Is the lesser pilgrimage obligatory for a child who is eight years old?

Question : Honorable Shaykh, a woman is calling us on the line. She says she has a child who is eight years old, and this woman wants to perform the 'Umrah. Regarding this child, is it obligatory for him to perform the 'Umrah with them, even though he is tired? She says he gets very tired.

Answer : It is not obligatory for him to perform the 'Umrah, and it is not obligatory for his family to order him to do so. Rather, it is better that he not perform the 'Umrah as long as his condition is like this. If they order him to perform the 'Umrah and he does so while it is difficult for him, they are sinful, because they have made it difficult for him in a matter that is not obligatory. If they say, for example, "We are afraid his heart will be broken if he sees us in the state of ihram and he is not," we say: Dress him in the clothes of ihram, but do not make him form the intention. He remains wearing his ihram clothes, and when they arrive at Makkah, leave him in the house with someone with him, and tell him to take off his clothes whenever he wants.