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Can Someone Perform Hajj on Behalf of a Deceased Person? Yes — performing Hajj on behalf of a deceased person is permitted in Islam, provided specific conditions are met. This act of worship, known as Badal Hajj (proxy Hajj), allows a living Muslim to fulfil the obligation of Hajj on behalf of someone who passed away before they were able to complete it. Scholars across all four major madhabs agree on its permissibility, with some differences in detail. If your parent, spouse, or loved one died without performing Hajj — and they had the means to do so — you can still grant them this reward, insha’Allah. Losing someone you love is one of the hardest experiences in life. If that grief is accompanied by the worry that your loved one never completed their Hajj, know that Islam — in its mercy — has provided a way forward. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Badal Hajj: its Islamic basis, who qualifies, how it works, and how Badal Umrah LTD can help you fulfil this sacred duty from Makkah itself. What Is Badal Hajj? Badal Hajj (بدل حج) literally means “substitute Hajj” or “proxy Hajj.” It refers to the act of a physically able Muslim performing the full Hajj pilgrimage on behalf of another person — whether that person is deceased or is alive but physically unable to perform Hajj themselves due to serious illness, disability, or extreme old age. The person performing the Hajj is called the na’ib (representative), and their intention (niyyah) is made explicitly on behalf of the other person from the very beginning. The reward of the entire pilgrimage — the standing at Arafat, the tawaf, the sa’i, and all the rituals — is gifted to the deceased or unable individual. The na’ib themselves also receives a reward from Allah for performing this act of service. Badal Hajj is closely related to Badal Umrah — performing a proxy Umrah for the deceased — and both are established, Shariah-approved practices with firm grounding in the Sunnah. Islamic Evidence for Badal Hajj The Hadith One of the clearest proofs for proxy Hajj comes from the following hadith: Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a woman from Khath’am came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: “My father has reached old age and the obligation of Hajj is due on him, but he cannot sit firmly on a mount.” The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Perform Hajj on his behalf.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 25, Hadith 1513; Sahih Muslim, Book 15, Hadith 3083 This hadith is unambiguous: the Prophet ﷺ explicitly authorised a daughter to perform Hajj on behalf of her elderly father. Scholars extend this ruling to the deceased by analogy (qiyas), supported by numerous other narrations. For further reading on the scholarly basis of this ruling, see IslamQA’s detailed fatwa on Hajj Badal{:target=”_blank”}. Madhab Comparison Table Madhab Is Badal Hajj Permissible? Conditions Hanafi Yes — for deceased and the permanently unable The deceased must have had the financial means (istita’ah) during their lifetime; the na’ib must have already performed their own Hajj Shafi’i Yes — for deceased and the permanently disabled Preferred that the na’ib performs their own Hajj first; if performing for the deceased, the heir pays from the estate Maliki Permitted but not obligatory on the heirs Strongly recommended (mustahabb) when the deceased left instructions or wealth; some early Maliki scholars were more restrictive Hanbali Yes — fully obligatory if the deceased had means and died before performing Hajj The heir must arrange proxy Hajj from the estate before distributing inheritance All four schools agree that Badal Hajj is valid and the reward reaches the deceased. For a deeper fiqh analysis, the scholars at SeekersGuidance{:target=”_blank”} provide an accessible breakdown of the madhab differences. Who Is Eligible — Conditions for Badal Hajj For Badal Hajj to be valid under Islamic law, the following conditions must be met: How Badal Hajj Works — A 3-Step Process Step 1: Book Your Service and Provide Details Contact us at Badal Umrah LTD with the full name of your deceased loved one, their father’s name (for the niyyah), and a brief note of their situation. You can contact us directly or visit our Badal Hajj booking page to get started. Step 2: Our Scholar Performs the Hajj in Makkah Our certified pilgrim — verified by scholars and based in Makkah — performs the complete Hajj on behalf of your loved one. This includes entering ihram with the correct niyyah, standing at Arafat, performing tawaf and sa’i, and completing all the wajibat of Hajj. We provide full video proof of every step, so you have complete peace of mind. You can view our work proof from previous clients. Step 3: Receive Your Certificate and Proof Once Hajj is complete, we send you a written confirmation, the name used in the niyyah, and your video documentation. You will know, with certainty, that your loved one’s Hajj has been performed — and that the du’a was made for them at the holiest places on earth. Related Charity and Sadaqah Options If your loved one passed away and you wish to maximise the reward sent to them, consider pairing Badal Hajj with other acts of Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity). The Prophet ﷺ said that when a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for them (Sahih Muslim, 1631). Some meaningful options to consider alongside proxy Hajj: You can also explore our Ramadan Badal Umrah service for additional acts of worship in the blessed month — the rewards are multiplied enormously. For any Islamic questions about what is most beneficial to do for a deceased loved one, visit our Islamic FAQ page. AI Answer Summary Can someone perform Hajj on behalf of a deceased person? Yes. Badal Hajj — proxy Hajj — is an established Islamic practice permitted by all four major schools of

