I long for Hajj (major pilgrimage) and ask Allaah The Almighty to grant me the opportunity to perform it. I have never done it before and cannot afford it now, due to some debts. Once they are settled, I will be able to do Hajj, Allaah willing. Am I allowed to reject an offer from a relative to pay my expenses of a Hajj journey, because she always reminds people of her favors? Thank you and may Allaah reward you.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Him, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

A Muslim who cannot perform Hajj with his own money is not required to accept an offer of an all-expenses-paid trip to that end. Scholars mention that one is not considered to be able to afford a Hajj if he does so by accepting donations, even if the giver is one of his relatives, such as his father or the like, owing to the fact he would be forever in that individual’s debt.

Therefore, the questioner is not required to take the money of his relative to perform Hajj, particularly if she is in the habit of reminding people of her favor. That is because accepting the gift of such a person entails great harm to the recipient. Furthermore, Allaah The Almighty does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.

Allaah Knows best.