When is it permissible to perform Hajj and 'Umrah on behalf of the living?

Question:
Shaykh, is it obligatory to seek permission from living parents in order to perform 'Umrah or Hajj on their behalf? I mean 'Umrah and Hajj.

Answer:
Acting as a proxy for 'Umrah and Hajj is only for the one who is unable to perform them due to a permanent inability, such as a chronically ill person who is not expected to recover, or an elderly person who is unable to travel. One may act as a proxy for him or appoint someone to perform Hajj and 'Umrah on his behalf—Hajj al-Islam and 'Umrah al-Islam. This is what applies to the living person. As for the deceased, he is performed Hajj and 'Umrah for, if it was an obligation. If it was a voluntary act, it is a voluntary act for him; because he is unable to perform 'Umrah and Hajj, so Hajj and 'Umrah are performed for him as an addition to his reward. Yes.