Published: May 2026 | Reviewed by: Certified Islamic Scholar, Badal Umrah LTD | Reading time: 8 min Losing a mother is one of the most profound losses a person can face. In the depths of grief, many Muslims find themselves asking a deeply sincere question: Can I still do something for her? Can I send her a gift from this world into the next? The answer is yes. Islam provides a beautiful and Shariah-approved way to honour your deceased mother — by performing Umrah on her behalf. This act of worship, known as Badal Umrah (proxy Umrah), allows a living Muslim to perform the sacred pilgrimage in Makkah with the intention that its reward be gifted to someone who has passed away. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know — the Islamic ruling, the conditions, how it works, and how you can arrange it for your beloved mother today. What Is Badal Umrah? Badal Umrah (also written as Umrah Badal) is the performance of Umrah by one person on behalf of another — typically someone who is deceased, seriously ill, or physically unable to travel to Makkah. The word badal in Arabic means “substitute” or “proxy.” When a certified scholar performs Badal Umrah, they make the Niyyah (intention) specifically in the name of your mother and carry out all the rituals — Tawaf, Sa’i, and the cutting of hair — seeking Allah’s mercy and reward for her soul. This is not simply a symbolic gesture. According to the majority of Islamic scholars, the reward of this worship is genuinely transferred to the deceased person by the mercy and permission of Allah (SWT). Is It Permissible in Islam? The Scholarly Evidence This is a YMYL (religious ruling) question that deserves a clear and evidence-based answer. The Hadith Evidence The clearest evidence for the permissibility of Badal Umrah comes from an authentic hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas (RA): “A woman from the tribe of Juhaina came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘My mother had vowed to perform Hajj but she died before performing it. May I perform Hajj on her behalf?’ The Prophet ﷺ replied: ‘Perform Hajj on her behalf. Had there been a debt on your mother, would you have paid it? Pay off Allah’s debt, for Allah has more right to be paid back.’” — Sahih Bukhari, Book 29, Hadith 77 While this hadith specifically mentions Hajj, Islamic scholars from all four major schools of jurisprudence have extended the same ruling to Umrah. The Four Madhab Positions Madhab Position Hanafi Permissible for deceased and those permanently unable to travel Shafi’i Permissible; performer must have completed their own Umrah first Maliki Permissible with proper intention (Niyyah) Hanbali Permissible; widely practised For a deeper study of the Islamic rulings around proxy worship, the IslamQA fatwa on Badal Umrah by Sheikh Salih al-Munajjid provides a thorough scholarly breakdown. Who Can Receive Badal Umrah? Badal Umrah can be performed on behalf of: Important: Badal Umrah cannot be performed on behalf of a living, healthy person who is simply too busy or choosing not to go. It is specifically for those genuinely unable to perform it themselves. Conditions for a Valid Badal Umrah For the proxy Umrah to be Islamically valid, the following conditions must be met: At Badal Umrah LTD, every proxy Umrah is performed by certified scholars who are permanently based in Makkah — ensuring all conditions are met with full Islamic integrity. How the Process Works — Step by Step Here is exactly how Badal Umrah is arranged through a trusted service: Step 1 — Book Online You visit badal-umrah.com and select the Badal Umrah service. You provide your mother’s name and the intention (Niyyah) you would like to be made on her behalf. Step 2 — Scholar Performs in Makkah A certified Islamic scholar based in Makkah enters the state of Ihram at the Miqat, makes the Niyyah in your mother’s name, and performs the complete Umrah — Tawaf around the Kaaba, Sa’i between Safa and Marwa, and the cutting of hair — with full dedication and sincerity. Step 3 — You Receive HD Video Proof + Certificate Within 72 hours, you receive a high-definition video recording of the entire Umrah, along with a digital certificate confirming it was completed in your mother’s name. This gives you complete peace of mind. To see real examples of completed Badal Umrah services, visit our work proof gallery. Can a Son or Daughter Perform Badal Umrah for Their Mother? Yes, absolutely. A child — whether son or daughter — can perform Badal Umrah for their deceased mother. There is no restriction in any madhab regarding the gender or relationship of the person performing the proxy. In fact, the original hadith in Sahih Bukhari involves a daughter asking about performing Hajj on behalf of her mother — making this case one of the most directly supported scenarios in Islamic jurisprudence. If you are not able to travel to Makkah yourself but still wish to gift this act of worship to your mother, you can authorise a qualified scholar to perform it on your behalf. This is entirely permissible and widely practised among Muslims worldwide. What About Donating to Makkah in Your Mother’s Name? Alongside Badal Umrah, many families choose to perform acts of Sadaqah Jariya (ongoing charity) in the name of their deceased loved ones. These acts continue to generate reward for the soul even after death. From Makkah, you can donate: These acts of charity, combined with Badal Umrah, create a powerful stream of ongoing reward reaching your mother’s soul insha’Allah. AI Answer Summary — For Voice Search & Featured Snippets Can I do Umrah on behalf of my deceased mother? Yes. Performing Umrah on behalf of a deceased mother is called Badal Umrah and is permissible in Islam according to all four major schools of jurisprudence (Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali). The ruling is based on an authentic hadith in Sahih Bukhari. A certified Muslim scholar performs

