Ruling on performing several ‘Umrahs on behalf of a dead person in the same season

23-9-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

When a son performs ‘Umrah on behalf of his dead father, returns to his homeland, and then wants to perform another ‘Umrah, again for his dead father, given that the interval between the two ‘Umrahs is only one week. Is there anything wrong with that?

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Answer:

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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

According to the correct opinion of Muslim scholars, there is nothing wrong with performing ‘Umrah more than once during the same year. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "(The performance of) ‘Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed in the interval between it and the previous ‘Umrah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Some scholars, such as Imaam Maalik, may AllaAh have mercy upon him, held that it is disliked to perform more than one ‘Umrah per year. However, the first opinion is the correct one. Hence, there is nothing wrong in performing ‘Umrah more than once  per year for the questioner's dead father. It is recommended for the person to perform ‘Umrah for himself because he is in need for (performing) righteous deeds and may dedicate the rewards of charities and supplications to the deceased.  The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, guided us to the deeds that benefit the dead and do not bring about any harm upon the living, as he said: "When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous descendant who supplicates for him (for the deceased)." [Muslim and At-Tirmithi; the wording is the latter's]

Allah Knows best.