Presents and Gifts: Validity of Two Conflicting Gifts and Obligation to Perform Ḥajj

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Presents and Gifts: Validity of Two Conflicting Gifts and Obligation to Perform Ḥajj

English:

Question #1719:

A woman gave her land away by way of gift to a person, on the condition that he would perform hajj for her, in the belief that hajj was incumbent on her despite the fact that her relatives didn’t agree with her analysis. Then, she granted the same land to one of her grand children, and passed away a week later. Which of the two donations is valid? And what would the position of the first person, who was granted the land insofar as the performance of hajj is concerned, be?

Answer #1719:

If the first person was among the woman’s blood relatives and took possession of the land with her permission, the first gift deed is valid and, therefore, binding. It is incumbent on the person to perform hajj on her behalf. As regards the second gift deed, it is dependent on his agreement.
If the first person was not among the woman’s blood relatives or did not take possession of the land, the second gift deed would be considered a revocation of the first one. Therefore, it is deemed valid, rendering the first one invalid. Accordingly, the first person has no right in the land and is, therefore, not required to perform hajj for the woman.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Presents and Gifts