The majority of scholars do not permit performing الطواف by proxy as an independent act separate from a complete الحج or العمرة by proxy. If a person is unable to perform الطواف themselves (due to illness, disability, etc.), they should be carried or wheeled during الطواف. Proxy is permitted for the complete الحج or العمرة — not for individual rites like الطواف alone. If a person cannot be carried at all, they appoint a proxy for the entire الحج.
The question of performing الطواف by proxy for someone who is unable to perform it themselves is a nuanced one. The majority of scholars — including ابن باز and the اللجنة الدائمة — hold that الطواف cannot be delegated as an isolated act. If a الحاج is present in مكة but unable to walk, they should be carried in a wheelchair or on a stretcher during الطواف, as النبي himself performed الطواف while riding. The الطواف performed while being carried is fully valid.
However, if a person is completely unable to perform الطواف even while being carried — for example, due to severe illness, unconsciousness, or a condition that prevents any movement — scholars differ. Some scholars hold that a companion may perform الطواف on their behalf while they remain in their lodging, but this is a minority view. The majority position, held by ابن باز and ابن عثيمين, is that الطواف cannot be delegated separately from the entire الحج. Instead, if a person cannot perform the rites at all, they should appoint a proxy for the entire الحج or العمرة, not for individual rites.
The exception is الطواف al-Ifadah for a person who performed all other الحج rites but then became unable to perform this الطواف. الشيخ ابن عثيمين stated that such a person should wait until they recover, even if it takes time, because الطواف al-Ifadah is a ركن (pillar) of الحج and cannot be waived. If recovery is not expected, they remain in a state of partial الإحرام until they can perform it or delegate it — though the permissibility of delegating it alone remains disputed.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) performed الطواف around the الكعبة during the Farewell الحج while riding his camel.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) performed الطواف around the الكعبة during the Farewell الحج while riding his camel.
I complained to the Messenger of Allah that I was ill. He said: 'Perform الطواف behind the people while riding.'
I complained to the Messenger of Allah that I was ill. He said: 'Perform الطواف behind the people while riding.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
الطواف cannot be delegated as a standalone act. The sick should be carried during الطواف. If completely unable, proxy for the complete الحج is the solution.
Al-Hidayah: الطواف is a physical act of worship that must be performed by the person themselves or as part of a complete proxy الحج.
The Maliki school does not permit proxy الطواف as an isolated act. The person should be carried if unable to walk. For complete inability, a proxy performs the entire الحج.
Al-Mudawwanah: Imam Malik required the person to perform الطواف themselves, even if carried.
The Shafi'i school holds that الطواف cannot be delegated separately. The sick person should be carried. If they cannot be carried, they wait until recovery for الطواف al-Ifadah.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: الطواف is a physical act that does not accept delegation except as part of a complete proxy الحج.
The standard Hanbali position does not permit standalone proxy الطواف. Some Hanbali scholars, however, discussed the permissibility of proxy الطواف al-Ifadah for a severely incapacitated person.
Al-Mughni by ابن قدامة: the general principle is that الطواف must be performed personally.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) performed الطواف around the الكعبة during the Farewell الحج while riding his camel.
Sahih Muslim #1273 (sahih)I complained to the Messenger of Allah that I was ill. He said: 'Perform الطواف behind the people while riding.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1633 (sahih)