Would It Be Sinful to Prioritize ‘Umra over Haj?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
My question is about Hajj and ‘umra. My husband and I are in our twenties and decided to start saving for the pilgrimage. He makes an average income, and I am a homemaker. With our current savings, Haj would not be doable and might not be for some time. And even then, going on Haj could take every penny we have saved.
I know pilgrimage is obligatory, and we’ve talked about ‘umra since it’s less expensive. I guess my question is for those of us who don’t have much savings, would it be sinful to prioritize ‘umra if it’s more affordable? Or would it be better to save for Hajj and make dua that we may be able to go later, even if it’s many years down the line? We are also trying to save for a home and future child.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
Allah Most High says, “Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people…” [Quran, 3:97]
Pilgrimage (Haj) is obligatory (fard) if you have sufficient financial means to go there and back. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]
Although Haj is not obligatory upon you, for now, it is absolutely fine to go for ‘Umra, if you have sufficient funds. And while on ‘Umra and back home, continue to pray to Allah (Most High) to increase your husband’s sustenance, facilitate ease to save, and perform the Haj in the near future, amin.
I pray this helps with your questions.
May Allah (Most high) grant your husband an abundance of sustenance and facilitate many ‘Umra and Haj with ease, amin
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied within UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan and Turkey.
He started his early education in UK. He went onto complete hifz of Qur’an in India, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in UK where he studied the secular and Alimiyyah sciences. He then travelled to Karachi, Pakistan.
He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Qur’an, Tajwid, Fiqh and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in UK and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.
He currently resides in UK with his wife. His personal interest is love of books and gardening.
