Which is better: performing Hajj voluntarily seeking forgiveness, or performing Hajj on behalf of another for money to pay off debts? And what is your opinion on the statement of the Shaykh al-Islam?
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The questioner : The questioner : The honorable Shaykh says: I hope for advice. Hajj was offered to me this year at a negligible cost because it is very cheap. Also, Hajj on behalf of another was offered to me for a sum of money. I have already performed the obligatory Hajj years ago, and I am currently in debt. The amount I will receive for performing Hajj on behalf of another will pay off most, if not all, of my debt. What is better for me: performing Hajj voluntarily seeking forgiveness, especially since my sins are many and I am eager for Hajj, or is it better to perform Hajj on behalf of another so that I can pay off my debt? And what is your opinion on the statement of the Shaykh al-Islam: “Earning a livelihood through acts of righteousness is not the concern of the righteous”?
The Shaykh : I see that you should take the first option: perform Hajj for yourself with the small amount of money and leave the other. Whoever leaves something for Allah, Allah replaces it with something better. By leaving the agency that involves extra money, you have certainly left it for Allah. If you leave it for Allah, Allah the Exalted and Majestic will replace it with something better. I advise the brother questioner to perform Hajj for himself with the money he has and to ask Allah the Mighty and Majestic to pay off his debt. He should say: “O Allah, You are the First, so there is nothing before You, and You are the Last, so there is nothing after You, and You are the Manifest, so there is nothing above You, and You are the Hidden, so there is nothing beneath You. Pay off my debt and enrich me from poverty.”
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : I understand the first question. He booked for two thousand, and a person came and said, “Renounce this trip.” Yes, yes, that is his intention.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, because he was given money. A person gave him money to perform Hajj with, but it is a small amount. He can perform Hajj for himself with it, but it is small and does not pay off his debt.
The Shaykh : I see that you should take the first option: perform Hajj for yourself with the small amount of money and leave the other. Whoever leaves something for Allah, Allah replaces it with something better. By leaving the agency that involves extra money, you have certainly left it for Allah. If you leave it for Allah, Allah the Exalted and Majestic will replace it with something better. I advise the brother questioner to perform Hajj for himself with the money he has and to ask Allah the Mighty and Majestic to pay off his debt. He should say: “O Allah, You are the First, so there is nothing before You, and You are the Last, so there is nothing after You, and You are the Manifest, so there is nothing above You, and You are the Hidden, so there is nothing beneath You. Pay off my debt and enrich me from poverty.”
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : I understand the first question. He booked for two thousand, and a person came and said, “Renounce this trip.” Yes, yes, that is his intention.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, because he was given money. A person gave him money to perform Hajj with, but it is a small amount. He can perform Hajj for himself with it, but it is small and does not pay off his debt.