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I am the head of a household, with a wife and two children. My salary barely covers the necessities of life, and I do not have any other income. I worked in one of the Gulf countries for 4 years, and I saved an amount of money which I deposited in one of the Islamic banks to provide me with an income to help me deal with different burdens of life. My salary and this income from this investment are just sufficient for me and my family. Am I obliged to spend some of this deposited money on Hajj expenses, and am I obliged to go for Hajj in the light of these circumstances?
Please note that if I spend this amount from my bank account on Hajj expenses, this will affect my monthly income and will make things very difficult for me financially. What do you advise me to do?.
Praise be to Allah.
If your situation is as you describe, then you are not obliged to go for Hajj, because you are not able to do it as defined in sharee’ah. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence)” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:97]
“So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can” [al-Taghaabun 64:16]
“and [Allah] has not laid upon you in religion any hardship” [al-Hajj 22:78]
And Allah is the Source of strength.