Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
a husband and wife are going on hajj mashallah. they saved up for the trip using the husbands income from his job.but they were able to do this because the wife is claiming welfare benefits on a single parent status in order to receive help with the rent. however, if they were to apply for financial help together as a couple they would be entitled to more financial support than they have currently but in order to balance out the deception they are not claiming further welfare benefits. they are in this situation due to some paperwork complication. would their hajj be accepted with that saving?
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
Making such claims is a major sin (kabira), and it is immediately obligatory to (1) repent and desist from this act; and (2) to take the means to repay all money and benefits received from such activity. This takes precedence over performance of Hajj, as it relates to the rights of others; and the performance of Hajj in such a situation would itself be sinful–and far from being accepted by Allah.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever cheats is not from us.” And he warned that, “Wrongdoing becomes many-fold darknesses on the Day of Judgment.”
And with regards to the acceptability of actions, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) reminded us that, “Allah is Pure and accepts only that which is pure.”
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani