The Ruling on Umrah Badal for the Deceased and Permanently Incapacitated
The general ruling, supporting evidence and the limits of eligibility
Many Muslims ask whether Umrah may be performed on behalf of a deceased relative or a living person who cannot travel to Makkah and complete the rites because of advanced age or a lasting illness from which recovery is not reasonably expected.
The position adopted by Moneeb is that Umrah may be performed on behalf of a deceased Muslim and a living Muslim with permanent incapacity.
Some subsidiary issues are subject to different scholarly views. A single ruling should therefore not be applied to every case without considering its particular circumstances.
What Is Umrah Badal?
Umrah Badal, also described as Umrah performed on behalf of another person, means that one Muslim completes the rites of Umrah with the intention of a specifically identified Muslim who is deceased or permanently unable to perform the Umrah personally.
The appointed performer completes the normal rites, beginning with Ihram from the applicable Miqat, followed by Tawaf around the Ka‘bah, Sa‘i between Safa and Marwah, and finally shaving or shortening the hair.
The principal distinction is that the performer enters the rite intending the Umrah for the person named in the request rather than for himself or herself.
Umrah on Behalf of a Deceased Muslim
Umrah may be performed on behalf of a deceased Muslim, whether it is carried out in fulfilment of an obligation the person was unable to complete during life or as a voluntary Umrah performed on the person’s behalf, according to the religious position adopted by Moneeb.
The deceased person does not need to have left prior instructions requesting the Umrah, and the appointed performer does not need to be a relative.
A man may perform Umrah on behalf of a woman, and a woman may perform it on behalf of a man, provided that the performer satisfies the applicable requirements.
However, neither the platform nor the performer should claim that the Umrah has necessarily been accepted or that a particular amount of reward has reached the deceased. Acceptance and reward are matters of the unseen that belong to Allah alone.
What can be assessed is whether the observable rites were performed with the intention of the person named in the request.
Umrah on Behalf of a Living Person with Permanent Incapacity
Umrah may be performed on behalf of a living Muslim who is permanently unable to complete it personally.
Examples may include:
An elderly person who is unable to travel or perform the rites.
A person with a chronic illness from which recovery is not reasonably expected and which prevents travel to Makkah or completion of the Umrah.
A person whose continuing physical condition makes travel, Tawaf and Sa‘i beyond their ability.
The mere existence of an illness does not automatically make a person eligible for Umrah Badal. The effect, expected duration and likelihood of recovery must be considered.
Where an illness or injury is temporary, recovery is reasonably expected, or the person can perform Umrah personally with appropriate arrangements and assistance, the person should not automatically be treated as permanently incapacitated.
Evidence from the Prophetic Sunnah
Abu Razin al-‘Uqayli reported that he said to the Prophet ﷺ:
“My father is an elderly man who cannot perform Hajj or Umrah and cannot travel.”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“Perform Hajj on behalf of your father and perform Umrah.”
This hadith is among the clearest evidence permitting Umrah on behalf of a living person whose age or permanent incapacity prevents personal travel and performance.
The hadith of the woman from Khath‘am also reports that she asked the Prophet ﷺ about her elderly father, upon whom Hajj had become obligatory but who could not remain firmly seated on a mount. The Prophet ﷺ permitted her to perform Hajj on his behalf.
These reports establish the general basis of representation in Hajj and Umrah where permanent incapacity exists. Other narrations are relied upon by scholars concerning performance on behalf of the deceased.
Is There Complete Scholarly Consensus?
The general permissibility of representation in Hajj and Umrah for the deceased and permanently incapacitated is recognised by scholars.
However, differences exist concerning some subsidiary issues, including:
Voluntary Umrah on behalf of a living and physically capable person.
Whether the consent of a living beneficiary is required in every circumstance.
The effect of performing Umrah for another person before completing it personally.
Certain forms of voluntary performance on behalf of others.
Errors in identifying the intended beneficiary.
It is therefore more academically accurate to state that the basis of Umrah Badal for the deceased and permanently incapacitated is established, while acknowledging that some conditions and applications remain subject to scholarly detail.
