What is the ruling on performing hajj on behalf of someone who passed away while being financially and physically able to perform it? Is it permissible to perform hajj on their behalf from funds provided by a third party? A man in his forties passed away due to cancer, leaving behind a wife and young children. Although he was able to perform hajj, he did not do so. After he passed away, one of his sisters performed hajj on his behalf from her own funds, choosing to leave his estate for his underage children. Is this permissible?

It is permissible in Islamic law to perform hajj on behalf of a deceased person, as hajj is an act of worship that allows deputation, whether for compensation or without it. It is required that the one performing hajj on behalf of a deceased person has already performed their own obligatory hajj.

The obligation of hajj

Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam. Allah Almighty says,
“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds” (Quran, 3:97).
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also said,
“Islam is built upon five [pillars]: the testimony that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, giving zakat, performing hajj, and fasting Ramadan” (Bukhari and Muslim).

One of the conditions for hajj being obligatory is istita‘a (ability), as stated in both the Quran and the authentic sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), which clarifies that this ability is not limited to financial capacity alone but extends to include physical ability, safety of the route, and other considerations. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“Whoever possesses provisions and a means to reach the House of Allah and does not perform hajj, let him die as a Jew or a Christian” (al-Tirmidhi).

Hajj is one of the acts of worship in which deputation is permitted. Amr Ibn Aws narrated from Abu Razin al-‘Uqayli (may Allah be pleased with him), that he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said,
“O Messenger of Allah, my father is an old man who cannot perform hajj, ‘umrah, or travel.” The Prophet replied, “Perform hajj and ‘umrah on behalf of your father” (Tirmidhi).

It is a condition for whoever performs hajj on behalf of another must to have first performed their own obligatory. This is based on the hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) who narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once heard a man saying,
“Labbayka ‘an Shubrumah (Here I am, O Allah, on behalf of Shubrumah).”
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, “Who is Shubrumah?” The man replied, “A brother of mine or a relative.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then asked, “Have you performed hajj for yourself?”
The man replied, “No.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Perform hajj for yourself, then for Shubrumah” (Tirmidhi). It is important to note that hajj is an obligation that may be deferred, as it is not required to be performed immediately upon meeting its the conditions.

 

The ruling
If the sister of the deceased performed hajj from her own funds on behalf of her late brother who had the means to perform it but did do so, then this is permissible and considered a righteous deed for which she will be rewarded by the will of Allah the Almighty. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“When a person dies, all their deeds come to an end except for three: a continuous charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who supplicates for them” (Tirmidhi).

And Allah the Almighty knows best.