Question:
What are the conditions for the obligatoriness of hajj?
Answer:
1- Islam.
2- Maturity.
3- Sanity.
4- Freedom.
5- Capability.
It is a condition for a pilgrim to have provisions (i.e. for food and medicine) and transport expenses. It is likewise a condition that the provisions and transport expenses be in surplus of the needs of his family and dependents. A person who owns a sum which he uses for trade and from the profit of which he supports his dependents, does not meet this condition if his trade is affected by any reduction in the capital sum. Such a person is not obliged to make hajj if his profits are reduced to the extent that he is unable to meet obligatory expenses if he makes the journey from this capital sum. But if his capital is more than his obligatory expenses, then he fulfills the condition of capability and he is to take from his capital what suffices the expenses of hajj.
Marriage takes precedence over hajj for an unmarried person who possesses the financial means but needs to marry to maintain his chastity.
It is permissible for a person who possesses enough funds to cover his travel expenses and to cover the expenses of his dependents during his absence, but who does not have enough money for himself during the hajj period, to work in jobs that are associated with the rites of hajj such as driving buses to transport pilgrims from one site to another. Such a person does not meet the condition of capability and is not obliged to perform hajj. But if he does, it is permissible and he fulfills the obligation.
6- Physical tolerance to help the pilgrim endure the hardships associated with travel.
7- Take a safe route to preserve the pilgrim’s safety, honor and property.
8- Have sufficient time to reach Mecca to perform the rites at their prescribed times without undue hurry, especially standing at ‘Arafat.
And God the Almighty knows best.
[See the original post at Dar al-Iftaa al-Misriyyah]
Staff of Dar al-Iftaa al-Misriyyah
