Is it permissible for a person who is given money to perform Hajj with to do so, and what is the ruling on this money?
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The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : A man was offered a sum of money to perform Hajj on behalf of another person. Is it permissible for him to accept the money, given that without this money he would not intend to perform Hajj due to circumstances that prevent him?
The Shaykh : If a person is given money to perform Hajj with, there is no harm in it, especially if the person intends good by it. How does one intend good? First, he intends to fulfill an obligation of his brother, because many people wish with all their hearts to find someone to perform Hajj on their behalf, or on behalf of a deceased person, for example.
Second, he intends to use this money to strengthen his taqwa (mindfulness of Allah) in reaching the sacred sites, so that perhaps he may be touched by the mercy of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in that place.
Third, if he is a student of knowledge, he intends to go to those sites so that Allah may guide through his hands whomever He wills of His servants.
All of these three intentions are good intentions that do no harm. As for the one who performs Hajj for the sake of the money, he is the loser. For this reason, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Whoever takes money to perform Hajj with has done nothing wrong, but whoever performs Hajj to take money has no share in the Hereafter."
That is, he has no share in the Hereafter. Do you understand now?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : What is recommended for one who performs Hajj on behalf of another is to intend what I have mentioned to you.
The questioner : If, for example, his intention is merely to seek the money... does he have circumstances that prevent him from doing so?
The Shaykh : No, he should not go. If he wants nothing but the money, he should not go; he is the loser.
The questioner : What about a car owner whose custom is to take passengers and perform Hajj?
The Shaykh : There is nothing wrong with it.
The questioner : And he was offered a Hajj (on behalf of someone). Should he accept this Hajj?
The Shaykh : There is no harm, because this man is a pilgrim in any case.
The questioner : He says, "I intend to use it to settle my debts."
The Shaykh : The important thing is that as long as this man is a pilgrim in any case...
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : There is nothing wrong with it.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : If a person is given money to perform Hajj with, there is no harm in it, especially if the person intends good by it. How does one intend good? First, he intends to fulfill an obligation of his brother, because many people wish with all their hearts to find someone to perform Hajj on their behalf, or on behalf of a deceased person, for example.
Second, he intends to use this money to strengthen his taqwa (mindfulness of Allah) in reaching the sacred sites, so that perhaps he may be touched by the mercy of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in that place.
Third, if he is a student of knowledge, he intends to go to those sites so that Allah may guide through his hands whomever He wills of His servants.
All of these three intentions are good intentions that do no harm. As for the one who performs Hajj for the sake of the money, he is the loser. For this reason, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Whoever takes money to perform Hajj with has done nothing wrong, but whoever performs Hajj to take money has no share in the Hereafter."
That is, he has no share in the Hereafter. Do you understand now?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : What is recommended for one who performs Hajj on behalf of another is to intend what I have mentioned to you.
The questioner : If, for example, his intention is merely to seek the money... does he have circumstances that prevent him from doing so?
The Shaykh : No, he should not go. If he wants nothing but the money, he should not go; he is the loser.
The questioner : What about a car owner whose custom is to take passengers and perform Hajj?
The Shaykh : There is nothing wrong with it.
The questioner : And he was offered a Hajj (on behalf of someone). Should he accept this Hajj?
The Shaykh : There is no harm, because this man is a pilgrim in any case.
The questioner : He says, "I intend to use it to settle my debts."
The Shaykh : The important thing is that as long as this man is a pilgrim in any case...
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : There is nothing wrong with it.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.