Her mother passed away and she wants to perform 'Umrah on her behalf and for herself. Is that permissible, and is supplication better than 'Umrah?

The questioner : Honorable Shaykh, this is a woman who wants to perform 'Umrah for herself. Her mother has passed away, and she wants to transfer this 'Umrah to her deceased mother and for herself. Is that permissible for her?

The Shaykh : First, we say that if she has already performed 'Umrah before and has fulfilled the obligation of 'Umrah, she may dedicate this 'Umrah to her deceased mother. But if she has not performed 'Umrah before, meaning the obligation of 'Umrah has not been dropped, it is not permissible for her to perform 'Umrah on behalf of anyone until she fulfills the obligation. As for the one who told her that she should perform 'Umrah twice, once for herself and once for her mother, in a single journey, his statement is, in our view, incorrect. This is because it is not known from the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) in the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) or after him that they performed 'Umrah twice in a single journey, neither for themselves nor for others. The journey for 'Umrah contains only one 'Umrah, so there are not two 'Umrahs in one journey.

The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : Guide this woman whose mother has died to supplicate to Allah for her during her tawaf, sa'y, and prayer. Supplication is better than 'Umrah, because when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spoke about the cessation of a person's deeds upon death, he said, "or a righteous child who supplicates for him." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not say, "or a righteous child who performs 'Umrah for him," or "or a righteous child who prays two rak'ahs for him," or "or a righteous child who fasts a day for him." He (peace and blessings be upon him) did not say that. He indicated this.
The shift from this to saying "or a righteous child who supplicates for him" is an indication that a person should make righteous deeds for himself and dedicate supplication to his deceased ones. This is because a person himself will need one additional good deed added to his good deeds, or one bad deed removed from his bad deeds. The eagerness of people today to donate the reward of deeds to the deceased is not for the sake of the Salaf. I advise my Muslim brothers to increase their supplication for their deceased, whether mothers, fathers, relatives, or friends, and to make righteous deeds for themselves. This is the guidance of the righteous Salaf. By saying this, I am not saying that it is forbidden for a person to volunteer and dedicate his voluntary act to one of the deceased Muslims. No, I do not say that. But I want the best method that conforms to the guidance of the righteous Salaf (may Allah be pleased with them). In fact, they used to supplicate for their deceased, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught them. As for what is reported from some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) who sought permission from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to give charity for their deceased, such as Sa'd ibn Ubadah who dedicated his spending to his mother, and the man who said, "My mother died suddenly, and if she had been able to speak, she would have given charity. May I give charity on her behalf?" The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) permitted him. This indicates permissibility, but it does not indicate recommendation. If it had been recommended, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would have guided to it and ordered his Ummah to do so.