Hajj Badal: How To Perform, Explained In The Best Way?

Hajj is mandatory for every Muslim who is physically able to perform and can afford the expenses for Hajj travel. It is a once-in-a-lifetime journey taken as an individual or as a family. The concept of Hajj itself is so vast that there are queries that remain unanswered to some and doubts that need to be cleared.

Hajj Badal is one such issue that has several voices. Many Muslims only have a basic understanding of Hajj Badal but do not know the rulings and conditions. In this blog, we have explained about Hajj Badal, how to perform Hajj Badal, its rulings and other essential things.

We hope to provide a clear answer to certain questions while offering a spiritual journey and enrichment to every Muslim embarking on the sacred journey.​​​​​​​

What is Hajj Al Badal?

Performing Hajj on someone else’s behalf is known as Hajj Badal or Hajj Al-Badal / Hajj e Badal. Several questions arise regarding the do(s) and don’t (s). Before sharing the facts and what people say about Hajj Badal or how to perform Hajj Badal, let us discuss it in light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah to gain a clearer understanding before embarking on your Islamic tour.

There are two views that run parallel. The first view says that, provided strong conditions, performing Hajj/Umrah on someone’s behalf is acceptable and some disallow it. The first view has been given by Imam Ahmed, Imam Abu Hanifah and Imam Shafi (AR), and the other view says that it is not valid for a person to appoint someone else to perform Hajj.​​​​​​​

Can Hajj Be Carried Out For Dead People?

It was narrated that Ibn Abbas (RA) said, “A man said: O Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)! My father has died and he did not perform Hajj; shall I perform Hajj on his behalf?” He (SA) said, “Don’t you think that if your father owed a debt, you would pay it off?” He said, “Yes.” He said, “The debt owed to Allah is more deserving (of being paid off).”

(Hadith No. 2640, Book of the Rites of Hajj, Sunan An-Nasa’i, Vol. 3).

Can Hajj Badal Be Performed For The People Who Are Living?

It was narrated from Ibn Abbas (RA) that a woman from Khatham (tribe) asked the Prophet (PBUH) on the morning of the Day of Sacrifice, “O Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)! The command of Allah to his slaves to perform Hajj has come, while my father is an old man and cannot sit firmly in the saddle. Can I perform Hajj on his behalf?” He (SA) said, “Yes.”

-Sahih al-Bukhari 1513 

What About Performing Hajj For Parents (Dead or Alive)?

Abdullah bin Buraidah narrated from his father, who said: A woman came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said, “My mother died, and she did not perform Hajj; should I perform Hajj on her behalf?” He said, “Yes, perform Hajj on her behalf.”

(Hadith No. 929, Chapters on Hajj, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2).

Referring back to the previous sections, every part is related to conducting the duties of Hajj for the parents, whether dead or alive.​​​​​​​

Can Hajj Badal Be Performed For Other People, Except Parents?

It was narrated by Ibn Abbas (RA) that a woman vowed to perform Hajj, but she died. Her brother came to the Prophet (PBUH) and asked him about that. He said, “Do you think that if your sister owed a debt you would pay it off?” He said, “Yes.” He said, “Then fulfil the right of Allah, for He is more deserving that His rights should be fulfilled.”

-Sahih al-Bukhari 6699

More Facts on Hajj Badal

The person who is about to perform Hajj on behalf of others is called ‘Mahmoor’, and the person on whose behalf he is performing is called ‘Aamir’.

Conditions For The Disabled Person

Hajj is an obligation for disabled pilgrims according to Shari’ah rules. If not, there is no need to send someone for Hajj Badal.

The disabled person needs to be unfit to perform Hajj. If disabled temporarily, he has to perform when he is fit, even if he has performed Hajj Badal earlier.

The disability should be declared before sending someone for Hajj Badal, or else, it will be invalid.

The disabled person him/herself has to ask someone to perform Hajj Badal. After the death, it is ok if an heir performs Hajj Badal.

The disabled person should bear all types of expenses for Hajj Badal, including Hajj visa, Hajj flights, and costs related to Hajj documentation.

Conditions For The Person Performing Hajj Badal

• The person performing Hajj Badal must be a Muslim and should be aware of how to do Hajj.
• While entering into Ihram, he should make the intention (niyyah) on behalf of the person who is sending him. He must not have the intention of performing Hajj for himself or on behalf of more than one person.
• A woman can also book an affordable Hajj package to perform Hajj Badal on behalf of another woman, but needs to perform Hajj or Umrah with a mahram. Saudi Arabia officially allows women to perform Hajj/Umrah without a mahram under authorised group arrangements. However, some scholars still recommend a woman to perform Hajj with a mahram.
• The person (mahmoor) should perform Hajj Badal and book cheap flights to Jeddah only if he/she has been authorised to do so by another person.
• The appointed person should perform the form of Hajj (Tamatt’u or Qiran), as desired by the person who sent him.
• The appointed person should perform the journey in a practical and manageable manner that allows the Hajj rituals to be completed properly.
• It is not mandatory for a person to have performed Hajj before going for Hajj Badal, according to the Hanafites. Whereas, Ahl-e-Hadith are of the opinion that the appointed person must have performed his own Hajj first. Considering these views, it is safer and wiser to send the one who has already performed his/her own Hajj.

Note: For more information or clarification on these conditions, it is advised to consult a religious scholar.

Final Wordings

Hajj Badal is a beautiful act of mercy, responsibility and devotion that allows Muslims to fulfil an important obligation on behalf of loved ones who are unable to perform it themselves. However, because the rulings and conditions surrounding Hajj Badal can vary among scholars, proper guidance and preparation are extremely important before undertaking the journey.

At Itimaar, we understand the emotional and spiritual significance behind Hajj Badal. Our experienced team helps pilgrims with trusted guidance and personalised support throughout the sacred journey. Whether you are performing Hajj for yourself or on behalf of someone else, Itimaar strives to make your pilgrimage smooth, organised and spiritually fulfilling.