Umrah is the sacred journey to the House of Allah called Haram Shareef of Masjid Al-Haram. Umrah is not Obligatory just like Hajj under different conditions but consider as the shorter form of Hajj and also known as Minor Pilgrimage. Performing Umrah using Umrah Packages All-inclusive on behalf of others is called “Umrah Al-Badal”. There is only one condition in which you can perform Umrah Al-Badal for a relative or friend.
- The person who is performing Umrah Al-Badal needs to perform Umrah for himself/herself first.
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) was performing Hajj and He heard someone saying “Ya Allah (S.W.T) I make intentions for Hajj on behave of Shubrumah (His Brother)”. So He asked him did you do Hajj for yourself. That person replied, “No”. He told him to perform Hajj for yourself then you can perform Hajj for your brother. Please note that the same rules apply for Hajj Al-Badal and Umrah Al-Badal.
Usually, people perform Hajj/Umrah Al-Badal for those who are deceased but some people perform Hajj/Umrah for those who are still alive.
Can I perform Umrah for someone who is still alive?
You are only allowed to perform Umrah Al-Badal if that person is unable to perform it because of his/her health conditions or maybe aids. So, they can’t travel because of illness and other health issues. They are too old to travel. And they can’t afford the expenses of Umrah. But if they don’t have those issues, they are too busy to travel and they are delaying it to perform later. Then you can’t perform it for them.
A lady once Asked Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) about her father who is obliged to do Hajj but unable to perform it because he is unable to travel on the back of Camel. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) granted permission.
Some people perform multiple Umrah in a single visit to Makkah Mukaramah.
Can I perform multiple Umrah in a single Journey?
There are two different opinions of Ulama (Islamic Scholars) in Sharia (Islamic Law) regarding this question.
- You can perform multiple Umrah by just simply going outside the confines of Makkah Mukarmah and staying in the area of Tan’eem and once you are free of menstrual, come back in a state of Ihram and perform your Tawaf.
Hazrat Aisha (R.A) went to Hajj with Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W.W), she was unable to perform Umrah. When then were leaving she asked to perform Umrah like everybody else. He asked her brother to take her out of the Masjid Al-Haram territory of Makkah Mukarmah. She made her intention and came back and perform Umrah.
- You need to return home and make another journey for another Umrah.
There is a narration from Umar Ibn Al-Khattab to make a separate journey for separate Umrah.
Most of the Ulama agree on the first opinion as the second opinion is based on narration whose authentication is not valid.
Can I perform Umrah for my Father/Mother who passed away?
My Fathers biggest wish was to perform Umrah but he died without fulfilling this wish?
You can perform Umrah on his behalf only if you performed it first for yourself. If you haven’t performed Umrah for yourself then you have to perform it for yourself then for him. This can be done in a single journey to Makkah Mukaramah, you don’t have to travel separately for you and him. He will get the same rewards as promised for someone who performs Umrah for himself.
A woman came to ask Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) to perform Hajj for her mother who has passed and wished to perform Hajj. He said, “Perform Hajj on her behave”. Narrated by Muslim, 1149
Does gender restriction in perform Umrah Al-Badal?
A man should perform Umrah Al-Badal for their Father, Brother, and Grandfather i.e. for Man only. Women can perform Umrah Al-Badal for Mother, Sister, and Grandmother i.e. for women only. So, you can’t perform Umrah Al-Badal for the opposite gender, it must be performed by the same gender. There is enough evidence to prove this from the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W). Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah, 11/52
Can I appoint someone else to perform Umrah for my Father?
Keeping in mind above basic rules to perform Umrah for someone else’s behave you can appoint someone to perform Umrah for your Father. It can be your relative who has the experience and enough knowledge about this matter. His intention must be pure and free of earning extra money from you. You can also choose someone from any Hajj and Travel Agencies who have special people to perform Umrah Al-Badal. Several agencies offer this service and rates are equal to expenses of regular Umrah.
Can someone intend to earn Money Umrah Al-Badal?
Umrah is a sacred act if anyone intends to fulfill worldly desires rather than pleasing Allah (S.W.T), seeking forgiveness and earn paradise then Umrah is not acceptable. It is haram to earn Money from Umrah Al-Badal. It is unfortunate for some to earn money from Umrah Al-Badal. Those who have those intentions will burn in Hell and their deeds are in vain due to their worldly desires. These interpretations are concluded from the verses of the Quran [Hood 11:15-16] and [al-Baqarah 2:200].
So anyone who is performing Umrah Al-Badal should be free of worldly desires and his aim is to please Allah (S.A.W.W) and help his brother in need. Money that is left from the expenses of Umrah should be returned to the owner who asked for Umrah Al-Badal.
Ad-Diya’ al-Laami‘ min al-Khutab al-Jawaami‘, 2/477, 478
It is suggested to contact the Muslim Scholars but in other case you can contact experienced agents of any Trusted Hajj Umrah Travel Agency in UK. Alhijaz Travel’s agents can guide you in detail about the matters of Hajj and Umrah.
