Q. My dad is getting old. He wants to go for Hajj. I was told that I cannot pay for his Hajj because he owes money for the car, sister’s wedding, etc.

A. A person owing money needs to pay his debt prior to going for Hajj. (However, if he is traveling for work or traveling out of necessity and it so happens that your father is near the Kaa’ba, i.e in Jeddah or its vicinity, then it would be an entirely different matter.) Attempting Hajj while in debt would not be in your best interest.

On the day of Judgement, we would be asked as to why we had not paid our debt. We would not be questioned as to why we did we not go for Hajj while lacking the funds to do so.

On the other hand, if you paid for your father’s ticket, and sent him off, Allah would reward you, but you would have greater reward if you helped pay his debt.

Allah certainly knows best.