The Ruling on Hajj Before Marriage

Question: I have heard from some people that Hajj before marriage is not a valid obligatory performance, and that it is necessary to perform the obligatory Hajj after marriage. Is this correct?

Answer: This statement is not correct. Hajj is permissible before marriage and after marriage. If a person has reached puberty, his Hajj is valid and fulfills the obligatory requirement for him. However, if he performs Hajj before reaching puberty, it is a voluntary act. Puberty is attained through three things: completing fifteen years of age, the growth of coarse hair around the private parts, and the emission of semen due to desire, whether at night or during the day, whether in sleep or while awake. If a person sees something or thinks about something and emits semen, he has thereby reached puberty through the emission of semen due to thought, touching, or a wet dream. Along with completing fifteen years of age and the growth of coarse hair around the private parts, these three things bring about puberty for both men and women. For women, a fourth thing is added, which is menstruation. If she menstruates, she becomes an adult. If she performs Hajj after that, or after any one of these conditions, in the manner prescribed by the Shari'ah, her Hajj is valid and fulfills the obligatory requirement for her, even if she has not married.