Table Of Contents
The Ruling on Donated Hajj Expenses in Islam
There is no reason why a well-wisher should not donate Hajj expenses to someone, and it is not a condition of obligatory or optional Hajj being valid that it should be paid for with the pilgrim’s own money.
Greater Reward When Hajj Is Sponsored by Relatives
If this donation is given to a relative, then the reward is greater, and he will have a reward like that of Hajj, in sha Allah. What your father is going to do, paying the expenses for Hajj for you and your wife, is something that is to be appreciated, and he is included in the words of the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
{Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety)} [Al-Ma’idah 5:2]
Obligatory Hajj vs. Optional Hajj When Funded by Another
There is no difference between the two ways mentioned in the question. If you have not done Hajj before then this Hajj will be the obligatory one, and it will not be optional just because your father donated the expenses.
In the answer to question no. 36990, we have quoted a fatwa from the scholars of the Standing Committee concerning this. Please refer to it.
The Importance of the Donor Having Performed Hajj First
Your father who is going to donate this money should have performed Hajj already, because the command is addressed to him too.
It is not right to delay Hajj then appoint someone else to do Hajj, rather he should hasten to do Hajj himself, then if he has any extra money he may help you to do Hajj.
In the answer to question no. 36637 we have quoted a fatwa from the scholars of the Standing Committee concerning this. Please refer to it.
Zakah and Other People's Money for Hajj: Permissible?
One indication that it is permissible to do Hajj with money other than one’s own is the fact that it is permissible to give Zakah to a poor person so that he can do Hajj. This is included in the verse in which Allah says, listing those who are entitled to Zakah, (interpretation of the meaning): {and for Allah’s Cause} [At-Tawbah 9:60] That includes both Jihad and Hajj. This has already been explained in the answer to question no. 40023.
For further insights, explore these answers: (290646, 223524, 36841, 83191)
And Allah knows best.
