Many Muslims wonder whether they can perform Umrah on behalf of a parent, relative or another loved one who cannot make the journey themselves. This is sometimes called Badal Umrah, meaning performing Umrah on behalf of another person.
The question can become especially important when a loved one has passed away or when someone is alive but is unable to travel because of old age or a permanent illness.
According to the majority of scholars, performing Umrah on behalf of another person is permitted in certain circumstances. However, there are conditions that should be understood before making the journey or the intention.
This guide explains Umrah on behalf of someone, who it may be performed for, how to make the intention and what you should know before performing it.
Can You Perform Umrah on Behalf of Someone Else?
Yes, scholars generally permit a person to perform Umrah on behalf of another person in certain circumstances.
This can include performing Umrah for someone who has passed away. It can also apply to a living person who is permanently unable to travel because of advanced age or a lasting illness.
However, the detailed rules of Badal Umrah can differ between schools of Islamic jurisprudence. One commonly mentioned condition is that the person performing Umrah on behalf of someone else should have already completed their own required Umrah.
This is why it is important to understand the circumstances of both people before making the intention.
If you are unsure whether Badal Umrah applies to your situation, it is best to ask a qualified scholar from the school of thought you follow.
Can You Perform Umrah for a Deceased Person?
Yes. The majority of scholars permit performing Umrah on behalf of a deceased Muslim.
For example, a person may wish to perform Umrah on behalf of a deceased parent, spouse, relative or another loved one. The person travelling performs the Umrah rituals while intending that the Umrah is being performed on behalf of the deceased person.
This can be a meaningful way for a Muslim to remember and honour someone who has passed away.
A pilgrim may also make sincere dua for the deceased during their journey. Making dua for parents and other loved ones is an important part of remembering them and asking Allah for mercy and forgiveness for them.
You can also read our guide to duas for Umrah for prayers that can be made during the journey.
Can You Perform Umrah for a Living Person?
Under the scholarly positions that permit proxy Umrah, it may also be performed for a living person who is permanently unable to make the journey.
For example, an elderly person may be too weak to travel, or someone may have a lasting illness that makes pilgrimage travel impossible or extremely difficult.
The key point is that the inability should be genuine and lasting according to the relevant fiqh guidance.
A person who is only temporarily sick or unable to travel may not necessarily fall under the same ruling. If there is a reasonable expectation that they will recover and can perform Umrah themselves later, the situation should be discussed with a qualified scholar.
Similarly, being busy, having limited annual leave or simply finding travel inconvenient is not necessarily the same as being permanently unable to travel.
What About Someone Who Can Travel With Help?
This is an important distinction.
If a person is elderly or unwell but could potentially travel with appropriate assistance, the ruling may be different from someone who is permanently unable to travel.
For example, a person who needs a wheelchair or another form of travel assistance may still be physically capable of making the journey with suitable support.
In such a situation, it is better not to automatically assume that another person should perform Umrah on their behalf.
The exact ruling can depend on the person’s health, ability, circumstances and the school of jurisprudence being followed. A qualified scholar can help determine whether proxy Umrah applies.
Do I Need to Complete My Own Umrah First?
A commonly mentioned condition in the discussion of performing Umrah on behalf of another person is that the person performing the proxy pilgrimage should have already performed their own Umrah.
This principle is connected with the well-known hadith concerning a man who was making Hajj on behalf of another person. The Prophet ﷺ instructed him to perform his own Hajj first before performing it on behalf of another.
Scholars use this narration when discussing the principle of performing one’s own pilgrimage before acting on behalf of someone else.
Because the exact application can vary according to the circumstances and the type of pilgrimage, anyone planning Badal Umrah should confirm the requirement with a qualified scholar.
If you have not performed your own Umrah yet, do not assume that you can simply perform someone else’s Umrah first without checking the ruling that applies to you.
How Do You Make the Intention for Umrah on Behalf of Someone?
The intention, or niyyah, should make it clear that you are performing the Umrah on behalf of the particular person.
When entering Ihram, you make the intention for Umrah on behalf of that person.
For example, you may intend in your heart that you are performing this Umrah on behalf of your deceased father, mother or another named person.
You do not need to make the intention complicated. The important thing is that you know who the Umrah is being performed for.
After making the intention and entering Ihram, you perform the Umrah rituals as required.
For more information about entering the state of Ihram, see our guide on how to enter Ihram.
Does the Method of Umrah Change?
