The Third Topic: Prioritizing Marriage over Hajj.

The Shaykh : The Third Topic: If a person has money and no debt, but he has set it aside for marriage, and he says, “If I perform Hajj, the money will be reduced and I will need people to help complete the mahr (bridal gift), but if I do not perform Hajj, I will have the full mahr,” should he prioritize marriage or Hajj? We say that this requires a detailed explanation: If a person fears fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) for himself due to delaying marriage, and he has a strong desire, then he should not perform Hajj, but rather spend the money on marriage. This is because a person in need of marriage is like a person in need of food and drink; in fact, he may be more tempted by leaving off marriage than by not eating and drinking. So the matter involves a detailed distinction: if a person fears fitnah for himself and has a strong desire, he should prioritize marriage over Hajj. If the situation is the opposite, he should prioritize Hajj over marriage. If someone asks, “I am a student of knowledge and I need books. Should I buy the books I need with the money I have, or should I perform Hajj?” The answer is: buy the books you need, because your need for books is like your need for food and drink that is desirable but not essential. If you are in need of books that are indispensable to you, then Hajj is not obligatory for you until you secure these books. This is undoubtedly a blessing from Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and a mercy to His servants. If a person says, “I have a debt, and the creditors have allowed me to perform Hajj. Should I perform Hajj?” We say: No. Because even if they allow you, will they drop any part of the debt? No, they will not. The discussion is about the burden on the conscience. Yes, if they say, “Perform Hajj, and we will drop from your debt an amount equal to what you spend on Hajj,” then in that case, does Hajj harm him or not? Hajj does not harm him. That means they are telling him, “Go perform Hajj, and if you spend a thousand, we will drop a thousand from your debt, as if you had paid it to us.” In that case, we say Hajj does not harm him, so let him perform Hajj. However, if performing Hajj and spending money on it makes it difficult to repay the debt, then we say: Do not perform Hajj, because the matter in this regard is broad.