The ruling on performing 'Umrah on behalf of another and taking money in exchange for it

Question:
Regarding 'Umrah, is it permissible to perform 'Umrah on behalf of another person who has passed away? Is there a difference between someone who has performed 'Umrah before and someone who has not? And is it permissible to take an amount in excess of the costs of 'Umrah?

Answer:
Performing 'Umrah on behalf of another, or Hajj on behalf of another, requires a distinction. If it is an obligatory duty, then yes, one performs 'Umrah on behalf of the deceased who has not performed 'Umrah, and one performs Hajj on behalf of the deceased who has not performed Hajj. As for if the person is alive, if he is unable and cannot perform the Hajj of Islam or the 'Umrah of Islam, and this inability is continuous, then someone acts on his behalf; he himself appoints someone to perform Hajj or 'Umrah on his behalf. However, if it is a voluntary act, no, one does not perform 'Umrah on behalf of a living person as a voluntary act, nor does one perform Hajj on behalf of a living person as a voluntary act; this is only for the obligatory duty. As for taking money, if his intention is the money, then it is not permissible. But if his intention is 'Umrah and Hajj and drawing near to Allah, and he takes the money to help him with the 'Umrah, then there is nothing wrong with it, because one must have money to perform Hajj and 'Umrah; one must have expenses. The criterion is the intention. If his intention is the worldly life, then he is a loser; he has no Hajj and no 'Umrah. But if his intention is worship and he takes the money to help him with the worship, then there is nothing wrong with it.