Umrah Badal (Proxy Umrah): Complete Guide to Performing Umrah on Behalf of Others

Performing Umrah is one of the most spiritually uplifting acts a Muslim can experience. It is a journey of devotion, purification, and closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). But what happens when someone is unable to perform Umrah due to illness, old age, or death?

Islam, in its mercy, has provided a beautiful alternative: Umrah Badal, also known as Proxy Umrah. Whether you’re performing Umrah for your late parents, elderly relatives, or someone unable to travel, this guide explains everything you need to know about Umrah Badal, its Islamic rulings, step-by-step process, and how to arrange it through trusted services like KSA Travels  offering Umrah packages from Pakistan and for Muslims worldwide.

What Is Umrah Badal?

Umrah Badal (عُمرة البَدَل) literally means “substitute Umrah.” It refers to performing the pilgrimage on behalf of another person who cannot do it themselves.

The Arabic word “Badal” means “replacement” or “in lieu of.” When someone performs Umrah Badal, they act as a substitute (na’ib) for another Muslim who is physically or permanently unable to travel to Makkah.

Examples:

• Performing Umrah for an elderly parent who cannot travel
• Performing Umrah for a deceased relative who never had the opportunity
• Performing Umrah for someone with a permanent disability or chronic illness

Islamic Evidence for Umrah Badal

Umrah Badal is permissible and supported by authentic Hadiths from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Primary Evidence

A woman from the Juhaina tribe came to the Prophet ﷺ and said:

“My mother had vowed to perform Hajj but died before fulfilling it. Can I perform Hajj on her behalf?”

The Prophet ﷺ replied:

“Yes, perform Hajj on her behalf. If your mother had a debt, would you not pay it? Fulfill Allah’s right, for His right is more deserving of being fulfilled.”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari (1852) and Sahih Muslim (1337)

Additional Evidence

In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ told a man:

“Perform Hajj and Umrah on behalf of your father.”

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood (1810) and Sunan an-Nasa’i (2621)

Scholarly Consensus

Islamic scholars from all four major schools of thought (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali) unanimously agree that Hajj and Umrah Badal are valid when the person performing them has already completed their own pilgrimage.

Notable scholars who have affirmed this ruling include:

• Imam Ibn Baz
• Imam Ibn Uthaymeen
• Imam An-Nawawi
• The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatwas

When Is Umrah Badal Permissible?

You can perform Umrah on behalf of another person in the following situations:

1. For the Deceased

Performing Umrah Badal for deceased parents or relatives is one of the best forms of Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity). The rewards continue to benefit them in the Hereafter.

2. For the Permanently Ill or Elderly

When a person is physically incapable of travel due to old age, chronic illness, or disability, another Muslim may perform Umrah on their behalf.

3. For Those Mentally or Physically Unable

This includes individuals with severe disabilities or cognitive impairments that prevent them from performing the rituals.

Important Note

If someone is merely unable financially but is physically capable, Umrah is not obligatory for them until they have the means. In such cases, Umrah Badal is not applicable.

The Intention (Niyyah) for Umrah Badal

The intention (Niyyah) is the foundation of every act of worship in Islam. For Umrah Badal, the performer must intend in their heart to perform Umrah on behalf of a specific person.

Example of Niyyah

In Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ عَنْ [اسم الشخص] فَيَسِّرْهَا لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي

Transliteration:

Allahumma inni urīdu al-‘umrata ‘an [Name], fa yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī.

Translation:

“O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah on behalf of [Name]. Make it easy for me and accept it from me.”

Key Points About Niyyah

• The intention must be made before entering the state of Ihram
• You must specify the person’s name in your heart
• If performing through a service, provide the person’s name to the authorized representative

How to Perform Umrah Badal: Step-by-Step Guide

Umrah Badal follows the same rituals as regular Umrah, with the key difference being the intention made on behalf of someone else.

Quick Reference Table

Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Niyyah (Intention)

Before entering Ihram, the performer must make a clear intention and say:

“Labbaik Umrah’an ‘an [Name of the person]”

Translation: “Here I am, O Allah, performing Umrah on behalf of [name].”

This verbal intention distinguishes the Umrah as being performed for someone else rather than for yourself. It is essential to specify the person’s name clearly in your intention.

Step 2: Enter the State of Ihram

• Perform Ghusl (ritual purification bath)
• Wear Ihram garments:
  • Men: Two white unstitched cloths (izar and rida)
  • Women: Modest attire covering the body (any color, but white is preferred)
• Pray two Rak’ahs of Sunnah prayer before entering Ihram
• Recite the Talbiyah after making your intention:

“Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la shareeka lak”

(Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Indeed all praise, favor, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.)

