When Does Hajj Become Obligatory?

First of all, it should be clear that Hajj has been made mandatory only on those who can afford it as Allah, the Almighty, and His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, have said. It is based on the verse in which Allah the Almighty says: “Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah, those who can afford the journey…” (Al `Imran 97)

In his response to a question on this, Sheikh `Abdul-Majeed Subh, a prominent scholar, stated:

“If you are not financially capable to perform Hajj for the time being, then performing Hajj is not obligatory on you now. Also, you are not obliged to take from your wife’s money or jewelry to help you perform Hajj.
When you became financially able to perform Hajj, then you should perform it and not to give out the money in charity to help poor or orphan girls get married.

You should also know that if you became financially able to perform Hajj, then you are not obliged to wait until you become able to spend on your wife expenses of Hajj.”