Is it permissible to perform 'Umrah on behalf of another person if they are alive?

Question:
The questioner asks: Is it permissible to perform 'Umrah on behalf of my father, who is advanced in age? And is there a basis for this in the Sunnah?

Answer:
If your father is unable to perform 'Umrah himself, and he is incapacitated by a permanent condition, and he has lost hope of performing 'Umrah due to his old age or a chronic illness, then there is no harm in performing 'Umrah on his behalf. You may perform 'Umrah for him, and you may perform Hajj for him, because a woman came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, my father has reached the age of the obligatory Hajj, but he is an old man who cannot remain steady on the mount. Should I perform Hajj on his behalf?" He said (peace and blessings be upon him): "Perform Hajj on behalf of your father." So, if his incapacity is permanent, and he has not performed Hajj al-Islam for himself, and he has not performed 'Umrah al-Islam, then perform Hajj for him and perform 'Umrah for him.