Standards Adopted by Moneeb
Moneeb applies several standards before accepting and assigning an Umrah Badal request.
1. Eligibility of the Beneficiary
The beneficiary must be:
A deceased Muslim.
Or a living Muslim who is permanently unable to perform Umrah because of advanced age or an illness from which recovery is not reasonably expected.
Moneeb does not accept a request for a living and physically capable person merely because the person is busy, finds travel difficult, lacks time, is temporarily unable to afford the journey or has a temporary medical condition.
2. The Performer’s Prior Umrah
Under its adopted policy, Moneeb requires the appointed performer to have previously completed Umrah for himself or herself before accepting an Umrah Badal request.
This standard reflects the position adopted by a number of jurists based on the hadith of Shubrumah concerning Hajj and its application to Umrah.
3. Identifying the Beneficiary at Ihram
When entering Ihram, the performer must intend the Umrah for the person named in the request.
Intention is an act of the heart and does not depend upon verbal declaration. For clarity, it is recommended that the performer say when reciting the Talbiyah:
“Labbayka ‘umratan ‘an [name].”
A clear intention in the heart is sufficient even if the beneficiary’s name is not spoken aloud.
4. Consent of a Living Beneficiary Where Possible
There is scholarly detail concerning whether the consent of a living, permanently incapacitated beneficiary is required in every circumstance.
As a precaution and to protect the beneficiary’s wishes, Moneeb seeks to confirm consent whenever the person is able to understand and express a decision, or to confirm that the person is aware of the request and does not object.
Where the person is unconscious or unable to communicate, the case should be reviewed individually and may require advice from a qualified scholar.
Who Is Not Covered by the Concession?
Under the eligibility position adopted by Moneeb, Umrah Badal is not intended for:
A living person who is physically able to travel and perform the rites.
A person prevented by a temporary condition from which recovery is expected.
A person who appoints someone else merely for convenience or to save time.
A person who is temporarily unable to afford the journey.
A person who can reasonably perform Umrah after treatment or with available assistance.
The concession is connected to death or lasting physical incapacity. It is not an optional substitute for every person who does not wish to travel or currently finds travel difficult.
Is Using a Particular Platform a Condition of Validity?
Using a particular platform or service provider is not a religious condition for the validity of Umrah performed on behalf of another person.
The religious considerations relate to the beneficiary’s eligibility, the performer’s circumstances, the intention and the proper performance of the rites.
An identifiable platform with clear policies may nevertheless assist users by:
Verifying the performer’s identity.
Recording the performer’s declaration that Umrah has previously been completed personally.
Confirming the beneficiary’s identity before Ihram.
Providing request-status tracking.
Documenting observable stages of performance.
Maintaining a clear channel for questions and complaints.
Moneeb’s role is to organise the service, assess outward procedures and follow the performance of the request.
No platform can guarantee the acceptance of an act of worship or the amount of reward granted by Allah.
Conclusion
Umrah Badal is recognised in principle for a deceased Muslim and a living Muslim who is permanently unable to perform Umrah because of advanced age or an illness from which recovery is not reasonably expected.
The concession does not extend to a living and physically capable person merely because travel is difficult, time is limited or a temporary impediment exists.
The observable integrity of the service depends on identifying an eligible beneficiary, appointing a performer who satisfies the platform’s requirements, making a specific intention at Ihram and completing the rites of Umrah.
Acceptance and reward remain with Allah alone.
Religious References
The hadith of Abu Razin al-‘Uqayli: “Perform Hajj on behalf of your father and perform Umrah,” reported by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi and al-Nasa’i.
The hadith of the woman from Khath‘am concerning Hajj on behalf of her elderly father, reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
The published rulings of Sheikh ‘Abdul ‘Aziz ibn Baz concerning Umrah on behalf of the deceased and permanently incapacitated, and intention when entering Ihram on behalf of another person.
Exceptional cases or cases in which permanent incapacity is uncertain should be referred to a qualified scholar.
Religious disclaimer:
This article provides general religious information and summarises the eligibility position adopted by Moneeb for Umrah Badal. It is not a personal fatwa. Some subsidiary rulings may differ according to the circumstances of the individual case and the scholarly position followed.
