If a person is ill with an illness that is expected to end, is it permissible for him to appoint a proxy for Hajj?

The questioner : A man who is able to perform Hajj himself gave someone else to perform it on his behalf. It is said: How is this valid? Is worship a commodity that is bought and sold?

The Shaykh : No, worship is the glorification of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), the love of Him, and drawing near to Him. So either you do it yourself, or you do not appoint another person. This view is closer to the truth, because just as it is not permissible for a person to tell another person, "Perform wudu' for me" or "Pray for me," so it is not permissible to say, "Perform voluntary worship for me." If someone says, "This is a wealthy man who wants to share in the reward of Hajj with people, but he does not want to perform Hajj himself," we say: He should give from his wealth to those who want to perform Hajj. If he assists a pilgrim, he has performed Hajj, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding the one who goes out in jihad: whoever assists him has gone out in jihad. So we say: My brother, the money you are spending, which a person would use to perform Hajj on your behalf, give it to these poor people who have not been able to perform the obligation of Hajj, and that is better for you.