Is it obligatory for a man who is financially capable to spend on his wife to perform the obligatory Hajj, and if he does not do so, does he sin?
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The questioner : Is it obligatory for a man who is financially capable to spend on his wife to perform the obligatory Hajj? And if he does not do so, does he sin?
The Shaykh : It is not obligatory for the husband, even if he is wealthy, to provide for his wife’s Hajj expenses unless that was stipulated in the marriage contract. In that case, he must fulfill it. This is because a woman’s Hajj is not part of the general maintenance owed to her, such that we would say: just as her maintenance is obligatory, he must also provide for her Hajj. In this situation, if the wife does not have money with which she can perform Hajj, Hajj is not obligatory upon her. This is because Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said in His great Book:[Ali 'Imran 3:97] Likewise, it was reported in the authentic hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that the ability to perform Hajj is a prerequisite. So let the minds of those who do not have money with which they can perform Hajj be settled in the knowledge that Hajj is not obligatory upon them, just as zakah is not obligatory upon the poor person. It is well known that the poor person does not regret the fact that zakah is not obligatory upon him, because he knows his condition is that he is poor. Similarly, it is recommended that the one who is unable to perform Hajj should not regret it and should not be affected by it, because Hajj is not obligatory upon him at all. I have seen many people become very affected when they are unable to perform Hajj; they think that they have neglected an obligation upon them. So I say: be settled and reassured; there is no obligation upon you. You and the one who performed Hajj are equal in the sight of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), because you are excused and you have committed no sin, while he is obligated to perform Hajj and he did so. Yes, the one who performs the act of worship is better than the one who does not perform it, even if the latter is excused. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. This is a questioner from Sudan who says.
The Shaykh : It is not obligatory for the husband, even if he is wealthy, to provide for his wife’s Hajj expenses unless that was stipulated in the marriage contract. In that case, he must fulfill it. This is because a woman’s Hajj is not part of the general maintenance owed to her, such that we would say: just as her maintenance is obligatory, he must also provide for her Hajj. In this situation, if the wife does not have money with which she can perform Hajj, Hajj is not obligatory upon her. This is because Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said in His great Book:
And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way
وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًاThe questioner : May Allah reward you. This is a questioner from Sudan who says.