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📅 April 2026 ✍️ Badal Umrah LTD — Islamic Content Team ⏱ 12 min read Hajj Guide 2026: Dates, Rituals, Costs, and What to Do If You Cannot Travel Hajj 2026 (1447 AH) is expected to begin on Monday 25 May 2026, with the Day of Arafah on Tuesday 26 May and Eid al-Adha on Wednesday 27 May — subject to Saudi moon-sighting confirmation. This guide covers everything: who must go, how to register, what happens day by day, what Hajj costs from Europe and South Asia, and the Islamic ruling on Badal Hajj for those who cannot make the journey. Table of Contents Every year, roughly two million Muslims converge on a small patch of land in western Saudi Arabia and, for five days, become equal. The teacher from Milan and the farmer from Sylhet stand side by side in identical white cloth, making the same dua, walking the same ground Ibrahim (AS) walked. This is Hajj — and for every Muslim who is able, it is not optional. For Muslims living in Italy, Germany, the UK, or anywhere across the European diaspora, Hajj in 2026 carries some practical differences from what pilgrims in Muslim-majority countries experience: different registration routes, different package structures, and often — the painful reality of elderly or chronically ill parents back home who can no longer make the journey themselves. This guide addresses all of it. What are the Hajj 2026 dates? Hajj takes place annually during Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Because the Hijri year is approximately eleven days shorter than the Gregorian year, Hajj moves earlier each year. In 2026 (1447 AH), Dhul Hijjah is expected to begin on Monday 18 May 2026, making the key Hajj days fall as follows: 8 Dhul Hijjah Mon 25 May 2026 Yawm al-Tarwiyah — travel to Mina 9 Dhul Hijjah Tue 26 May 2026 Yawm Arafah — the pinnacle of Hajj 10 Dhul Hijjah Wed 27 May 2026 Eid al-Adha — sacrifice and Tawaf al-Ifadah 11–13 Dhul Hijjah Thu 28 – Sat 30 May 2026 Ayyam al-Tashriq — stoning in Mina ⚠️ All dates are based on astronomical calculations. The Saudi Supreme Court confirms exact dates after the crescent moon sighting of Dhul Hijjah. Plan your travel flexibly around 22–31 May 2026. The official confirmation will be announced through the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. For Muslims outside Saudi Arabia, particularly those in Europe, late May means Hajj falls during a relatively mild period — significantly cooler than the summer-heat Hajj seasons of 2023 and 2024, when temperatures in Makkah exceeded 45°C and caused significant health emergencies. The 2026 timing is a genuine mercy for older and more vulnerable pilgrims. Who is Hajj obligatory for — and when does the obligation fall away? Hajj is fard (obligatory) once in a lifetime upon every Muslim who meets the conditions of istita’ah — the Arabic term for ability. Allah says in the Quran: “And Hajj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for those who can find a way.”— Surah Ali ‘Imran, 3:97 The scholars of all four major madhabs — Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali — agree that Hajj becomes obligatory when a Muslim is: an adult of sound mind; financially able to cover the journey and leave sufficient provision for their dependants; physically capable of making the journey; and, for women, accompanied by a mahram or, under the 2024 Saudi regulatory update, part of an organised women’s group. What the obligation does not do is disappear simply because a person becomes unable. If a Muslim was financially and physically able at some point in their life but never performed Hajj, and later became permanently unable due to illness or old age, the obligation transfers — it must be fulfilled on their behalf by a proxy. This is the basis of Badal Hajj, which we return to in full below. The obligation also does not apply to someone who is currently in debt that their creditor is actively demanding repayment of, or to someone who is genuinely unable to afford the journey without financial hardship. The Sharia never places a burden beyond a person’s real capacity. What are the Hajj rituals and what happens each day? Most pilgrims today perform Hajj al-Tamattu’ — performing Umrah first upon arrival in Makkah, exiting Ihram, and then re-entering Ihram for Hajj on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah. This is the form of Hajj the Prophet ﷺ encouraged his companions to perform, as recorded in Sahih Muslim 1211. Day 1 — 8 Dhul Hijjah: Entering Ihram and travelling to Mina On the morning of the 8th, pilgrims enter the state of Ihram at their designated Miqat — the sacred boundary points surrounding Makkah. Men wear two unstitched white sheets; women wear modest, full-covering clothing. The Talbiyah is recited continuously: Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka la shareeka laka Labbayk… Pilgrims then travel to the tent city of Mina, approximately 8km from Makkah, where they spend the night in worship and preparation. Day 2 — 9 Dhul Hijjah: Wuquf at Arafat — the heart of Hajj This single day is Hajj. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Hajj is Arafat” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 889). Missing the standing at Arafat — which runs from after the noon prayer until sunset — means the Hajj is invalid and must be repeated. Two million pilgrims stand on this plain in an act of collective supplication that has no parallel in human religious experience. After sunset, everyone moves together to Muzdalifah, where Maghrib and Isha are prayed combined, pebbles are collected for the following day, and pilgrims sleep under open sky. Day 3 — 10 Dhul Hijjah: Eid al-Adha — the day of sacrifice Three major acts must be completed on this day: the stoning of Jamrat al-Aqabah (the largest of the three pillars at Mina) with seven pebbles; the Nahr, the sacrifice of an animal in commemoration of Ibrahim (AS) — now handled for most pilgrims through the Nusuk platform’s electronic voucher system; and Tawaf al-Ifadah, the obligatory circumambulation of the

