What is the ruling on addressing an elderly person as "Hajji" (extending the yaa'), especially if they are not Muslim or have not performed the Hajj pilgrimage?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is permissible to title someone who has performed Hajj as "Al-Hajj" if there is no fear of conceitedness or showing off from them. The title "Al-Hajj" is also used in some societies for elders as a sign of respect, but it should not be used for someone who has not performed Hajj, as Hajj is a jurisprudential term. It is not permissible to title a disbeliever as "Al-Hajj" because Hajj is an act of worship and obedience to Allah, and it is not permissible to describe a disbeliever with acts of worship. Similarly, the term "Hajji" applies to what applies to the term "Al-Hajj."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/74042
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 74042
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy