Can Zakat money be used for Umrah and Hajj?

Zakat is a fundamental obligation in Islam. As a result, people with sufficient wealth have to donate a portion of it to the poor every year. Its primary purpose is to support the poor and those in need. But many people want to know can Zakat money be used for Umrah and Hajj.

It is not possible to answer this question in one word. For this, we have to discuss the Quran-Hadith and the opinions of the Imams. Only by discussing these can the correct answer to the mentioned question be found. Let us read the entire article and find out the answer to the question.

What does the Quran say?

The Quran addresses the eligibility for performing Hajj and Umrah:

وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا

"And performing Hajj to this House is a duty owed to Allah by those who can undertake the journey." (Surah Al-Imran: 97)

This verse highlights that Hajj and Umrah are obligatory only for those with the financial capability to afford them.

Another verse outlines the permissible uses of Zakat:

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

"Zakat is meant only for the poor, the needy, those who collect it, those whose hearts need reconciliation, to free slaves, to help those in debt, for the cause of Allah, and travelers in need." (Surah At-Tawbah: 60)

The categories mentioned here do not include Hajj or Umrah, indicating that Zakat money is not meant for these purposes.

What does the Hadith say?

The hadith sheds light on the proper use of Zakat money:

عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ لاَ تَحِلُّ الصَّدَقَةُ لِغَنِىٍّ إِلاَّ لِخَمْسَةٍ لِغَازٍ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ أَوْ لِعَامِلٍ عَلَيْهَا أَوْ لِغَارِمٍ أَوْ لِرَجُلٍ اشْتَرَاهَا بِمَالِهِ أَوْ لِرَجُلٍ كَانَ لَهُ جَارٌ مِسْكِيْنٌ فَتُصُدِّقَ عَلَى الْمِسْكِيْنِ فَأَهْدَاهَا الْمِسْكِيْنُ لِلْغَنِىِّ

"In a hadith narrated by Ata ibn Yasir (R), the Prophet (SAW) said: It is not permissible for a wealthy person to receive Zakat, except in five cases: (1) a person fighting in the way of Allah, (2) a Zakat collector, (3) someone in debt, (4) a person who purchases Zakat goods with their money, and (5) a poor neighbor who gifts it to a wealthy individual."

(Abu Dawood: 1635)

In another Hadith, the Prophet (SAW) said:

أَنَّ اللهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً فِيْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ، تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ وَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ

"Allah has ruled charity (Zakat) from the wealth of the rich, to be distributed among the poor."

(Bukhari: 1395)

These narrations confirm that Zakat is intended to aid the poor and specific categories of individuals. Not for use in Hajj or Umrah.

Scholars’ opinions

The majority of Islamic scholars agree that Zakat money should not be used for Hajj or Umrah. However, notable exceptions exist:

• Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal permitted the use of Zakat money for Hajj and Umrah under certain conditions.
• Imam Ibn Taymiyah also supported this opinion, though it remains a minority view.

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