Is it permissible to pray on behalf of a deceased person? How is the intention formed? Is it also permissible to perform Hajj on behalf of a deceased person?
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The questioner : Is it permissible to pray on behalf of a deceased person? How is the intention formed? Is it also permissible for us to perform Hajj on behalf of a deceased person? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Praying on behalf of a deceased person is not prescribed, even if it is known that he left off prayer in the hope of recovering, as some ignorant sick people do. A person may be severely ill, making prayer difficult for him, or there may be impurity on his clothes or his bed, and he is unable to purify himself from it. He then delays prayer in the hope of recovering to make up the prayer, but he dies before that happens.
This action is reprehensible. It is obligatory for the sick person to pray according to his condition, even if he is unable to purify his body, his clothes, or his place of prayer. He should pray even if he is in a state of impurity, provided he is unable to remove the impurity that has affected him. It is not permissible for him to delay prayer; rather, he must pray according to his condition, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:[At-Taghabun 64:16].
If it happens that he dies with prayers owed to him, it is not prescribed to make them up, because this has not been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or from the righteous predecessors. However, his family and relatives should increase their seeking of forgiveness and asking Allah the Mighty and Majestic for repentance for this person. The second point?
The questioner : Hajj.
The Shaykh : As for Hajj and fasting, they are made up on behalf of the deceased if he neglected them, meaning he was able to fast but did not fast until he died. This happens frequently, such as when a person is traveling during Ramadan and breaks his fast, then Ramadan ends and he is able to make up the fast, but he dies before making it up. In this case, it is made up on his behalf, based on the hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1147 If his guardian does not fast on his behalf, there is no sin on him, but he must expiate for the deceased by feeding one poor person for every day.
As for Hajj, it is also made up on behalf of the deceased if he neglected performing it, such as if he was able to perform Hajj but neglected it and did not perform it. In that case, it is made up on his behalf.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Praying on behalf of a deceased person is not prescribed, even if it is known that he left off prayer in the hope of recovering, as some ignorant sick people do. A person may be severely ill, making prayer difficult for him, or there may be impurity on his clothes or his bed, and he is unable to purify himself from it. He then delays prayer in the hope of recovering to make up the prayer, but he dies before that happens.
This action is reprehensible. It is obligatory for the sick person to pray according to his condition, even if he is unable to purify his body, his clothes, or his place of prayer. He should pray even if he is in a state of impurity, provided he is unable to remove the impurity that has affected him. It is not permissible for him to delay prayer; rather, he must pray according to his condition, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْIf it happens that he dies with prayers owed to him, it is not prescribed to make them up, because this has not been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or from the righteous predecessors. However, his family and relatives should increase their seeking of forgiveness and asking Allah the Mighty and Majestic for repentance for this person. The second point?
The questioner : Hajj.
The Shaykh : As for Hajj and fasting, they are made up on behalf of the deceased if he neglected them, meaning he was able to fast but did not fast until he died. This happens frequently, such as when a person is traveling during Ramadan and breaks his fast, then Ramadan ends and he is able to make up the fast, but he dies before making it up. In this case, it is made up on his behalf, based on the hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: If anyone dies in a state (that he had to complete) some fasts, his heir must fast on his behalf.
من مات وعليه صيام صام عنه وليهAs for Hajj, it is also made up on behalf of the deceased if he neglected performing it, such as if he was able to perform Hajj but neglected it and did not perform it. In that case, it is made up on his behalf.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.