Your mother spent her whole life praying toward Makkah. She raised you, sacrificed for you, and always spoke of one dream — to stand before the Kaaba and make dua with her own hands. But now her legs cannot carry her the distance, her doctor has advised against long-haul travel, and the crowd of millions feels beyond what her body can bear. If you are asking whether you can perform Umrah on behalf of your elderly mother, the answer — rooted in authentic Hadith and the agreement of Islamic scholars — is yes. This act is called Badal Umrah, and it is one of the most profound gifts a child can offer a parent who can no longer make the journey herself. This guide covers everything you need to know: the Islamic ruling, the exact conditions, who qualifies, how to make the correct Niyyah, and what to do if you cannot travel to Makkah yourself. Is It Permissible to Perform Umrah on Behalf of an Elderly Mother? Yes — performing Umrah on behalf of an elderly mother who is unable to travel is permissible according to Islamic scholars across all four major madhabs: Hanafi, Shafi’i, Hanbali, and Maliki. The evidence comes directly from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. A man once came to the Prophet and said: “O Messenger of Allah, my father is an old man who cannot do Hajj or Umrah, nor can he travel.” The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Perform Hajj and Umrah on behalf of your father.” — Sunan an-Nasa’i 2621, Sunan Ibn Majah 2903 In another narration, a woman asked the Prophet whether she could perform Hajj on behalf of her elderly father who was too weak to sit on a mount. The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Yes, you may.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1513) Scholars apply the same ruling equally to mothers. The Standing Committee for Islamic Research and Ifta (Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daimah, 11/81) states clearly: “If you have done Umrah on your own behalf, it is permissible for you to do Umrah on behalf of your mother and father if they are unable to do it because of old age or sickness for which there is no hope of recovery.” Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) further affirmed that this is valid even without the mother’s explicit permission if she is permanently incapacitated by old age or illness. When Is Your Mother Considered “Unable” to Perform Umrah? Not every situation qualifies for Badal Umrah. The condition of inability must be permanent or long-term — not temporary. Here are the situations that do and do not qualify. Your mother qualifies for Badal Umrah if she has: Extreme old age — too physically frail to endure long-haul international travel Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease (Saudi Arabia now officially prohibits these patients from performing Hajj or Umrah in person as of 2026) Advanced heart failure or serious chronic heart disease Chronic kidney failure requiring dialysis Chronic lung disease requiring continuous oxygen Parkinson’s disease or severe neurological conditions affecting mobility Severe joint conditions or physical disability preventing the walking required during Tawaf and Sa’i Any chronic illness from which there is no realistic hope of recovery Your mother does NOT qualify if she: Is financially unable to afford the trip but is physically healthy — in this case, the correct action is for you to sponsor her journey, not perform Badal Umrah on her behalf Is temporarily unwell but expected to recover Simply does not wish to travel or is “too busy” Has already performed her own obligatory Umrah and you want to perform an extra one for her — this is a matter of scholarly difference of opinion and should be discussed with a qualified scholar If your mother’s situation falls into the first category — permanent physical inability — then Badal Umrah is not just permitted, it is a beautiful act of Birr (righteousness toward parents) that both you and she will be rewarded for. Who Can Perform Umrah on Behalf of an Elderly Mother? The proxy performing the Badal Umrah — whether that is you, a sibling, or a certified scholar — must meet the following conditions: 1. Must be Muslim. The proxy must be a practising Muslim who understands the significance and rituals of the pilgrimage. 2. Must have already performed their own Umrah. This is established by the Hadith of Shubrumah, in which the Prophet ﷺ heard a man making Niyyah on behalf of another person and asked: “Have you performed Hajj for yourself?” The man said no. The Prophet ﷺ told him: “Perform Hajj for yourself first, then perform Hajj on behalf of Shubrumah.” (Abu Dawud) You cannot perform Badal Umrah for your mother if you have not yet performed Umrah for yourself. 3. Must be physically capable of completing all four rituals of Umrah: Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, and Halq/Taqsir. 4. Can be any trusted Muslim — not necessarily a blood relative. A son, daughter, brother, sister, or even a non-relative may perform it. There is no requirement in Islamic jurisprudence that the proxy be related to your mother. 5. A daughter can perform Badal Umrah for her mother. Women may act as proxy for both male and female recipients, according to the majority of scholars. However, she must travel with a mahram, as required for women undertaking any pilgrimage journey. One Umrah, one person. A single Umrah can only be dedicated to one person at a time. If you wish to perform Badal Umrah for both your mother and father, you must perform two separate Umrahs with separate Ihrams and separate intentions. Do You Need Your Mother’s Permission? If your mother is alive and mentally capable, it is recommended — though not strictly obligatory according to the majority of scholars — to inform her and seek her blessing before performing Badal Umrah on her behalf. If your mother is alive but mentally incapacitated (such as severe dementia), Shaykh Ibn Baz ruled that the Badal Umrah is valid without her permission,