Hajj or charity with Hajj money?

Among the five pillars of Islam, Hajj is a necessary obligation for all the able Muslims. Every year, millions of Muslim pilgrims travel from across the globe through their Hajj Packages UK for holy rituals. The rituals of Hajj are commenced in the last month of an Islamic lunar year i.e., Dhul-Hijjah. To be exact, the hajj rituals are observed from the 8th to the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah.
Hajj becomes obligatory on an adult Muslim if and only when he/she can easily afford for it by all means and that includes;
1.Possessing good Physical health to perform hajj rituals without any difficulty.
2.Mental Sanity.
3.Having the financial means to reach the sacred House of Allah and return home.
4.Being free to travel and independent.

Hajj or Charity?

1.Obligatory hajj.
If a person can easily travel for hajj i.e., possesses all the financial and physical means for it, then hajj is obligatory for such a person. Otherwise, if one does not opt for it then it’s a sinful act. Therefore, if a person can travel for hajj, it is advised for him/her to not delay its performance.
So, from the sunnah and Quran, it is not permissible for a person to not go for obligatory pilgrimage and rather donate its money for charity.

2.Voluntary Hajj.
If a person has already performed his/her Hajj-al-Islam i.e., the obligatory hajj, and still has the means to afford another hajj travel trip, there are different opinions for its performance. Nonetheless, the second Hajj of a Muslim would always be considered a voluntary one.
•Some scholars are of the opinion that a voluntary Hajj is always better than doing voluntary charity. However, if such a person has poor relatives or giving the amount as charity would solve someone’s genuine problems, then giving charity is advised. However, if both the acts are voluntary, then performing voluntary Hajj is better.
•Scholars also have a view that it is better for a person to give the money of its voluntary hajj, for such a person who cannot afford hajj by itself, to fulfill his/her religious obligation of Hajj. In this way, financing the hajj trip for a person who cannot afford Hajj travel would earn both the persons (the one financing hajj travel and the one going for the obligatory pilgrimage’s rituals) equal rewards from Allah Almighty.

For detailed guidance on this issue, it’s always advised to consult the opinion of religious scholars for a better, logical, and comprehensive view of the situation. Thus, taking the decision of Hajj or charity with Hajj money, accordingly.