No. The basic Umrah rituals do not become different simply because you are performing Umrah on behalf of someone else.
You still perform the required rites of Umrah, including:
- Entering Ihram and making the intention.
- Performing Tawaf around the Kaaba.
- Performing Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.
- Halq or Taqsir, meaning shaving or cutting the hair.
The main difference is the intention behind the Umrah.
When performing your own Umrah, you intend Umrah for yourself. When performing Badal Umrah, you intend the Umrah on behalf of the specific person.
The rituals themselves should still be performed carefully and according to the correct guidance.
Can I Perform Umrah for Both Parents?
A person may wish to perform Umrah for both their mother and father, especially if one or both parents have passed away.
However, one Umrah should not simply be treated as two separate Umrahs for two different people. If you want to perform Umrah on behalf of both parents, ask a qualified scholar about the appropriate way to do this.
In many cases, a person may perform separate Umrahs with a separate intention for different individuals, subject to the applicable fiqh rules.
It is also important to remember that making dua for both parents does not require performing a separate Umrah for each person.
Practical Steps for Badal Umrah
If you are planning to perform Umrah on behalf of someone else, the following checklist can help you prepare:
1. Confirm that proxy Umrah applies
First, understand why the other person cannot perform Umrah themselves. If they are deceased or permanently unable to travel, the scholarly ruling may allow proxy Umrah.
2. Complete your own Umrah first
If you have not yet completed your own required Umrah, check this condition with a qualified scholar before performing Umrah for someone else.
3. Know who you are performing Umrah for
Before entering Ihram, be clear about the person on whose behalf you are performing the pilgrimage.
4. Make the intention
When entering Ihram, make the intention that the Umrah is being performed on behalf of that person.
5. Perform the Umrah correctly
Complete the Umrah rituals just as you would when performing your own Umrah: Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i and Halq or Taqsir.
6. Make dua for the person
Throughout the journey, you can make sincere dua for the person, asking Allah to accept the worship and grant them mercy and blessings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I perform Umrah for my deceased parents?
Yes. The majority of scholars permit performing Umrah on behalf of a deceased person. This can include a deceased parent or another Muslim relative. The person performing the Umrah should follow the relevant conditions and make the intention on behalf of the deceased.
Can I perform Umrah for a living parent?
It may be permitted when the parent is permanently unable to perform the journey because of advanced age or a lasting illness. If the person is capable of travelling with reasonable assistance or may recover later, the ruling can be different. Ask a qualified scholar about the specific situation.
Do I need to have done my own Umrah first?
Scholars commonly mention that a person performing pilgrimage on behalf of another should have completed their own pilgrimage first. This principle is based on the hadith concerning Shubrumah. Because the detailed fiqh application can differ, confirm the requirement with a scholar you trust.
How do I make the intention for Umrah on behalf of someone else?
When entering Ihram, intend that you are performing Umrah on behalf of the specific person. You should be clear in your intention about who the Umrah is for. After that, perform the Umrah rituals according to the normal procedure.
Can I perform Umrah for someone who is temporarily sick?
Not necessarily. Temporary illness is different from permanent inability. If the person may recover and perform Umrah themselves later, proxy Umrah may not apply in the same way. Ask a qualified scholar before making the intention.
Can I perform Umrah on behalf of someone who cannot afford it?
Financial difficulty alone does not automatically mean that another person should perform Umrah on their behalf. The rules concerning proxy Umrah generally focus on situations such as death or permanent inability to perform the pilgrimage. If you are unsure about a particular situation, seek qualified religious guidance.
Is Badal Umrah the same as performing my own Umrah?
No. In your own Umrah, you intend the pilgrimage for yourself. In Badal Umrah, you intend to perform it on behalf of another person who meets the relevant conditions.
Final Thoughts
Performing Umrah on behalf of someone can be a meaningful act for a deceased loved one or for a person who is permanently unable to travel.
The majority of scholars permit proxy Umrah in certain circumstances, but there are conditions that should be understood before you begin. These can include whether the person is deceased or permanently unable to travel and whether the person performing the Umrah has already completed their own pilgrimage.
The basic Umrah rituals remain the same. The important difference is the intention: you perform the Umrah on behalf of the specific person rather than for yourself.
Because the detailed rulings of Badal Umrah can differ between schools of Islamic jurisprudence, it is best to confirm your particular situation with a qualified scholar before travelling.
If you are planning a pilgrimage for yourself or a loved one, explore our Umrah packages.
