Is Hajj Permissible and Accepted for Someone Who Has a Mortgage?
Question
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
If someone has a mortgage for his or her house, are they still allowed to perform Hajj? Is their Hajj accepted?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
This question requires distinguishing between the obligation of Hajj, the condition of financial ability (istita‘ah), and the validity of Hajj once it is performed, while also addressing the reality that many Muslims today carry long-term financial obligations such as mortgages.
1. The Shar‘i Context
Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime upon those who are able.
Allah says:
“And Hajj to the House is a duty owed to Allah upon people who are able to find a way to it.”
Surat Al ‘Imran 3:97
Ability (istita‘ah) includes:
- Physical ability
- Financial ability
- Safety of travel
- Leaving dependents adequately provided for
Debt is therefore relevant to whether Hajj is obligatory, not to whether it is valid.
2. The Effect of a Mortgage on the Obligation of Hajj
A mortgage is a form of ongoing debt. The scholars clarified that outstanding debts take priority over voluntary acts, and even over Hajj if repayment would be jeopardized.
If a person:
- Has a mortgage with scheduled payments
- Is meeting those payments comfortably
- Has surplus funds after expenses and debt obligations
- Will not default or cause harm by going to Hajj
then they are considered financially able, and Hajj may even become obligatory if all other conditions are met.
However, if:
- Performing Hajj would cause missed payments
- Increase financial hardship
- Endanger the home or the rights of creditors
then Hajj is not obligatory at that time, and delaying it is permitted.
3. Is the Hajj Valid if Performed Despite a Mortgage
Yes. The Hajj is valid and accepted, if Allah wills.
Having a mortgage does not invalidate Hajj, nor does it nullify the act of worship.
The ruling on obligation and the ruling on validity are separate. A person may perform Hajj while still having debts, and the Hajj itself remains sound.
The Prophet said:
“Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit obscenity or transgression returns as on the day his mother gave birth to him.”
Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
This promise of acceptance is not conditioned on being debt-free.
4. Priority of Rights
While Hajj may be valid, Islam emphasizes fulfilling the rights of others.
The Prophet said:
“The soul of the believer is held back by his debt until it is repaid.”
Reported in the Sunnah collections
This means that a person should not neglect debts or violate agreements for the sake of Hajj. But it does not mean that Hajj performed with debt is invalid.
5. Relevant Usul Principles
القدرة شرط في التكليف
Ability is a condition for legal obligation.
If full ability is absent due to debt pressure, Hajj is deferred, not canceled.
Final Ruling
Having a mortgage does not prevent a person from performing Hajj, nor does it invalidate their Hajj.
Hajj is obligatory only if the person can afford it without harming their ability to meet mortgage payments or other essential obligations.
If someone performs Hajj while having a mortgage and without violating debt obligations, their Hajj is valid and accepted, by the permission of Allah.
If performing Hajj would cause financial harm or default, then Hajj is not obligatory at that time and may be delayed without sin.
And Allah knows best.