Is It Permissible to Perform Hajj and Umrah on Installments?

The Ruling on Performing Hajj and Umrah Through Installment Plans

Performing Hajj and Umrah on Installments through Travel Agencies

These days, efforts are being made in all kinds of businesses to provide the easiest possible ways for everyone to benefit from trade and purchases, regardless of whether the person is wealthy or poor. To facilitate this, installment sales have been introduced in commerce, allowing people, even those with limited resources, to buy what they want, engage in the trade they desire, and achieve even the most expensive goals by paying a little at a time. Similarly, in the case of Hajj and Umrah, travel agencies are offering installment schemes so that people with low income or limited funds, or those who could never afford to go for Hajj or Umrah, can also perform these sacred duties.

In this case, travel agencies set up schemes where Hajj and Umrah can be paid for in installments. People make partial payments over time, and once the full amount is paid, they are taken for Hajj or Umrah. From a religious perspective, the question arises: is it permissible to perform Hajj and Umrah through such installment-based payments? Would performing Hajj or Umrah in this way be considered valid?

Before addressing the religious validity of this method, it is appropriate to first clarify the nature of these schemes. In every major city, there are hundreds of travel agencies, and due to the nature of commerce, these agencies often aim to profit. Many of these agencies deceive the public by offering cheap services and unlawfully taking people’s money. Behind these installment schemes for Hajj and Umrah, there is often less concern for the welfare of people and more intention to exploit them. Frequently, such schemes end up scamming people, though there are some agencies that genuinely arrange Hajj and Umrah under such schemes. However, most of these schemes suffer from corruption. If you check news articles about Hajj and Umrah packages on installments published on the internet and in newspapers, you will find multiple reports of such frauds.

Another issue is that not every travel agency is authorized to arrange Hajj and Umrah trips. Their primary role is to handle air tickets, yet many agencies take people for Hajj and Umrah illegally without proper licenses.

Hajj and Umrah are obligatory for those whom Allah has granted the means to travel to the House of Allah. The people offering easy installment plans for Hajj and Umrah have enticed everyone with promises of fulfilling this sacred duty, leaving agents in every city to encourage people to perform Hajj and Umrah, regardless of their financial situation. Performing Hajj and Umrah is a deep desire for every Muslim, but it is not obligatory for everyone, nor can everyone fulfill this desire. It depends on Allah’s will and mercy. Many people with the means to perform Hajj are still deprived of the opportunity to do so. Nevertheless, many poor and working-class individuals, lured by easy installment options and sweet-talking agents, start collecting money for Hajj and Umrah.

There are several flaws in such schemes, and I will briefly outline some of them here:

1. Uncertainty in Life:
   Life is unpredictable, and no one knows when death will come. Therefore, it does not seem wise to enter into such an arrangement, where the outcome is uncertain. Some may argue that government-organized Hajj also involves uncertainty, as there is no guarantee that a person will survive until the time of Hajj. However, there is a clear difference. The government-organized Hajj is a well-defined process, and the person has already made the intention for Hajj with all matters clearly outlined and near completion. In contrast, the installment scheme is uncertain and long-term. There is no certainty whether the person will be able to complete the installments. People who are part of such schemes are often from low-income backgrounds, and there is a real risk that they may not be able to complete their payments. Even though participants may feel confident that they are eligible for the scheme, circumstances are often unpredictable, including financial situations and even matters of life and death.
   
2. Higher Costs in Installment Plans:
   In installment schemes, the price paid might be higher than the actual price, or people may pay less initially but over a longer period. In such cases, the travel agency may invest the money in some business venture because offering tickets and services at a lower price suggests that the agency plans to earn money from this investment. This raises questions about the type of business the agency is involved in. Even if we accept that the business is legitimate under Islamic trade laws, there is the issue of profit and loss. Who will bear the loss if the agency faces financial difficulties? The agency might claim a financial loss and escape from fulfilling their obligations.
   

(3) These schemes often involve corruption, where they sometimes claim that a passport has gone missing or make other excuses to embezzle the money of people involved in the scheme, thus canceling their Hajj or Umrah plans.

(4) From a legal perspective, very few agencies have the proper license to conduct Hajj and Umrah, so becoming part of such a scheme would be cooperating in a violation of the law.

(5) I have mentioned that many of these institutions act out of greed, luring people by promising them easy installments. People with limited resources, trusting the agents, start selling their household valuables to collect the installments. Who knows what they may have to sell for this purpose, and in the end, what kind of circumstances they will face?

(6) It is commendable for a Muslim to wish for Hajj and Umrah. He should ask Allah for the ability to do so and gather wealth through legitimate means, working hard and striving to go to the House of Allah. However, it is not correct to take on risks and obligations when one does not have the means.

Ruling on Performing Hajj and Umrah through Installments:

Above, I have mentioned some potential concerns about travel agencies. Some agencies may hold licenses and successfully arrange Hajj and Umrah without corruption, which is why people have confidence in them. If we find such trustworthy agencies, should we participate in these installment-based schemes for Hajj and Umrah? If someone performs Hajj or Umrah in this way, would their worship be considered valid?

There is a strong disagreement among scholars regarding the permissibility of installment-based business transactions. Despite this, in my view, based on evidence, the argument against such practices appears stronger.

The Prophet ﷺ said:
نهى رسولُ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ عن بيعتينِ في بَيعةٍ
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi: 1231, Sunan an-Nasa’i: 4632)
Translation: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prohibited two sales in one transaction.

This hadith was declared authentic by Sheikh al-Albani.
Regarding the meaning of two sales in one transaction, scholars have differing opinions. One interpretation is that it refers to a scenario where a single item has two prices, one for cash and the other for credit (installment). A large number of scholars, including the Companion Ibn Mas’ud (RA), supported this interpretation. Sheikh al-Albani also endorsed this view. In such a sale, there is a potential for harm, as the price of the item increases with the deferred payment, involving interest (riba) based on the delay.

It is important to note that Islam does not prohibit selling goods on credit, nor does it prohibit paying for an item in installments. The issue arises when a single item is sold with two different prices — one for cash and one for credit.

Keeping this in mind, let us understand the issue. In the case of installment schemes for Hajj and Umrah, while they may seem convenient, they are not free from harm, as indicated above. The Prophet ﷺ said:
لا ضررَ ولا ضِرارَ
(Sahih Ibn Majah: 1910)
Translation: Do not harm others, and do not harm yourself.

Since a transaction involving two prices is prohibited, this practice is considered impermissible. A similar question was asked to Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen (رحمه الله) regarding some people who take loans from companies to perform Hajj, and the loan is repaid in installments from their salaries. Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen advised against such practices, stating that if the Hajj is not obligatory on someone, then they should not take a loan for it. He further said that people should benefit from Allah’s mercy and take advantage of permissible opportunities, avoiding loans with uncertain repayment, as death might come before the loan is paid off.

The issue that remains unclear is whether the money collected from someone who has not completed their installments is refunded, confiscated, or if further penalties are applied before allowing them to perform Hajj and Umrah, or if their Hajj and Umrah are canceled altogether.

Regarding the validity of Hajj and Umrah performed through such schemes, the worship itself is valid, but the method used to fulfill this sacred duty is not correct. We should strive to perform the blessed acts of worship like Hajj in the most proper and correct manner possible.