The question of giving parents money to perform Hajj is a common one for dutiful children who wish to honor their parents by bearing the costs of the pilgrimage. This often leads to further inquiries about the financial state of the parents themselves, particularly if their personal savings are mixed with bank interest (Riba).
Islamic scholars and economists provide encouragement for this act of kindness while emphasizing the strict necessity of purifying one’s wealth.
Sponsoring the Parents
It is fully permissible for a child to pay for the Hajj expenses of their parents. This act is considered a form of Birr (righteousness/kindness) to parents and is highly rewarded by Allah. This ruling applies even if the parents possess enough money to pay for themselves. A child’s gift does not invalidate the obligation; rather, it facilitates it with grace.
Purifying Wealth from Interest
If the father’s bank account generates interest (often mislabeled as “profit” in conventional banking), this wealth is considered impure in Islam. Interest must be given away to charity to purify the remaining wealth. This should be done “the sooner, the better,” regardless of whether one is going for Hajj or not.
This interest cannot be used for personal benefit or Hajj expenses. It must be distributed to Muslim charities or the poor without the intention of receiving a reward for charity (since the money was not yours to begin with).
