Question

Is it permissible for one to perform ‘Umrah on behalf of one of his relatives who is still alive, whether he is sound or ill?

Fatwa

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.

‘Umrah is either obligatory or non obligatory.

If it is obligatory upon this relative, then it is impermissible to perform it on his behalf unless he has a chronic, incurable illness. In this case, it is permissible that one performs ‘Umrah on his behalf, provided that the deputy pilgrim has already performed the obligatory ‘Umrah for himself. The proof of the permissibility of performing Hajj and ‘Umrah on behalf of a sick person is the hadith narrated by Abu Daawood, An-Nasaa’i and At-Tirmithi, who also classed it as Hasan, in which Abu Razeen, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “O Messenger of Allah, my father is very old, he cannot perform Hajj and ‘Umrah himself nor can he ride on a mount.” He said: “Perform Hajj and ‘Umrah on behalf of your father.”

If it is not obligatory, there is a difference among scholars concerning proxy therein. The majority of them view that it is not permissible.

Allah Knows best.