What are the conditions for the obligation of Hajj?

For Hajj to be obligatory, five conditions must be met: Islam, sanity, puberty, freedom, and ability (istita'ah).

1. Islam: Hajj is not valid from a disbeliever; rather, they are first commanded to embrace Islam.

2. Sanity and Puberty: The pen is lifted from the child until they reach puberty and from the insane person until they regain their sanity. Therefore, Hajj is not obligatory upon them, but their Hajj is valid if they are taken for Hajj.

3. Freedom: Hajj is not obligatory upon a slave due to their engagement with their master's rights.

4. Ability (Istita'ah): - Physical Ability: To be sound in body and able to endure the hardship of travel. - Financial Ability: To possess sufficient funds for going and returning, in excess of one's basic needs, lawful expenses, and debt repayment. - Debt: Repaying debt takes precedence over Hajj. So, if one has a debt and their money is not sufficient for both Hajj and debt repayment, Hajj is not obligatory upon them. - Lawful Expenses: This includes one's expenses for themselves and their family without extravagance. - Basic Needs: Such as books for a student of knowledge and a car that is needed; one is not required to sell them for Hajj. - Permanent Incapacity: If someone is financially able but physically incapable with an incapacity that is not expected to cease (like an elderly person or someone with a chronic illness), it is obligatory for them to appoint someone to perform Hajj on their behalf. - Woman: For Hajj to be obligatory upon a woman, the presence of a mahram to travel with her is required. The husband's permission is not required for obligatory Hajj. However, for supererogatory (nafl) Hajj, the husband has the right to prevent her.