When Hajj becomes obligatory upon a blind person

21/10/2012| IslamWeb

Question

Is Hajj obligatory upon a blind person who can afford its expenses? Is he considered able to perform Hajj?

Fatwa

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.

If a blind person is physically able to perform Hajj, has enough money to cover its expenses and can afford hiring someone to lead him during the trip and the rituals, then he is obliged to perform Hajj by himself. Being so, such a person is not entitled to delegate someone to perform Hajj on his behalf. An-Nawawi said regarding this case, "Our fellow Shaafi‘i scholars stated that, 'If a blind person has provisions, a mount, a guide to direct him during the journey and he can remain stable on his mount without hardship, then he has to perform Hajj. The same also applies to one without hands or legs. They are not permitted to hire someone to perform Hajj on their behalf being as such". [End of quote]

Al-Qaadhi Ibn Al-‘Arabi said, "The obligation of Hajj is not waived for a blind person because he can make it to the Sacred House if carried (on any animal), so he is considered able to perform Hajj, just like the obligation of the Friday prayer is not waived for such a person when there is someone to lead him to the prayer." [End of quote]

There is also no doubt that the means of transportation now are much more convenient than in the past.

Allah Knows best.