6. Delegating Hajj

If a person can afford to do hajj but is unable to do it physically because he is old or sick, he must delegate someone to go on his behalf, according to 'Ali (&). That was narrated from him by Ibn Hazm and others.150 Concerning the old man, he said that he should give another man enough to cover the expenses of hajj and let him do hajj on his behalf.15' The evidence for that is the report narrated by Ibn 'Abbb, according to which a woman from Khath'am said: "0 Messenger of Allah (g), my father is an old man, and he still has to perfonn the obligation of hajj, but he cannot sit up straight on the back of his camel." The Prophet (&) said: "Perfonn hajj on his behalf."15z This indicates that being fmancially able to afford it is sufficient to make it obligatoly to do hajj for one who is accountable, according to 'Ali and those who were with him. As for being physically able, it is sufficient if he is able by means of another person, whether on the basis of paying his expenses or hiring him or by other means.153