I'm 25 years old now. I have been working in a reputed company in Qatar for 2 years. Should I marry or do Hajj first? I have enough money either to marry or do Hajj. But my job is not stable. What should I do?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

We congratulate you for your adherence to your religion and we appreciate your eagerness to know your duties and ask about religious matters. As for your question, we think that you should marry immediately if you fear committing sins in case you delay marriage, and if you have the necessities for marriage even if you have to delay performing Hajj for two years. It is unlawful for you in such circumstances to delay marriage. As the Prophet said: “Whoever amongst you have the ability to marry, he should marry.”

On the other hand, if you can control your sexual desires and you have the necessary means for Hajj, then you should perform the mandatory act of Hajj and do not procrastinate. In fact, Hajj is an immediate obligation while marriage becomes obligatory only if the person fears to commit what is forbidden. The obligatory act is given priority over the supererogatory acts. The majority of scholars are of the view that Hajj becomes obligatory as soon as the person possesses the necessary means to perform it.

The evidence for this is the Hadeeth reported by Ahmad, Abu Daawood and Ibn Maajah that the Prophet said: “Whoever intends to perform Hajj should hasten. Indeed the riding animal (means of transport) might get lost, the person might get sick, and (some unexpected) needs might (befall) him.” This rule is not affected by the stability of the job or its instability.

Allah knows best.