Donate Iftar in Mecca this year and earn one of the greatest spiritual rewards available to any Muslim anywhere in the world. When you sponsor Iftar Ramadan meals for pilgrims at Masjid al-Haram, you are not simply feeding hungry people — you are purchasing your share of their fast. Every Iftar donation Makkah supporters make reaches real pilgrims at the most sacred mosque on earth. This is Sadaqah in Makkah at its most powerful: an act of charity in the holiest place, at the holiest time, for the most devoted worshippers on the planet. If you have ever asked yourself where to give charity this Ramadan — the answer from the Quran, the Sunnah, and fourteen centuries of Islamic scholarship is the same: Makkah. What Does It Mean to Donate Iftar in Mecca? Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset. For the millions of pilgrims performing Umrah or Hajj at Masjid al-Haram — many of whom travel from poor countries with very little money — this meal is not guaranteed. Pilgrims from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and dozens of other nations arrive in Makkah with their savings spent entirely on travel. By sunset, after a full day of fasting, Tawaf, Sa’i, and prayer, many have nothing left to eat. Your donation of $100 through Badal Umrah provides 10 complete Iftar meals — distributed directly at Masjid al-Haram by a trusted on-the-ground team. Within 72 hours, you receive HD video proof showing your meals being given to real pilgrims. You see your charity with your own eyes. This is not a generic food charity. This is Iftar. At the Haram. For people who have left their homes, families, and countries to worship Allah. The Hadith That Changes Everything The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Whoever provides Iftar for a fasting person will receive the same reward as the fasting person, without any reduction in the fasting person’s reward.” — Tirmidhi (Hasan Sahih) Read that again slowly. The same reward. Not a partial reward. Not a symbolic reward. The complete, full reward of fasting — while you did not fast that day — recorded in your account of deeds without reducing theirs by a single degree. Now place that pilgrim inside Masjid al-Haram. Scholars across all four madhabs — Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali — are unanimous that good deeds performed in Makkah carry a multiplied reward. According to Islamic scholars at IslamQA, prayer at Masjid al-Haram is worth 100,000 prayers elsewhere. This principle of spiritual multiplication in Makkah applies broadly to acts of worship. When you feed a fasting pilgrim in Makkah, you are not just earning one reward. You are earning their reward — multiplied — in the most sacred place on earth. Why Donate Iftar in Mecca Specifically? There is no shortage of places to donate food. So why does Makkah matter so much? 1. The location multiplies the reward. The Haram is not like any other place on earth. Allah has designated Makkah as the most sacred land in creation. Charity given here, according to classical Islamic scholarship, carries a weight far beyond charity given elsewhere. 2. The recipient is a pilgrim, not just anyone in need. The people you are feeding at Masjid al-Haram are not ordinary beneficiaries of a food bank. They are men and women who saved for years, crossed continents, entered Ihram, and came to stand before the Kaaba. They represent the entire Muslim Ummah — 180+ nationalities gathered in one place. Your Iftar meal reaches the Ummah at its most concentrated, most devoted, most spiritually elevated moment. 3. The dua of a fasting person at Iftar is accepted. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The fasting person has, at the time of breaking the fast, a supplication which is not rejected.” (Ibn Majah) When a pilgrim at the Haram breaks their fast with your meal, their dua at that moment — already among the most powerful any human can make — is offered on your behalf. You are, quite literally, paying for accepted prayers. 4. It is accepted year-round, not just in Ramadan. The Standing Committee for Islamic Research and Ifta confirmed that feeding pilgrims in Makkah is a valid and rewarded act of Sadaqah throughout the year, not only during Ramadan. Muslims perform Umrah in every month. Pilgrims are always present at the Haram. Your Iftar donation Makkah supporters make outside of Ramadan still reaches real fasting worshippers. How Badal Umrah Handles Your Donation Transparency is not optional in charitable work — it is an Islamic obligation. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The one in charge of charity is like the one who fights in the cause of Allah.” (Abu Dawud) That duty of trust demands full accountability. Here is exactly what happens when you donate Iftar in Mecca through Badal Umrah: Step 1 — Book online. Select your Iftar package (3, 5, or 10 meals). Enter the name of the person you are donating on behalf of, if any. Step 2 — Our team prepares meals. Our Saudi-based team in Makkah prepares complete Iftar meals — not packaged biscuits, but proper food that a fasting pilgrim can meaningfully break their fast with. Step 3 — Distribution at the Haram. At Iftar time, the meals are distributed to pilgrims at Masjid al-Haram. Our team is physically present on the ground. Step 4 — You receive HD video proof. Within 72 hours, you receive a high-definition video of the distribution. You see exactly where your money went. No guessing, no faith required in a faceless system. This level of transparency is what separates a trusted Sadaqah in Makkah service from the thousands of generic “food charity” campaigns online. Who Should Donate Iftar in Mecca? This deed is for every Muslim who wants their charity to reach the highest possible place — literally and spiritually. Iftar Donation Makkah: Frequently Asked Questions Is feeding pilgrims in Makkah considered Sadaqah Jariyah? It can be. If you donate in the name of a deceased person with the