Taking care of the husband or performing Hajj

Q: My mother is seventy-five years old and she wants to perform Hajj. She is financially capable and she does not have minor children. However, there is something that prevents her from performing Hajj. My eighty-six-year-old father is suffering from an illness. He has been bedridden for two years. Although he does not complain from pain, he cannot do anything for himself. He relieves himself while in bed. My mother, may Allah help her, takes good care of him all the time along with our help, both sons and daughters. We suggested that one of my elder sisters would take good care of our father while she is performing Hajj. Is my mother's obligation to perform Hajj is waived in this case or do we have to take care of our father in order to allow her to perform it? (Part No. 10; Page No. 33) Benefit us, may Allah benefit you, respected Shaykh.

A: If there is someone who can take good care of your sick father and a Mahram (spouse or permanently unmarriageable relative) to travel with your mother, then it is Wajib (obligatory) on her to perform Hajj because Hajj is a Rukn (integral pillar) of Islam. Once the conditions of Hajj are fulfilled, it will be impermissible to delay it. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allâh, for those who are able to undertake the journey. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.