When am I religiously obligated to perform Hajj, given that I live abroad and owe debts to my parents and my wife's mother, and I do not own a house or a car in my home country, and I pay an exorbitant rent, and I still owe my wife her deferred Mahr? Do I need to own a house or a car in my home country before Hajj, or is the ability to buy furniture and pay rent sufficient? Should I try to perform Hajj this year if it is the last chance for residents to obtain a visa?

Hajj is not obligatory except for the one who is able. Ability is determined by having surplus wealth beyond essential needs. Owning a dwelling is not a condition; rather, the ability to pay its rent is sufficient for Hajj to become obligatory. A car is considered among essential needs by some jurists, and it is permissible to purchase it before Hajj. If a person possesses wealth sufficient to purchase a dwelling and the time for Hajj arrives, Hajj becomes obligatory upon him with that wealth if he has not purchased the dwelling. However, before the arrival of the Hajj season, he may purchase whatever he wishes. Debts that are legally binding prevent the obligation of Hajj, whereas debts that one voluntarily pays off do not prevent it.