A question we are asked fairly often is whether Umrah can be performed on behalf of someone else, usually a parent who has passed away, or an elderly relative who is no longer able to travel. It is a meaningful act, and the short answer is yes, it is permitted under Islamic teaching, but it comes with specific conditions depending on whether the person is living or deceased.
This guide walks through those conditions as understood by the majority of scholars, including the Hanafi school of thought, so you can approach this with confidence and the right intention. For general procedural questions, you can also review our comprehensive Umrah FAQs.
Can You Perform Umrah for Someone Who Is Still Alive?
Yes, but only under specific circumstances. Performing Umrah on behalf of a living person, known as Badal Umrah, is generally permitted when that person is genuinely unable to perform it themselves, most commonly due to old age, a permanent illness, or a disability that makes travel unrealistic for them.
It is worth being clear about this point, since it is sometimes misunderstood: this is not a general option available for any able-bodied adult who simply prefers someone else to go on their behalf. The majority scholarly view is that Badal Umrah for a living person is specifically for someone who cannot fulfil it themselves, not a substitute for personal choice.
Conditions for Performing Umrah on Behalf of a Living Person
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Their permission is essential: You cannot perform Umrah on someone’s behalf while they are alive without them knowingly agreeing to it.
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Genuine inability: The person should have a real, ongoing reason they cannot perform Umrah themselves, such as advanced age or a lasting medical condition.
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Clear intention (niyyah): Before entering Ihram, your intention should specifically name the person you are performing Umrah for, intending it clearly on their behalf rather than for yourself.
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Financial arrangements: You typically cover the costs, though this can be discussed and agreed between you and the person you are performing it for.
Can You Perform Umrah for Someone Who Has Passed Away?
Yes, and this is one of the more well-established and widely practised forms of Badal Umrah. Performing Umrah on behalf of a deceased parent, relative, or even someone outside your family is considered an act of ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), and its reward is directed to them.
Conditions for Performing Umrah on Behalf of a Deceased Person
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No permission is required, since the person has passed away.
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Clear intention still matters: Your niyyah should specifically name the person and state that you are performing Umrah on their behalf, so the reward is directed correctly.
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Any capable adult Muslim can perform it, regardless of gender, provided the intention and rituals are carried out properly.
The Hanafi Perspective
The Hanafi school addresses this topic with clear conditions, broadly in line with the majority view above:
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For a living person: Permission is a firm requirement, and the reason for their inability should be genuine and lasting, not a matter of convenience. The person performing Umrah on their behalf should have already performed their own obligatory religious duties where applicable before taking on this responsibility for someone else.
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For a deceased person: No permission is needed, and any Muslim of sound mind and physical capability may undertake it, with the reward reaching the deceased through their sincere intention.
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Intention (niyyah) is the foundation in both cases. Without a clear, specific intention naming the person, the act does not fulfil its purpose as Badal Umrah, according to Hanafi scholars.
Because personal circumstances vary, and because this is a matter of religious ruling rather than a fixed procedural rule, it is always worth confirming the specifics of your situation with a knowledgeable local scholar or imam before travelling, particularly if your case does not fit neatly into the categories above.
How to Perform Umrah on Behalf of Someone Else: Practical Steps
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Confirm the situation clearly: Decide whether you are performing this for a living person (and confirm their permission) or a deceased person.
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Set your intention before Ihram: At the point of entering Ihram, make your intention specific, stating that you are performing this Umrah on behalf of the named person, whether living or deceased.
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Arrange your travel as normal: Flights, hotels, and transport are booked the same way as for a personal Umrah trip. If you are planning this alongside your own pilgrimage or considering package options, our guide to Umrah Packages 2026 can help with planning.
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Perform every ritual exactly as you would for yourself: Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, and the final steps, while keeping your intention in mind throughout.
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Keep a private note if it helps you stay focused, especially if you are performing Umrah on behalf of more than one person across a trip, though this is not a religious requirement, just a practical one.
Living vs Deceased: Quick Comparison
| Status | Permission Needed | Intention Focus | Who Can Perform It |
| Living person | Yes, essential | Name the person; intention must be specific | Any capable adult Muslim, with the person’s consent |
| Deceased person | No | Name the person; reward is directed to them | Any capable adult Muslim |
A Few Things Worth Keeping in Mind
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This is a meaningful, well-established practice, not something to feel uncertain about undertaking with the right intention and conditions in place.
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If you are performing Umrah on behalf of a parent who has passed away, many pilgrims find this a deeply moving experience, and it is worth allowing yourself the time and space to reflect during the trip.
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If your situation involves something more specific, such as performing it for a deceased person alongside your own Umrah in the same trip, or questions about combining intentions, it is genuinely worth a quick conversation with a scholar rather than assuming based on general guidance alone.
Final Thoughts
Performing Umrah on behalf of someone else, whether they are living and unable to travel, or have passed away, is a recognised and rewarding act across the majority of Islamic scholarship, including the Hanafi school. The key conditions to remember are permission and genuine inability for a living person, and a clear, specific intention in both cases. Beyond that, the rituals themselves are performed exactly as they would be for your own Umrah.
If you are planning to perform Umrah on someone’s behalf and would like help arranging the trip itself, our team can talk you through flight, hotel, and package options. Browse our Umrah Packages 2026 or explore cheap Umrah packages to find options that fit your schedule. If you are handling your paperwork independently, ensure your entry documents comply with current Umrah visa UK requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I perform Umrah for someone without their permission?
No, not if the person is alive. Permission is an essential condition when performing Umrah on behalf of a living person. This requirement does not apply when performing Umrah for someone who has passed away.
2. Can women perform Umrah on behalf of men, or men on behalf of women?
Yes, gender does not affect eligibility. Any capable adult Muslim can perform Umrah on behalf of another person, whether living or deceased, regardless of the gender of either person involved.
3. Does performing Umrah for someone else carry the same reward as performing it for yourself?
The reward for the act is directed to the person it is performed for, based on your intention. Many scholars also note that the person performing it can still gain spiritual benefit and reward from the sincerity and effort of undertaking the journey.
4. Can I perform Umrah on behalf of a distant relative or friend, not just close family?
Yes, there is no requirement that the person be a close relative. For a deceased person, this is commonly done for friends and relatives alike. For a living person, the same permission and genuine inability conditions still apply regardless of the relationship.
5. What happens if my intention isn’t clear when I perform Umrah on someone’s behalf?
According to the majority of scholars, including the Hanafi school, a clear and specific intention naming the person is essential for the act to be properly directed to them. If you are ever unsure how to frame your intention for your specific situation, it is best to ask a knowledgeable scholar beforehand rather than assume.
