General rulings on hajj and umrah
Is it permissible to give or use the titles Haji and Hajjah for someone who has not yet performed Hajj?
Answer in brief
In principle, giving the title Haji or Hajjah to someone who has not performed Hajj is permissible, as it may encourage them and serve as a prayer that they get the chance to go. However, under the principle that custom is given legal weight, Malaysian custom reserves these titles for those who have completed Hajj. The fatwa therefore advises that the titles are best avoided for those who have not performed Hajj, to prevent confusion and deception by people who misuse them for gain.
Summary written by DHUMY from the Malay original and checked against it.
Kesimpulannya, kami melihat pemberian dan penggunaan gelaran haji atau hajjah kepada mereka yang belum lagi menunaikan haji seelok-eloknya dielakkan kerana menurut adat dan uruf di tanah air kita gelaran tersebut diberikan kepada mereka yang telah menyempurnakan rukun islam kelima.
Source
AL-KAFI #1538 : MEMBERIKAN GELARAN HAJI DAN HAJJAH KEPADA ORANG YANG BELUM MENUNAIKAN HAJIOffice of the Mufti of the Federal Territories · Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi · Published 20 January 2020
This page summarises a published fatwa; it is not a new ruling. For your own situation, read the full fatwa or consult the mufti office of your state.
Other questions on this topic
- Is it proper to ask a person returning from Hajj or Umrah to make dua for you?
- Should the voluntary fast of the Day of Arafah follow the date in Mecca or the date in one's own country, and when is the time when supplication is answered?
- Does an accepted pilgrimage (hajj mabrur) erase sins related to obligations and the rights of others, such as deliberately delaying the repayment of a debt?
- Is it permissible to fast only on the Day of Arafah if one has not been fasting since 1 Dhul Hijjah, and must it be preceded by fasting on the earlier days?
- What is the ruling on calling someone who has not performed Hajj by the title ‘Haji’ or ‘Hajah’?
- What are the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah?