Going for Hajj while under loans : payment of educational loans before Hajj ?

Fatawa Question

As-Salaamu 'Alaykum I have a question that might be common from Muslims in the West. I entered this deen laden with education loans. The principal is around $ 45K. I do not work, as I am at home tending my three children, one of whom is disabled. My husband pays the monthly amount due as best as he can. At this rate, it will be decades before the loan is paid, with all its Riba. I've seen other Muslims in similar situations-with mortgage loans, for example-who still make the Hajj using the reasoning that as long as their payment is made while they are gone, that this is acceptable. I was under the impression that all debts need to be cleared before one can make Hajj, that one goes with no strings attached and all affairs settled. How does one still go to Hajj laden with debt...can ""labbayk Allah"" be truly said then, when there are still outstanding claims on the person ? Are there a seperate set of rulings for Muslims in the West ? I'd appreciate any guidance you can give on the issue. If you know of any books that deal with this very issue, I'd appreciate your recommendation as well. JazaakAllahu Khairan

Fatwa

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Publication Date

2007-01-02

Main Subjects

Economics & Business Administration
Islamic Studies

Data Type

Fatawa

Language

English

Record ID

BIM-785767

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