Who Can Have A Proxy Hajj (Ḥajj-E-Badal) Performed On Their Behalf ?

Darulifta Ahlesunnat

(Dawateislami)

Question

   What do the honourable scholars of Islam say about the following matter: Hajj is compulsory(Fard) for my father. He has had the money to perform it for around four or five years now, but he has not done so. He is approximately 70 years old. Although he can walk smaller distances and sit up in vehicles, due to blood sugar issues, high blood pressure, and leg pain, he cannot walk for long distances. Can someone perform a proxy Hajj((ḥajj-e-badal)) on his behalf or must he perform Hajj himself?

بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

   Deliberately delaying the performance of Hajj without a valid excuse for one year is a minor sin. Delay it for some years  is a major sin. Firstly, he should repent for this delay. When a person is able to perform Hajj and meets all of its conditions, it is compulsory (farḍ) for him to immediately perform Hajj in that year. The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “Hasten to perform Hajj, as none of you know which hardship will afflict you later.”

   Regarding the question, your father cannot have Hajj performed on his behalf. It is still compulsory for him to complete it in person. The jurists of Islam have allowed proxy Hajj (hajj-e-badal) only when the person is totally incapable and will most likely remain in this state until passing away. In other words, he will remain incapable of performing Hajj for the rest of his life.

   One scenario is extreme old age or severe illness, which renders a person completely incapable of performing Hajj. Although Hajj may prove difficult for your father, he is not incapable or unable entirely. In contemporary times, the Hajj has been made easier compared to the past. Wheelchairs and other facilities are available to help in performing tawaf, saʿī, and the other rites of Hajj. Excellent transport links are available between Makkah and Madina. With the availability of such facilities, your father is not deemed incapable of completing Hajj himself. It is compulsory for him to perform it in person.

وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم