Proxy الحج for a living person is جائز when the person is permanently unable to perform الحج themselves — due to old age, chronic incurable illness, or permanent disability. This is based on the hadith of the woman from Khath'am about her elderly father. If the person recovers unexpectedly, scholars differ: the Maliki school requires them to perform الحج again, while others consider the proxy الحج sufficient.
Proxy الحج for a living person is جائز when the person is permanently unable to perform الحج due to old age, incurable chronic illness, or permanent physical disability that prevents travel and performing the rites. This is directly أُسس by the hadith of the woman from Khath'am who asked النبي about performing الحج for her elderly father who could not sit firmly on a mount. النبي explicitly permitted it.
الشيخ ابن باز stated that the key condition is permanent inability. A person who is temporarily ill, temporarily financially constrained, or simply unable to travel this particular year should wait until they are able. Proxy الحج is not a convenience measure — it is a concession for genuine, permanent incapacity. He also clarified that the living person should fund the proxy's الحج from their own wealth.
Sheikh الفوزان addressed the question of what happens if the person unexpectedly recovers after proxy الحج has been performed. The majority of scholars hold that the proxy الحج is valid and the person does not need to perform الحج again, because the obligation was fulfilled through the proxy. The Maliki school, however, holds that if the person recovers and becomes able to perform الحج, they should perform it themselves, and the proxy الحج becomes voluntary. Sheikh الفوزان مستحب following the majority position that the proxy الحج fulfills the obligation.
A woman from Khath'am said: 'O Messenger of Allah, the obligation of الحج has become due on my father, but he is an old man who cannot sit firmly on the riding animal. Shall I perform الحج on his behalf?' He said: 'Yes.'
A woman from Khath'am said: 'O Messenger of Allah, the obligation of الحج has become due on my father, but he is an old man who cannot sit firmly on the riding animal. Shall I perform الحج on his behalf?' He said: 'Yes.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) heard a man saying: 'Labbayk on behalf of Shubrumah.' He said: 'Have you performed الحج for yourself?' He said: 'No.' He said: 'Perform الحج for yourself first, then for Shubrumah.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) heard a man saying: 'Labbayk on behalf of Shubrumah.' He said: 'Have you performed الحج for yourself?' He said: 'No.' He said: 'Perform الحج for yourself first, then for Shubrumah.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
Proxy الحج for a living person is valid when the incapacity is permanent. The living person must appoint the proxy themselves. If they recover, they do not need to perform الحج again.
Al-Hidayah: proxy الحج is valid for permanent incapacity based on the hadith of Khath'am.
The Maliki school permits proxy الحج for the living but is more restrictive. If the person recovers, they should perform الحج themselves. The proxy الحج becomes voluntary in that case.
Al-Mudawwanah: if the person recovers, the obligation reverts to personal performance.
Proxy الحج for a permanently incapacitated living person is valid and fulfills the obligation. The person does not need to repeat it even if they recover.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: proxy الحج discharges the obligation for the permanently unable.
Proxy الحج is valid for the permanently unable living person. If they recover, the majority Hanbali position is that they do not need to perform الحج again.
Al-Mughni by ابن قدامة: the proxy الحج fulfills the obligation for the permanently incapacitated.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
A woman from Khath'am said: 'O Messenger of Allah, the obligation of الحج has become due on my father, but he is an old man who cannot sit firmly on the riding animal. Shall I perform الحج on his behalf?' He said: 'Yes.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1513 (sahih)النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) heard a man saying: 'Labbayk on behalf of Shubrumah.' He said: 'Have you performed الحج for yourself?' He said: 'No.' He said: 'Perform الحج for yourself first, then for Shubrumah.'
Sunan Abu Dawud #1811 (sahih)