FAQs about Badal Hajj & Umrah

Answering the most important questions about performing ibadah via proxy.

While Hajj Badal allows someone to perform Hajj on behalf of a deceased or critically ill person, it is only applicable if the person was financially capable and obligated to perform Hajj during their lifetime but was unable to fulfill it. If the person never had the financial or physical capacity during their lifetime, Hajj Badal is not required.

The individual performing Hajj Badal must make a specific niyyah (intention) before starting the pilgrimage that they are doing it on behalf of the deceased or the person who is unable to perform Hajj themselves. This intention is essential for the act to be valid, and it distinguishes it from their own Hajj.

A person can perform Hajj Badal for more than one individual over their lifetime, but only one person’s Hajj can be performed in a single pilgrimage. Each time a Hajj is performed on behalf of someone, it must be for one individual only.

In Islamic tradition, it is recommended to choose a person who is devout and has knowledge of Hajj rituals to perform Hajj Badal. This ensures that the pilgrimage is done with sincerity and in compliance with Islamic principles.

If someone is physically and financially able to perform Hajj, but they have simply delayed or postponed it, they cannot delegate someone to perform Hajj Badal on their behalf. It is only applicable for those who are deceased or permanently unable to make the journey due to chronic illness or other valid reasons.

Before performing Hajj Badal on behalf of someone, all their debts must be cleared. If the deceased had outstanding debts and no wealth was left to pay them, Hajj Badal is not obligatory. Clearing debts takes precedence over Hajj, as fulfilling financial obligations is a significant aspect of Islamic law.

• For a deceased person, Hajj Badal is typically performed from the wealth they left behind, and the family may arrange for it

• For someone who is critically ill and unlikely to recover, Hajj Badal can be performed even during their lifetime if they are unable to physically go themselves. However, this is usually done when their condition is such that there is no hope of recovery.

As long as the person performing the Hajj Badal has completed their own Hajj and meets the necessary conditions, there is no age restriction. It can be done by a person of any age, but they should be mature, responsible, and have a proper understanding of the Hajj rituals.

The one who performs Hajj Badal on behalf of another will receive a reward from Allah for completing the pilgrimage, and the one for whom it is performed will also receive the reward of having completed their Hajj. This is an act of immense reward and carries significant spiritual benefits for both parties.

Both men and women can perform Hajj Badal, as long as they have fulfilled the requirement of performing their own Hajj first. There are no gender-specific rulings that would prevent someone from being chosen to perform this sacred duty for another individual.

• Hajj Badal for the deceased is often referred to as Hajj ‘an al-mayyit.

• Hajj Badal for the living is referred to as Hajj ‘an al-hayy.

Some Islamic scholars hold differing views on Hajj Badal. For instance, certain scholars from the Maliki school of thought do not recognize Hajj Badal for the deceased, stating that the obligation of Hajj was tied to the individual, and if they did not fulfill it, no one else can. However, the majority of scholars from other schools (Hanafi, Shafi’i, and Hanbali) agree that Hajj Badal is valid based on the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).