Is it جائز to accept payment for performing الحج on someone else's behalf?

There is scholarly consensus that a proxy may accept reimbursement for the actual expenses of performing الحج on someone's behalf — travel, accommodation, food, and related costs. The discussion arises regarding accepting payment beyond the actual expenses, essentially earning a wage or profit for performing proxy الحج.

الشيخ ابن باز stated that accepting expenses for proxy الحج is جائز without disagreement. Regarding payment beyond expenses, he permitted it but advised that the person should primarily intend to perform الحج for the sake of Allah and to benefit the deceased or incapacitated person, not primarily for financial gain. He cited scholars who said that performing الحج primarily for money diminishes the spiritual reward, even though the الحج is technically valid.

الشيخ ابن عثيمين differentiated between two types of proxy performers: one who performs الحج primarily for Allah's reward and the service to a fellow Muslim, and accepts the payment as a secondary benefit — this person's الحج is rewarded and praiseworthy. The other type performs الحج primarily to earn money — this person's الحج is valid and fulfills the obligation of the person on whose behalf it is performed, but the proxy's own spiritual benefit is diminished. He advised that the best approach is for the proxy to intend good and accept whatever expenses are covered, without making profit the primary goal.