajj in the path of Allah falls under this category.
The questioner : Now, my view.
The Shaykh : But even if we accept the general wording, we also say that voluntary acts make no difference.
The questioner : Yes,[Al-Baqarah 2:195-196], what is the indication from this context?
The Shaykh : That it was mentioned after the mention of spending, so completing the Hajj is like spending in the path of Allah.
The Shaykh : This is the second opinion, but they say that the general wording placing Hajj in the path of Allah falls under this category.
The questioner : Now, my view.
The Shaykh : But even if we accept the general wording, we also say that voluntary acts make no difference.
The questioner : Yes,
(195) And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good. (196) And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs 'umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty.
اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَThe Shaykh : That it was mentioned after the mention of spending, so completing the Hajj is like spending in the path of Allah.
Source
قناة «فضيلة الشيخ محمد بن صالح العثيمين»، 138- كيف يُعطى العاجز عن الحج من الزكاة مع أنّ الحج غير واجبٍ عليه؟ - ابن عثيمين — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.