Should I perform Hajj on behalf of my elderly parents who are unable to travel and perform the rites themselves, or should I appoint someone to make Hajj on their behalf?

Uploaded Jan 8, 2024

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Question

My father and mother haven't fulfilled their obligation of Hajj until now. I have the intention to make them perform Hajj, but the problem is that they are old to the extent that they cannot even travel, let alone perform the rites of Hajj, such as Tawāf, Sa'ī, and throwing jimār. Should I make Hajj on their behalf or appoint someone to make Hajj on their behalf?

Sheikh Ibn Baz

It is permissible for you to perform Hajj on behalf of them, each one seperately. You start with the mother, then the father, this is what is best. That's because the Prophet ﷺ was asked, Abu Razīn Al-'Aqīlī asked him, "O Messenger of Allāh, my father is a very old man, he cannot perform Hajj or be carried (to perform it). So, can I do Hajj and Umrah on his behalf ? The Prophet ﷺ said: "Make Hajj and Umrah on behalf of your father" So, you can make Hajj on their behalf, May Allāh reward you. You start with the mother, because her right is greater, then you make Hajj on behalf of the father. And if you have made Hajj on their behalf, I mean, if you pay a trustworthy person to make Hajj on their behalf, then that's fine. However, if you are the one performing it, it is better, except if you see someone else to be better than you due to his knowledge and virtue, and you make an agreement with him to do Hajj on their behalf, then there's no problem.