Performing Hajj For Others
Can Hajj be performed for a deceased person?
If the deceased Muslim had not performed his Hajj and he had left bequests then it is obligatory for Hajj to be performed on his behalf, using expenses from this wealth. If he does not leave behind sufficient wealth, then it is not obligatory upon his heirs to perform it on his behalf. However, if it is done for him, then it is commendable. This is only applicable for the first Hajj. If the deceased person necessary for Hajj to be performed Hajj during his lifetime, then it is not necessary for Hajj to be performed on his behalf unless he had vowed to perform it again or had left a will that Hajj to be performed for him.
Is it obligatory to perform Hajj on behalf of a deceased person using his bequests when he himself had not made any effort to undertake it during his lifetime when he had sufficient means for it?
Yes, it is obligatory for Hajj to be performed on his behalf using his bequests because this obligation is due upon the wealth and it is the responsibility of his heirs to set aside some amount for his Hajj.
Is it obligatory on the heirs to perform Hajj on a deceased relative who did not leave behind any bequests?
No, it is not obligatory.
What is the reward for a person who performed Hajj on behalf of the deceased relative?
The person will be rewarded for doing a noble act. As for the deceased person, he is absolved from this obligation due upon himQuestion
Can an old person who is weak and unfit due to a terminal illness, send a representative to perform Hajj on his behalf?
Yes. He can send a representative if he is incapable of ever undertaking it himself. Such a person is categorised as Ma’dhub (chronically ill and bedridden).
Can a woman perform Hajj on behalf of a deceased man?
Yes.
Can a person perform Hajj on behalf of more than one deceased persons?
A person can perform Hajj on behalf of only one deceased person in each year.
Can a perform perform Umrah for someone else after he has performed his Obligatory Hajj and Umrah?
Yes.
Is a family member obliged to perform Hajj for the deceased and whose money should cover the expenses?
There are 5 matters that should be fulfilled with regards to a deceased Muslim’s property. Firstly, to settle the burial of the body and all matters related to it. Secondly, to settle claim debts owed to the deceased. Thirdly, to settle all outstanding debts. Fourthly, to fulfil the deceased’s will and finally, to divide the remaining property according to faraid to the rightful heirs.
Therefore, if the deceased has not performed the Hajj during his lifetime even though he/she can afford to do so, it is obligatory that it be performed on his/her behalf, with the condition that the one performing it has performed the Hajj before.
There’s a hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari and Muslim, “A woman from Khas’am asked the Rasululah s.a.w if she could perform the Hajj on behalf of her father who was unable to perform it due to his old age and the Rasulullah answered: “Yes.”
Another Hadith explained how the Rasulullah s.a.w permitted a woman to perform Hajj on behalf of her mother who had made nazar that she would perform the Hajj but had passed away before being able to do so.
In relation to that, a family member may use a portion of the deceased’s property to cover the Hajj expenses which will be performed on the deceased’s behalf as the Hajj, if not performed during one’s lifetime, is considered one’s debt to Allah.
Source: MUIS