Can Parents Ask Their Indebted Son to Finance Their Hajj?

If the son is already in debt and does not have enough wealth to both repay his debt and cover his parents' Hajj expenses, then his primary obligation is to repay his debt. In Islamic law, the repayment of debts is given great importance. In fact, if a person has outstanding debts and, after settling them, does not possess wealth equal to or exceeding the nisāb required for Hajj, then Hajj is not obligatory upon him.

Therefore, in such a situation, it is not appropriate for the parents to ask their indebted son to finance their Hajj, especially if doing so would cause him further financial hardship or loss. Rather, the parents should take their son's financial circumstances and ability into consideration.

If the parents themselves do not meet the Sharʿī requirement of financial capability (istiṭāʿah), then Hajj is not obligatory upon them in the first place. Likewise, if they can only perform Hajj by having their indebted son delay the repayment of his debts or endure additional financial hardship, then the son is under no obligation to provide them with the money.

However, if the son, after fulfilling all of his financial obligations and repaying his debts, is able to assist his parents willingly and without causing himself hardship, then doing so is a great act of righteousness, kindness, and dutifulness toward one's parents, for which there is hope of immense reward from Allah. Nevertheless, it is not obligatory upon him.