QUESTION:
A woman has the means to go for Umrah but her Mahram is in debt. Would it be permissible for him to accompany her due to his circumstances, or should he settle his debt instead?
ANSWER:
His priority should be to pay the debt. It is recorded in the Hadith Sharif that a Mujahid that sacrifices his life while fighting in the path of Allah, will attain Jannah except if he leaves behind a debt, hence one should settle his outstanding debts as soon as possible. However, if he arranges with the creditors to settle the debt on terms and thereafter undertakes a journey for Umrah, then it will be acceptable. In conclusion, you should encourage him to settle the debt instead of encouraging the Umrah trip, but if he arranges with the creditors to settle the debt in instalments, then it will be acceptable for him to join you.
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ جَحْشٍ: أَنَّ رَجُلًا جَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ: مَا لِي إِنْ قُتِلْتُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: الْجَنَّةُ، فَلَمَّا وَلَّى، قَالَ: إِلَّا الدَّيْنَ، سَارَّنِي بِهِ جِبْرِيلُ آنِفًا. (شرح الطحاوي الارناووط ص585 ج2)
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَامَ فَخَطَبَ النَّاسَ، فَذَكَرَ (2) أَنَّ الْإِيمَانَ بِاللهِ وَالْجِهَادَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ الْأَعْمَالِ عِنْدَ اللهِ، فَقَامَ رَجُلٌ، فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، إِنْ قُتِلْتُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ، وَأَنَا صَابِرٌ مُحْتَسِبٌ، مُقْبِلٌ غَيْرُ مُدْبِرٍ، يُكَفِّرُ اللهُ عَنِّي خَطَايَايَ؟ قَالَ: ” نَعَمْ، فَكَيْفَ قُلْتَ؟ ” قَالَ: إِنْ قُتِلْتُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ، وَأَنَا صَابِرٌ مُحْتَسِبٌ، مُقْبِلٌ غَيْرُ مُدْبِرٍ، يُكَفِّرُ اللهُ عَنِّي خَطَايَايَ؟ قَالَ: ” نَعَمْ، كَيْفَ قُلْتَ؟ ” قَالَ: إِنْ قُتِلْتُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ، وَأَنَا صَابِرٌ مُحْتَسِبٌ، مُقْبِلٌ غَيْرَ مُدْبِرٍ، يُكَفِّرُ اللهُ عَنِّي خَطَايَايَ؟ قَالَ: ” نَعَمْ، إِلَّا الدَّيْنَ، فَإِنَّ جِبْرِيلَ سَارَّنِي بِذَلِكَ ” (مسند احمد ص106 ج14)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 04 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1445 / 20 September 2023
