The Money Was for Hajj but a House Was Built with It: Is Hajj Still Fard?

Question

A certain person had enough money to perform Hajj to the House of Allah, but then, because of certain difficulties, he took up residence in another place. Since he had to build a house there, that money was spent. Now the question is: at the time when he had sufficient money, did Hajj become fard upon him or not? Please explain, and may you be rewarded.

Answer

If the need for a house arose before Hajj and he built the house out of this necessity, then Hajj had not become fard upon him. If, however, at the time of Hajj — that is, at the time when people from his area were setting out for Hajj — there was no need for a house, and the need arose afterwards and he spent the money on it, then Hajj had already become fard upon him: [ar]لو…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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