Step 3: Perform Tawaf (Circumambulation of the Kaaba)

• Proceed to Masjid al-Haram with humility
• Enter the mosque with your right foot, saying:

“Allahumma aftah li abwaba rahmatik” (O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy)

• Circumambulate the Kaaba seven times, starting and ending at the Black Stone (Hajr al-Aswad)
• If possible, touch or point toward the Black Stone while saying “Allahu Akbar”
• Complete the rounds in a counterclockwise direction
• Recite duas and dhikr while maintaining humility and focus
• After finishing Tawaf, pray two Rak’ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible, or anywhere in the Haram

Step 4: Perform Sa’i (Walking Between Safa and Marwah)

• Proceed to Mount Safa and recite:

“Inna as-Safa wal-Marwah min sha’a’irillah” (Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah) – Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:158

• Walk seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, beginning at Safa and ending at Marwah
• Men should walk briskly between the green markers (called Raml or Ramal)
• Reflect on the devotion of Hajar (AS), who ran between these hills in search of water for Prophet Ismail (AS)
• Recite supplications and dhikr throughout

Step 5: Shaving or Trimming the Hair (Halq or Taqsir)

• Men: Shave the head completely (Halq) or trim the hair (Taqsir). Shaving is more virtuous.
• Women: Cut a small portion of hair from the end (about an inch or a fingertip’s length)

After this step, the Umrah Badal is complete.

Throughout these rituals, keep the person you are representing in your heart and make sincere du’a for them, asking Allah to accept the Umrah on their behalf.

Who Can Perform Umrah Badal?

Islam establishes specific conditions for the person performing Umrah Badal:

Essential Conditions

1. Must be a Muslim of sound mind and mature age
2. Must have performed Umrah for themselves first – You cannot perform Umrah for another person before fulfilling your own obligation
3. Must have proper knowledge of the Umrah rituals and requirements
4. Must have sincere intention and devotion
5. Must perform it personally – You cannot delegate the actual performance to someone else after accepting the responsibility

Important Reminder

The person performing Umrah Badal should be trustworthy, practicing, and experienced in the rituals. If you cannot travel personally, you may arrange for a qualified individual to perform it, but ensure they meet all the conditions above.

Rewards and Benefits of Umrah Badal

1. Spiritual Reward for Both Parties

The reward of Umrah reaches the person on whose behalf it is performed, while the performer also earns blessings for their effort, sincerity, and sacrifice.

2. Sadaqah Jariyah (Ongoing Charity)

When performed for deceased relatives, Umrah Badal serves as a continuous charity. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: a continuing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for them.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim (1631)

3. Expiation of Sins

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The performance of Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous Umrah.”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari (1773) and Sahih Muslim (1349)

4. Honoring and Serving Parents

One of the greatest ways to honor your parents, especially after their death, is by performing Umrah or Hajj on their behalf. This fulfills the duty of birr al-walidayn (righteousness toward parents) that continues even after they pass away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Umrah Badal be performed for more than one person?

No, you cannot combine intentions in a single Umrah. Each Umrah Badal must be performed separately with its own distinct intention for each individual person.

Can I perform Umrah Badal for a living person?

Yes, but only if that person is permanently unable to perform it themselves due to chronic illness, severe disability, or extreme old age. If they may recover or gain ability in the future, it is better to wait.

Can I pay someone to perform Umrah Badal?

Yes, it is permissible to provide compensation to cover travel expenses and facilitate the performance. However, the intention should be pure worship, not commercial profit. The person should be qualified and trustworthy.

Do I need to inform the person I am performing Umrah for?

If the person is alive, it is recommended to inform them so they can make du’a during the Umrah. For deceased individuals, your sincere intention is sufficient.

What if I have not performed my own Umrah yet?

You must perform your own Umrah first before performing it on behalf of someone else. This is a condition agreed upon by Islamic scholars.

Can women perform Umrah Badal?

Yes, women can perform Umrah Badal under the same conditions as men, provided they have a mahram (male guardian) accompanying them if required for travel.

Important Considerations

Consult Qualified Scholars

While this guide provides general information based on established Islamic sources, individual circumstances may vary. For specific situations or questions, consult qualified Islamic scholars or local religious authorities in your area.

Choosing a Service Provider

If arranging Umrah Badal through a service:

• Verify the credentials and reputation of the organization
• Ensure they work with qualified individuals who meet all Islamic conditions
• Ask about their process for making the intention and performing the rituals
• Request documentation or confirmation if available
• Ensure transparency in fees and services

Documentation

Keep records of your Umrah Badal, including:

• Date of performance
• Name of the person it was performed for
• Name of the performer (if arranged through someone else)
• Any relevant receipts or confirmations

Conclusion

Umrah Badal is a beautiful manifestation of Islamic mercy and compassion. It allows us to extend the blessings of this sacred journey to those who cannot physically undertake it themselves, whether due to death, illness, or disability.

This act of worship strengthens the bonds of family and community, honors our elders and ancestors, and demonstrates the comprehensive nature of Islamic jurisprudence that accounts for every circumstance in human life.

May Allah accept all acts of worship performed with sincerity and devotion, and may He make it easy for all Muslims to visit His sacred House.

Ready to begin your sacred journey?

At KSA Travels, we help Muslims from Pakistan and across the world fulfill this beautiful act of worship with sincerity and trust.

Book your Umrah package today or learn more about Umrah visa from Pakistan — and let your loved ones share in the blessings of this sacred journey.