We know that Amaliah is like a Big Sis and sometimes our DMs have been filled with requests for advice on a range of life issues including relationships, friendships or work troubles.

We have started a new segment where we field dilemmas from the community and answer them as frankly as we can with love, truth and honesty.

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Salam! I’m planning to go for Umrah soon, and I’ve been wondering if I can perform Umrah on behalf of my grandmother who passed away. She was very dear to me and wasn’t able to perform it during her lifetime. Is it permissible to perform Umrah on behalf of a deceased relative? Are there specific intentions I need to make or steps I need to follow to do this properly? JazakAllah khair for your guidance!

*Please Note: The following advice has been checked by an Aalimah but we highly recommend consulting your local scholar or imam from the school of thought you follow for further clarification and details.*

Maya Areem Responds:

Asalamu Alaykum,

Thank you for reaching out. Your intention to honour your grandmother in such a meaningful and heartfelt way is truly beautiful and reflects the deep bond you share with her.

In terms of fiqh, Hanafis and Malikis consider Umrah to be an emphasised sunnah (sunnah mu’akkada), while Shafi’is and Hanbalis regard it as wajib. Regardless of the opinion one follows, all schools of thought agree that it is important to first perform Umrah for oneself before doing so on behalf of someone else. 

Narrated Ibn `Abbas,

A woman from the tribe of Juhaina came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, “My mother had vowed to perform Hajj but she died before performing it. May I perform Hajj on my mother’s behalf?” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Perform Hajj on her behalf. Had there been a debt on your mother, would you have paid it or not? So, pay Allah’s debt as He has more right to be paid.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Scholars from the Hanafi, Hanbali and Shafi’i schools state that, in addition to performing Umrah on behalf of someone who has passed away, it is permissible to do so for a person with an incurable disability or chronic illness that prevents them from undertaking the pilgrimage themselves. In such cases, with their instruction, a relative or someone close to them may perform Umrah on their behalf. Please note that the Malikis seem to discourage Umrah/Hajj on behalf of another. However, they do consider it valid/permissible if it is done. 

While many restrict this concession to those unable to perform Umrah due to such circumstances, the Hanafi school extends this allowance to performing Umrah on behalf of someone healthy as well and gifting them the reward. This perspective reflects a broader approach within their jurisprudence. This array of divergent views can be found in the Mausu’a Fiqhiya Kuwaitiya (328–329).

According to the majority of the schools of thought, performing Umrah on behalf of your grandmother, who didn’t have the opportunity to perform it herself, is permissible and inshaAllah, your grandmother will benefit from it.

The most important aspect of any act of worship is the intention. When you perform Umrah on behalf of your grandmother, your intention should be clear that you are performing the Umrah as a form of sadaqah (charity) for her. It’s recommended to make a heartfelt du’a for her during your journey, asking Allah ﷻ to grant her peace and forgiveness. 

When your own umrah is complete, you can prepare to perform a second umrah on behalf of your grandmother by returning to Miqat (Masjid Aisha) and re-entering Ihram for the second Umrah. The intention for your grandmother’s Umrah should be made at the beginning of the subsequent Umrah when you start your Ihram. You can say:

“I am performing Umrah for the sake of Allah and on behalf of my deceased grandmother.”

The steps to perform Umrah on behalf of your grandmother are the same as performing it for yourself, apart from the intention. For a more detailed guide, please refer to A Guide on How to Perform Umrah and Duas for Umrah.

You are not required to repeat the same intention during the Tawaf or Sa’i. It is sufficient to make the intention at the beginning of Ihram for Umrah. 

In addition to performing Umrah, it’s highly recommended to make du’a for your grandmother.  Start your du’a with istighfar (seeking forgiveness), ask Allah ﷻ to grant her forgiveness, elevate her rank in the Hereafter, and allow her to enjoy the blessings of the Umrah you are performing on her behalf. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that the du’a of a righteous child is more beneficial for their parents than anyone else’s. (Albani)

You can also read Remembering Our Loved Ones: Duas You Can Make for the Deceased.

You may also consider giving charity on her behalf, as acts of charity continue to benefit the deceased. Any form of charity done on behalf of the deceased—especially ongoing charity such as constructing a well, setting up an educational project, or helping those in need—will be beneficial for your grandmother. These acts of charity are known as sadaqah jariyah, which are continuous forms of charity and the most rewarding type of charity you can give on her behalf.

For instance, Sa’d ibn Ubadah RA donated a garden for his mother after her sudden passing, following the advice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. (Sunan An-Nasai)

There are many other meaningful deeds you can do on behalf of deceased relatives, which are beautifully outlined in ‘The Best Deeds on their Behalf.’

May Allah ﷻ accept your Umrah, grant forgiveness to your grandmother, and grant you and her goodness in this world and the hereafter. Ameen.

Love + Duas,

Aunt Maya

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If you would like some wisdom from Aunt Maya, send in your problems here! Please note Aunt Maya may consult the opinion of others from time to time and ask the Amaliah community for their advice too. Aunt Maya is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional.