The Ruling on Performing 'Umrah on Behalf of Another and the Superiority of Remaining in Makkah

The questioner:
As for me, performing 'Umrah on behalf of another is an act that is not [permissible]. May Allah reward you, Shaykh Salih.

The Shaykh:
Performing 'Umrah on behalf of another is like performing it for oneself. Just as he performs it for himself, he performs it for another by entering the state of ihram from the miqat or from the non-sacred area, and performing the rites of 'Umrah. The intention at the time of entering ihram is on behalf of that other person. Thus, the tawaf, sa'y, shaving, and shortening of hair—all the rites of 'Umrah—are intended on behalf of that other person.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good. He is coming from Jordan and performed 'Umrah for himself. He wants to perform 'Umrah for another person. Does the previous statement apply to this case as well?

The Shaykh:
Yes, it applies. If he is inside Makkah, he should not go out to bring an 'Umrah, neither for himself nor for another. Rather, he should remain in Makkah and worship Allah in Makkah, which is better for him than performing 'Umrah.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good, even though the people's practice is different from this, on the day of a righteous person?

The Shaykh:
Yes, many of the people.

The presenter:
A great many of them.

The Shaykh:
When they come to Makkah and perform the rites of Hajj or 'Umrah, they consider their presence in Makkah and they perform many 'Umrahs on behalf of so-and-so, and so-and-so, and so-and-so. This is contrary to what is best.