Can Zakat money be used for Umrah and Hajj?

Zakat is an obligatory provision of Islam. Those who have the financial capacity are required to pay zakat once a year. Zakat is especially given to the poor and needy. However, if necessary, Zakat can be paid to different sectors. Now the question is, Can Zakat money be used for Umrah and Hajj?

The answer to this question is subject to explanation. There are narrations in the Quran and Hadith regarding this. Also opinions from several imams here. Let’s dive into the blog to learn the details.

What does the Quran say?

Allah narreted in a verse of the Quran regarding whether Zakat money can be used for Hajj and Umrah:

وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا

And performing Hajj to this House is a duty of Allah upon mankind, for those who are able to reach it. (Sura Al-Imran: 97)

This verse explains that the Hajj and Umrah are for those who have the financial means. Not for those who cannot afford it.

In another verse, Allah narrated:

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

Zakat is only due to the poor, the needy, the collectors of Zakat, and those who need it, and it is for the freeing of slaves, for those in debt, who strive in the way of Allah, and for the traveler. This is an ordinance of Allah. Allah is Knowing and Wise. (Sura Taoba: 60)

The categories of zakat mentioned in this verse do not include Hajj and Umrah. That is to say, according to the Quran, Zakat money cannot be spent on performing Hajj and Umrah.

What is mentioned in the hadith?

Can zakat money be used for Umrah and Hajj? The narration of Hadith on this is,

عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ لاَ تَحِلُّ الصَّدَقَةُ لِغَنِىٍّ إِلاَّ لِخَمْسَةٍ لِغَازٍ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ أَوْ لِعَامِلٍ عَلَيْهَا أَوْ لِغَارِمٍ أَوْ لِرَجُلٍ اشْتَرَاهَا بِمَالِهِ أَوْ لِرَجُلٍ كَانَ لَهُ جَارٌ مِسْكِيْنٌ فَتُصُدِّقَ عَلَى الْمِسْكِيْنِ فَأَهْدَاهَا الْمِسْكِيْنُ لِلْغَنِىِّ

It was narrated from Ata ibn Yasar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: It is not permissible for a wealthy person to receive Zakat. However, it is permissible for five categories of wealthy people: (1) A person who is fighting in the way of Allah. (2) An employee who is engaged in collecting Zakat. (3) A person in debt. (4) A person who has purchased Zakat with his own wealth. (5) A poor neighbor who has given a gift of Zakat to a wealthy person. (Abu Dawood: 1635)

In another hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) narrated:

أَنَّ اللهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً فِيْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ، تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ وَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ

Allah has enjoined upon them charity (zakat) from their wealth, which is to be taken from their rich and distributed among their poor. (Bukhari: 1395)

The Hadith makes it clear to whom Zakat can be given. Here too, there is no narration of the use of zakat for Hajj and Umrah.

Opinions of Imams

According to most scholars, Zakat money cannot be used for Hajj and Umrah. However, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal and Imam Taymiyah have different opinions on this matter.

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal said that it is permissible to spend Zakat money on Hajj and Umrah. Imam Taymiyah supported this opinion.

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