Fatwa: 519

Category: fatwas about hajj

The guideline concerning performing hajj on someone’s behalf

The question:

Is it permissible to perform hajj on someone’s behalf who was able to perform it but delayed it and neglected its accomplishment until he died?

The answer:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon whom Allah sent as a mercy to the Worlds, upon his Family, his Companions and his Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

Know –May Allah bless you- that it is not permissible to substitute someone who is alive and able, as he is the one required to perform his (religious) duties, by way of a trial and a test for him. Moreover, it is not permissible to perform hajj instead of someone who neglects his religious obligations which are among the pillars of Islam, and who neglects the obligation of performing hajj and lacks willpower, and the one who is alive and able to perform it, but he neglects the obligation of accomplishing it and abandons it deliberately.

However, we perform hajj instead of someone who was financially able ,but unable (as regards his health or other reasons) and who had the intention of going to hajj or someone who died and asked in a will to perform hajj instead of him or he planned to perform hajj but he died before doing it. For such persons, it is permissible to perform hajj instead of them.

Among the conditions of the person who performs hajj instead of someone else, is that he should perform it for himself first, in accordance with the Prophet’s صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم saying, in the hadith of Shubruma, when the Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم heard a man saying: “Labbayka (always ready to obey) on behalf of Shubruma. He صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم asked: “Who is Shubruma?” He replied: “A brother (or relative) of mine.” The Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم asked: “Have you performed hajj on your own behalf?” He said: No. He صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم said: “perform hajj on your own behalf, then perform it on behalf of Shubruma.”(1)

The apparent meaning of the hadith is that it is not permissible to perform hajj on someone’s behalf before performing it for oneself. Though, saying that it is permissible for a person who has not performed hajj for himself to perform hajj instead of someone who has not performed it if he is not able to perform it for himself, is more correct as regards the argumentation. This is the view adopted by Ahmad according to one of the narrations reporting his opinions. This is also the view of Ath-Thauri.

Thus, according to this view, this hadith is to be understood as meaning that the Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم knew that the person who recited Talbiya (2) was able to perform hajj for himself, and if he was not able, he would have apologized to the Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم for not being able to perform it, but this was not reported about him. Nevertheless, it is better to perform hajj for oneself first, then on others behalf.

The perfect knowledge belongs to Allah عزَّ وجلَّ. Our last prayer is all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم, his Family, his Companions and Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

Algiers, Rajab 21st, 1427H.
Corresponding to: August 15th , 2006.



(1) Reported by Abu Dâwûd, chapter of “Rites” (hadith 1811), Ibn Mâjah, chapter of “Rites” (hadith 2903), Ibn Hibbân (hadith 3988), Ibn Khuzayma (hadith 3039), At-Tabarâni in “Al-Mu`jam As-Saghîr” (hadith 613), Al-Bayhaqi (hadith 8766) and Ad-Dâraqutni (hadith 148), on the authority of Ibn `Abbâs رضي الله عنهما. Al-Bayhaqi said in « As-Sunan Al-Kubra » (4/336) : “This chain of narration is the most authentic as regards this question”, furthermore, Ibn Hajar said in “Al-Fath” (12/398): “Its chain of narration is authentic”. Al-Albâni has judged it authentic in “Al-Irwâ'” (hadith 994) and Al-Wâdi`i in “As-Sahîh Al-Musnad” (hadith 629).

(2) Saying Labbaik, Allâhumma Labbaik (O Allah! I am obedient to Your Orders, I respond to Your Call).

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