Short answer
If Hajj is fard on you, go yourself first. In the Hanafi school Hajj is due on the person who has the means, without delay, and spending that money on your parents' Hajj while yours is still owed is a mistake. If you can afford both, go together. Paying for parents' Hajj is a great kindness, but it is voluntary.
Hajj is fard on whoever has the means, and in the relied-upon view it should be done in the first year possible. Your parents' Hajj is fard on them only if they have the means themselves. Your own fard comes first; helping them is extra virtue.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Hajj may be delayed after it becomes fard, provided it is done before death, though doing it early is better.
Explanation
The Quran makes Hajj a duty on "whoever is able to find a way". When a man said labbayk on behalf of Shubrumah, the Prophet ﷺ asked if he had done his own Hajj, and told him: do your own first, then Hajj for Shubrumah. The same order of priorities applies to money: your own duty, then the kindness to others.
- You have enough for one place: go yourself. Your parents are not sinful if they never had the means.
- You have enough for all: go together, and you serve them on the journey.
- A parent already has the means: Hajj is due on them from their own wealth; encourage them.
- Giving them the money: if you gift your parents money that makes them able, the gift is a great good deed; accepting it is their choice.
- A parent who needs your care: if your absence would harm a frail parent who has no one else, arrange their care first. For a voluntary Hajj, do not go without their permission in that case.
Delaying your fard Hajj for years so that parents can go first risks losing your health or means. For who must go, see who must perform Hajj. For a parent who can no longer travel, see Hajj badal.
Ask a mufti about your own case. This answer explains the general ruling. When the details of your situation matter, as they do here, ask a qualified mufti and give them the full facts. Where to ask a scholar.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Aal-i-Imraan 3:97
فِيهِ ءَايَٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَٰتٌۭ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنًۭا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًۭا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ﴿٩٧﴾
In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.
Hajj is owed by the one who is able.
Sunan Abi Dawud 1811
Graded sahih... حج عن نفسك ثم حج عن شبرمة ...
"Perform Hajj for yourself, then perform Hajj for Shubrumah."
Your own Hajj comes before Hajj for others.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Hajj, opening section. Hajj is due on the free, adult, sane and able person.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hajj, opening section. The fard Hajj is due without delay; going without parents' permission when they need care is disliked.
- al-Majmu' (Nawawi), Kitab al-Hajj. The Shafi'i view that Hajj may be delayed.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.