Is it better to perform Hajj on behalf of a deceased mother or to make du'a for her?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Your Eminence, a woman wishes to perform Hajj on behalf of her deceased mother, knowing that her mother had already performed the obligatory Hajj. What is better: that she perform Hajj and make du'a for her, or that she perform Hajj on her behalf?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is better for her to perform Hajj for herself and make du'a for her mother. This is because when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1376Sahih (Darussalam), he specified these three things, saying: Sahih Muslim 1631. He did not say: "or a righteous son who performs Hajj for him, or fasts for him, or gives charity for him, or prays for him." So if someone asks us: Which is better, that I pray and dedicate the reward to my father? Or that I give charity and dedicate the reward to my father? Or that I perform Hajj and dedicate the reward to my father? Or that I make du'a for my father?
We say: The best is the last one, that you make du'a for your father. Because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is more knowledgeable than us, more sincere in advice than us, and more eloquent than us. He did not say: "When a person dies, his deeds are cut off except for three: ongoing charity, or knowledge from which benefit is derived, or a righteous son who works for him." Rather, he said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1376Sahih (Darussalam). This is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) guided us to. Yes.
Your Eminence, a woman wishes to perform Hajj on behalf of her deceased mother, knowing that her mother had already performed the obligatory Hajj. What is better: that she perform Hajj and make du'a for her, or that she perform Hajj on her behalf?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is better for her to perform Hajj for herself and make du'a for her mother. This is because when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
When a person dies, his deeds are cut off except for three
إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عمله إلاّ من ثلاثrecurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious child, who prays for him
صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو لهWe say: The best is the last one, that you make du'a for your father. Because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is more knowledgeable than us, more sincere in advice than us, and more eloquent than us. He did not say: "When a person dies, his deeds are cut off except for three: ongoing charity, or knowledge from which benefit is derived, or a righteous son who works for him." Rather, he said: