To perform the Haj or get married?

Sometimes a Muslim will face the dilemma of getting married or performing the Haj when they are finally able to afford doing so.

When the amount of money saved is enough to perform the Haj, which is the fifth pillar of Islam, but also have the desire to enter into a marriage, considering both are important acts of worship, one can face a terrible dillema over it.

It is certainly not easy to save that much money especially when one has to control their desire in spending money for a long period of time to save it all up.

So how would a person with enough financial means for Haj expenses but also wants to get married decide? Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia Board of Directors and Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri explained that Haj and marriage are among the things that are part of Islam.

However, he said Haj is an obligation for all able-bodied Muslims.

Meanwhile, for marriage, rules are divided into five categories which are harus (permissible), wajib (obligatory), sunat (encouraged), makruh (discouraged) and haram (prohibited), depending on the individual.

"If they are able to restrain themselves and is not in a hurry to get married, then they should perform Haj first," he said as quoted in Maktabah Albakri.

It is as mentioned by Allah SWT, as translated by Sahih International: And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage (Haj) to the House (Kaabah) – for whoever is able to find a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds (Surah Ali Imran, verse 97).

Based on the Quran verse, he explained Haj and Umrah are only obligatory for those who are able and capable.

"According to al-Fiqh al-Manhaji, a person who is considered capable when he has enough money to perform Haj and Umrah. The expense includes round trip fares, passport and money to pay for the Haj and Umrah guides as required by the government.

"They should still have enough money after paying all their debt and excluding the money left for family members during their absence," he said.

However the former Federal Territory Mufti said if they are worried about being unable to control themselves from committing immoral acts then they should prioritise marriage to avoid greater sin.

Simply put, everything is up to each individual. Think carefully before making a decision. Hopefully the decision made will be good for themselves and the religion.