Performing `Umrah for one who cannot afford for Hajj

It should be clear, first of all, that performing Hajj is only obligatory on those who can afford for it. If one cannot afford for Hajj and can only afford for `Umrah, it is absolutely permissible to perform `Umrah without Hajj. However, Hajj becomes obligatory on one when he can later afford for it.

Dr. Rif`at Fawzi, former professor of Shari`ah at Cairo Univ. , states: “If one can only afford for ‘umrah without hajj, there is nothing wrong with only performing `Umrah because there is no connection between Hajj and `Umrah.

If, afterwards, one can afford for Hajj, then one has to perform it; but if they could not, then Hajj is not obligatory on them.”

Allah Almighty knows best.