Yes, it is permissible to offer Umrah for someone else. But it does have its own rules and conditions. If someone is deceased or alive but unwell, or physically unable to perform a pilgrimage, you can perform Umrah for them.
For an able person who is physically and financially stable, Hajj and Umrah are religious duties that must be completed in one’s lifetime. Financial stability means being able to pay for all; transport, accommodation food, etc. Someone who is physically able means he is in good health and can take care of himself from the time of booking to the time of arrival in Makkah.
When a person isn’t physically and financially capable of doing Hajj or Umrah himself, then the one doing it on their behalf should make the intention for their name when entering the state of Ihram. And then after this, he/she should do all the rituals with the intention of another person.
Can I Perform Umrah For Someone Who Is No More?
It is religiously acceptable to perform Umrah for someone who is not alive, but you must done your Umrah first. Even some pilgrims are also allowed to do an additional Umrah after Hajj to mourn over the passing of a loved one. Islamic scholars agree on the following for Umrah on behalf of others:
- If the individual is unable to perform it due to any valid reason (illness or old age)
- If one is deceased and never had chance to go for
If Umrah on behalf of someone else, then you should start by saying Labbayka Umrat’an and then the name of the person you want to do Umrah for. If you don’t remember their name, then just say, “I am here in place of the one I intend in my heart.” Of course, Allah SWT knows who this person is.
It was narrated from Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) heard a man saying: “O Allah! I am here in response to your call on behalf of Shubrumah. The Messenger (ﷺ) of Allah said: Who is Shubrumah? The man said: A relative of mine. The Prophet (ﷺ) then asked: Have you ever performed your own Hajj? The man replied: No. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Then make this for yourself then perform Hajj on behalf of Shubrumah.” – Sunan Ibn Majah 2903 (in-book 25, Hadith 22)
Now, it’s clear from this Hadith that you must perform your own Hajj or Umrah first, and then you can do for someone else’s behalf.
Can I Perform Umrah For My Mother & Father?
It becomes possible for Umrah to be performed in the place of your parents if they are suffering from chronic illness or any physically weakness to perform Umrah or have passed away.
It was narrated from Abu Razin that He said: “O Messenger of Allah! My father is an old man and he cannot perform Hajj or Umrah, nor he can travel. Prophet (ﷺ) said: Perform Hajj and Umrah on behalf of your father.” – Sunan an-Nasa’i 2621 (in-book 24, Hadith 3)
But if your parents are financially unable to go for Umrah, in this case, you can’t do Umrah for them. Instead, you should ask them to come for the Umrah (you’ll pay for their expenses).
Can I Perform Umrah For More Than One Person?
Yes, but not at the same time. Umrah can be done by only one person at a time. This means that you cannot do Umrah for more than one person at a time or single intention. To do Umrah for multiple’s behalf, you must perform separate intention for each individual. After completing one Umrah and exiting Ihram, one should begin the second by going to the nearest Miqat point. However, pilgrims should focus on quality and sincerity, not quantity. Don’t overburden yourself by trying to do many Umrah quickly.
Can I Also Perform Hajj For Someone Else?
Umrah is a Nafl act but Hajj is obligatory (for those Muslims who are physically and financially able). However, when asked if one can perform Hajj on behalf of someone else, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned two scenarios in which performing major pilgrimage on behalf of others is allowed:
- Narrated by Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (RA):
“A man said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! My father has died and he did not perform Hajj; shall I perform Hajj on his behalf?’ Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Don’t you think that if your father owed a debt you would pay it off?’ The man said: ‘Yes.’ Prophet ﷺ said: ‘The debt owed to Allah is more deserving (of being paid off)’.” – Sunan an-Nasa’i 2639 (in-book 24, Hadith 21)
- Narrated by Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (RA):
“Al-Fadl Ibn ‘Abbas (His brother) was riding behind Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and a woman from the tribe of Khath’am approached them with a question. The woman said: ‘O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! The obligation of Hajj enjoined by Allah on His devotees has become due on my father and he is old and weak, and he cannot sit firm on the Mount; may I perform Hajj on his behalf?’ The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: ‘Yes, you may.’”, this happened during the farewell pilgrimage of the Prophet (ﷺ). – Sahih al-Bukhari 1513 (in-book 25, Hadith 1)
Conclusion
Umrah is a non-mandatory religious obligation and a beautiful Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Millions of Muslims take this pilgrimage towards Makkah, every year. Islam doesn’t permit to do Umrah or Hajj in the name of anybody living.
In this case, if the person is suffering from sickness or the person has died, then somebody else can perform Umrah or Hajj on behalf of that person.
