What is the ruling on performing 'Umrah on behalf of another person?
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The questioner : My next question is about 'Umrah for those who are unable to perform it due to their circumstances. Is it permissible to perform 'Umrah on behalf of a specific person, or is this not established?
The Shaykh : I mean, your phrase "it is performed" can be interpreted in several ways, so clarification is necessary. For example, you were unable to go to perform Hajj for a reason, or to perform 'Umrah, so I performed 'Umrah on your behalf. That is one scenario. A second scenario is that you are asking me, "Please, cover the cost of the trip and the hotel or residence, etc., but perform 'Umrah for me, because I am not able to." If your question means the latter, then it is permissible. If it means the former, then it is not permissible.
The questioner : And if it is a daughter performing on behalf of her mother, where the daughter is there and the mother is here?
The Shaykh : It is permissible.
The questioner : Permissible?
The Shaykh : Yes, that is right.
Al-Halabi : On the condition of inability, O Shaykh?
The questioner : On the condition of inability, or even if she is able?
The Shaykh : If you are sticking to your question, he has done nothing wrong. If you are sticking to your question regarding 'Umrah, then 'Umrah is not obligatory except in the context of Hajj. So if you are sticking to your question, then the daughter may volunteer to perform 'Umrah on behalf of her mother and her father, exactly like a son. But as for Hajj, which is an obligatory duty, it is not permissible [to perform it on behalf of another] unless the person was absolutely unable to perform it, not just due to temporary circumstances.
The questioner : In the first case, the temporary circumstances do not exist. Also, if the son is there and the father is here, and he says, "I want to perform 'Umrah on your behalf" or "I will gift you an 'Umrah," is that permissible?
The Shaykh : We did not say this is permissible specifically for a son. Whether it is a male or a female, this is permissible in voluntary acts. But in obligatory acts, it is not permissible.
The Shaykh : I mean, your phrase "it is performed" can be interpreted in several ways, so clarification is necessary. For example, you were unable to go to perform Hajj for a reason, or to perform 'Umrah, so I performed 'Umrah on your behalf. That is one scenario. A second scenario is that you are asking me, "Please, cover the cost of the trip and the hotel or residence, etc., but perform 'Umrah for me, because I am not able to." If your question means the latter, then it is permissible. If it means the former, then it is not permissible.
The questioner : And if it is a daughter performing on behalf of her mother, where the daughter is there and the mother is here?
The Shaykh : It is permissible.
The questioner : Permissible?
The Shaykh : Yes, that is right.
Al-Halabi : On the condition of inability, O Shaykh?
The questioner : On the condition of inability, or even if she is able?
The Shaykh : If you are sticking to your question, he has done nothing wrong. If you are sticking to your question regarding 'Umrah, then 'Umrah is not obligatory except in the context of Hajj. So if you are sticking to your question, then the daughter may volunteer to perform 'Umrah on behalf of her mother and her father, exactly like a son. But as for Hajj, which is an obligatory duty, it is not permissible [to perform it on behalf of another] unless the person was absolutely unable to perform it, not just due to temporary circumstances.
The questioner : In the first case, the temporary circumstances do not exist. Also, if the son is there and the father is here, and he says, "I want to perform 'Umrah on your behalf" or "I will gift you an 'Umrah," is that permissible?
The Shaykh : We did not say this is permissible specifically for a son. Whether it is a male or a female, this is permissible in voluntary acts. But in obligatory acts, it is not permissible.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.