Performing Hajj for One's Deceased Mother

15-7-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

If your mother is dead, can you perform Hajj for her through somebody who has already performed his? Please tell me more.

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 ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

The Muslim who has already performed his obligatory Hajj can perform Hajj on behalf of someone who cannot perform his/her Hajj due to his death, or aging, or chronic illness when there is very little hope of recovery. There are sound Ahadeeth supporting the above ruling. Ibn ‘Abbas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that a woman from the tribe of Khath'am came to the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! My father has come under Allah's obligation of performing Hajj but he is a very old man and cannot sit properly on his mount. Shall I perform Hajj on his behalf? The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) replied in the affirmative.” [Al-Bukhari]

There is no difference between parents or others concerning this ruling. Ibn ‘Abbas, Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) heard a man saying: "'Labbayk on behalf of Shubrumah.’ He asked: 'Who is Shubrumah'? He replied: 'A brother or relative of mine'. He asked: 'Have you performed Hajj on your own behalf?' He said: ‘No.’ Thereupon, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said to him: ‘Perform Hajj on your own behalf, then perform it on behalf of Shubrumah.” [Abu Dawood and Ibn Maajah]

Therefore, you should know that appointing someone who has already performed his Hajj to perform Hajj on behalf of your dead mother is permissible.

Allah knows best.

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