Does the mother take precedence over the father in performing Hajj on their behalf?

Question: My father passed away five years ago, and my mother passed away two years after him, before they had performed the obligatory Hajj. I wish to perform Hajj on their behalf myself. I heard some people say: "You must perform Hajj for your mother first, because her right is greater than the father's." Others say: "Perform Hajj for your father first, because he died before your mother." I am confused about whom to prioritize. Please clarify this for us, may Allah reward you.

Answer: Your performing Hajj on their behalf is part of the dutifulness to parents that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has prescribed . It is not obligatory upon you, but it is prescribed for you, recommended, and emphasized; because it is part of being dutiful to them. As the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the authentic hadith when a man asked him: "Is there any dutifulness to my parents remaining by which I can be dutiful to them?" He said: .
The point is that being dutiful to them after their death includes performing Hajj on their behalf. It is established that a woman asked him (peace and blessings be upon him), saying: "O Messenger of Allah, my father has reached the age of the obligation of Hajj upon Allah's servants, but he is an old man who cannot stay on the mount. Should I perform Hajj on his behalf?" He said: . Another man asked him about his father, saying: "He cannot stay on the mount, and he is unable to perform Hajj or travel. Should I perform Hajj and 'Umrah on his behalf?" He said (peace and blessings be upon him): .
So what is prescribed for you, my brother, is to perform Hajj for both of them, and to perform 'Umrah for both of them. As for prioritizing, you may prioritize whomever you wish. If you wish, prioritize the mother, and if you wish, prioritize the father. The better option is to prioritize the mother; because her right is greater and more significant, even if she died later. Prioritizing her is more appropriate and better; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: "O Messenger of Allah, who is most deserving of my good companionship?" He said: . He said: "Then who?" He said: . He said: "Then who?" He said: . He said: "Then who?" He said: , mentioning her for the fourth time.
In another wording, he (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: "O Messenger of Allah, who is most deserving of my good companionship?" He said: . He said: "Then who?" He said: . He said: "Then who?" He said: . He said: "Then who?" He said: . This indicates that her right is greater and more significant. So the better option is to start with her, then perform Hajj for your father afterwards, and you will be rewarded for that. If you start with the father, there is no blame on you.