Is it better to perform Hajj first or get married?

The questioner : Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace.

The questioner : I love you for the sake of Allah, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : May Allah love you for the sake of which you loved us.

The questioner : I am a young man who intends to get married, if Allah wills.

The Shaykh : May Allah make Your command easy.

The questioner : But, I mean, I reside in the Kingdom and I wish to perform Hajj, if Allah wills, if my life is prolonged. However, my mother insists that my marriage take place before this year's Hajj. The situation, I mean, is not bad, O Shaykh. I mean, if I prioritize Hajj, I may not be able to get married. What is your opinion, O Shaykh?

The Shaykh : That is, if we assume you went to the country and got married, would you be able to return for Hajj, or is it not possible?

The questioner : No, I cannot, O Shaykh, because I have work commitments in these countries.

The Shaykh : In your country, in Saudi Arabia.

The questioner : Yes, and my mother insists that the marriage come first. So what is your opinion, O Shaykh? Do I insist to my mother that Hajj comes before the marriage?

The Shaykh : Look, may Allah bless you. I am asking you: if you went to Yemen and got married, would you be able to return for Hajj, or not?

The questioner : I cannot do so this year because I have work commitments; they cannot give me leave. I mean, going and coming back in the same period, I cannot do it because of work.

The Shaykh : And would this affect you if you went and got married and postponed Hajj to next year?

The questioner : No, it would not affect me, but I have a desire to perform this obligation because it is my first time.

The Shaykh : Okay, do you mean you do not have a need to get married soon?

The questioner : By Allah, I truly wish to complete my religion, but Hajj is also something that pains me to give up. I mean, I cannot get leave, O Shaykh, except after Ramadan. My leave is not granted to me until after Ramadan, which is close to the days of Hajj.

The Shaykh : Okay, may Allah bless you, if they give you leave after Ramadan.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Can you go and get married in Shawwal or in Dhul-Qa'dah and return?

The questioner : No, I cannot, O Shaykh. I cannot make Hajj and the marriage happen at the same time. Either I do the marriage or I do the Hajj.

The Shaykh : Okay, if you are in need of marriage, meaning you have a very strong desire, then prioritize the marriage.

The questioner : We ask Allah for well-being, O Shaykh. May Allah reward you with Paradise, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : And you as well.