Giving precedence to marriage over sending parents to perform Hajj

Q: I am an educated 23-year-old man, all praise be to Allah for this. I would like to send my parents to perform the Faridah (obligatory duty) of Hajj, but I also want to fulfill the other half of my religion by getting married, because marriage is a protection to every young man from falling into error. However, I am afraid that if I get married with the money that I have, my parents might die and I will have prevented them from performing this Faridah and bear the sin of this. Please note that we are not a wealthy family.

A: Spending the money you have on your marriage has priority over using it to pay for your parents to perform the Faridah of Hajj, because marriage helps to lower the gaze and protects chastity, as the Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “O young men! Those among you who have the ability for marriage, let them marry, as it is more able to lower the gaze (i.e., from looking at forbidden things) and guard the private parts (i.e., chastity, from illegal sexual acts).” The Messenger (peace be upon him) ordered that marriage should be undertaken when anyone is capable of doing so. Accordingly, you should start with yourself and then help those whom you provide for. If your parents do not have enough money to perform Hajj, it is not obligatory on them, as they do not have the ability to perform it. There is no sin on them if either of them dies without performing this Faridah at their own expense, and you can perform it on their behalf or appoint someone else to do it for them from your money, when it is possible for you to do so. May Allah multiply your reward, and make matters easy for you and your parents. (Part No. 18; Page No. 13) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.