Is it permissible to perform 'Umrah on behalf of deceased parents?
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The questioner : Honorable Shaykh, is it permissible for me to perform 'Umrah on behalf of my deceased father or mother?
The Shaykh : If it is an independent 'Umrah, there is nothing wrong with it. That is, he performs the 'Umrah for his father or mother from his own country. However, repeating the 'Umrah in a single journey for his father, mother, grandfather, or grandmother is a bid'ah (religious innovation), because we do not know that anyone did it. If it had been a good thing, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would have done it. Since they did not do it, we know that it is not part of the Shari'ah of Allah. Praise be to Allah, matters are facilitated now; a person can perform an independent 'Umrah for his father or mother. Nevertheless, I say that the best thing is to make du'a' (supplication) for his parents, for du'a' for his parents is better than 'Umrah and better than charity. The evidence for this is the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Riyad as-Salihin 1383
The Shaykh : If it is an independent 'Umrah, there is nothing wrong with it. That is, he performs the 'Umrah for his father or mother from his own country. However, repeating the 'Umrah in a single journey for his father, mother, grandfather, or grandmother is a bid'ah (religious innovation), because we do not know that anyone did it. If it had been a good thing, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would have done it. Since they did not do it, we know that it is not part of the Shari'ah of Allah. Praise be to Allah, matters are facilitated now; a person can perform an independent 'Umrah for his father or mother. Nevertheless, I say that the best thing is to make du'a' (supplication) for his parents, for du'a' for his parents is better than 'Umrah and better than charity. The evidence for this is the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased).
إذا مات الإنسان انقضى عمله إلا من ثلاث صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له
Source
دروس وفتاوى المسجد الحرام لعام 1421هـ - 3 — binothaimeen.net (3:50)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.