Authored by: Shaykh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (may Allah preserve him)
Question:
What is the ruling in Shariah regarding performing Hajj and Umrah on behalf of someone else? Please provide guidance.
Answer:
Performing Hajj on behalf of a wealthy Muslim who is unable to perform Hajj due to weakness, old age, or a chronic illness is called Hajj al-Badal (proxy Hajj). This is permissible provided that the person performing Hajj al-Badal has already completed their own obligatory Hajj. This ruling is based on a Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard a man saying, “Labbaik on behalf of Shubrumah.” The Prophet (ﷺ) asked him, “Who is Shubrumah?” He replied, “He is my brother.” The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, “Perform Hajj on your own behalf first, then perform it on behalf of Shubrumah.”
[Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Manasik: Chapter on a Man Performing Hajj on Behalf of Another, 1811]
It is not necessary for the person doing Hajj al-Badal to be a close relative; anyone may perform it. The Prophet (ﷺ) compared Hajj to repaying a debt, and it is evident that anyone may repay another’s debt, as the Prophet (ﷺ) would at times assume responsibility for the debts of the poor. Additionally, a woman may perform Hajj al-Badal on behalf of a man and vice versa.
Umrah can also be performed on behalf of someone else, as demonstrated in the narration of Sayyiduna Abu Razin al-Uqayli (رضي الله عنه), who said, “O Messenger of Allah! My father is very old and unable to perform Hajj and Umrah.” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “Perform Hajj and Umrah on behalf of your father.”
[Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Hajj: Chapter on It, 930]
What should one recite when visiting the blessed grave of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)?
Answer:
After offering prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque, when visiting the graves of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, and Sayyiduna Umar (رضي الله عنهما), recite the same supplication that the Prophet (ﷺ) taught to Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) when she inquired, “What should I say upon visiting graves?” The Prophet (ﷺ) advised her to recite the following words:
"Peace be upon you, O dwellers of the abode of the believers and Muslims. May Allah have mercy on those who went ahead of us and those who come after. Indeed, if Allah wills, we shall meet you."
[Muslim, Kitab al-Jana’iz: Chapter on What to Say When Entering the Graves and Supplicating for Their Dwellers, 974]
This supplication brings peace upon the deceased and serves as a reminder of the reality of death and the eventual reunion in the Hereafter.
Question:
What is the ruling in Shariah regarding performing Hajj and Umrah on behalf of someone else? Please provide guidance.
Answer:
Performing Hajj on behalf of a wealthy Muslim who is unable to perform Hajj due to weakness, old age, or a chronic illness is called Hajj al-Badal (proxy Hajj). This is permissible provided that the person performing Hajj al-Badal has already completed their own obligatory Hajj. This ruling is based on a Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard a man saying, “Labbaik on behalf of Shubrumah.” The Prophet (ﷺ) asked him, “Who is Shubrumah?” He replied, “He is my brother.” The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, “Perform Hajj on your own behalf first, then perform it on behalf of Shubrumah.”
[Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Manasik: Chapter on a Man Performing Hajj on Behalf of Another, 1811]
It is not necessary for the person doing Hajj al-Badal to be a close relative; anyone may perform it. The Prophet (ﷺ) compared Hajj to repaying a debt, and it is evident that anyone may repay another’s debt, as the Prophet (ﷺ) would at times assume responsibility for the debts of the poor. Additionally, a woman may perform Hajj al-Badal on behalf of a man and vice versa.
Umrah can also be performed on behalf of someone else, as demonstrated in the narration of Sayyiduna Abu Razin al-Uqayli (رضي الله عنه), who said, “O Messenger of Allah! My father is very old and unable to perform Hajj and Umrah.” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “Perform Hajj and Umrah on behalf of your father.”
[Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Hajj: Chapter on It, 930]
Visiting the Grave of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)
Question:What should one recite when visiting the blessed grave of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)?
Answer:
After offering prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque, when visiting the graves of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, and Sayyiduna Umar (رضي الله عنهما), recite the same supplication that the Prophet (ﷺ) taught to Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) when she inquired, “What should I say upon visiting graves?” The Prophet (ﷺ) advised her to recite the following words:
"Peace be upon you, O dwellers of the abode of the believers and Muslims. May Allah have mercy on those who went ahead of us and those who come after. Indeed, if Allah wills, we shall meet you."
[Muslim, Kitab al-Jana’iz: Chapter on What to Say When Entering the Graves and Supplicating for Their Dwellers, 974]
This supplication brings peace upon the deceased and serves as a reminder of the reality of death and the eventual reunion in the Hereafter.