It is جائز to perform العمرة on behalf of a deceased person, and the reward reaches them by Allah's permission. This is agreed upon by all four schools. The person performing العمرة should have completed their own واجب العمرة first (if they hold العمرة to be واجب). The intention is made at the الميقات specifically on behalf of the deceased.
Performing العمرة on behalf of a deceased person is جائز عند the consensus of scholars. The reward of the العمرة reaches the deceased by Allah's permission. This ruling is derived by analogy (qiyas) from the explicit permission for proxy الحج for the deceased, and from the general hadith that permits good deeds performed on behalf of the dead, such as charity and الدعاء.
الشيخ ابن باز stated that performing العمرة on behalf of a deceased parent, relative, or any Muslim is a righteous act and a form of birr (kindness) that benefits the deceased. The person performing the proxy العمرة should have already completed their own واجب العمرة (for those who consider العمرة واجب). They should make the niyyah (intention) at the الميقات on behalf of the deceased: 'Labbayk Allahumma bi-العمرة on behalf of [name].'
Sheikh الألباني confirmed the permissibility based on the hadith where النبي permitted proxy الحج for the deceased, and العمرة follows the same ruling. He also noted that the person performing the proxy العمرة earns their own reward for the good deed, while the full reward of the العمرة goes to the deceased. There is no limit to how many proxy العمرةs can be performed for the same deceased person.
A woman from Juhaynah came to النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and said: 'My mother vowed to perform الحج but she died before performing it. Should I perform الحج on her behalf?' He said: 'Yes, perform الحج on her behalf.'
A woman from Juhaynah came to النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and said: 'My mother vowed to perform الحج but she died before performing it. Should I perform الحج on her behalf?' He said: 'Yes, perform الحج on her behalf.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Whoever dies and had a vow to fulfill, his heir should fulfill it on his behalf.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Whoever dies and had a vow to fulfill, his heir should fulfill it on his behalf.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
Proxy العمرة for the deceased is valid and جائز. The proxy should have completed their own واجب worship first.
Hanafi scholars permit proxy العمرة by analogy with proxy الحج for the deceased.
Proxy العمرة for the deceased is جائز as an act of devotion. The reward reaches the deceased.
Maliki scholars permit good deeds on behalf of the deceased, including العمرة.
Proxy العمرة for the deceased is valid and praiseworthy. The Shafi'i school encourages performing العمرة for deceased relatives.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: proxy العمرة for the deceased is جائز by scholarly consensus.
Proxy العمرة for the deceased is valid. If the deceased had an unfulfilled obligation of العمرة, it should be performed from their estate.
Al-Mughni by ابن قدامة: العمرة, like الحج, can be performed by proxy for the deceased.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
A woman from Juhaynah came to النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and said: 'My mother vowed to perform الحج but she died before performing it. Should I perform الحج on her behalf?' He said: 'Yes, perform الحج on her behalf.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1852 (sahih)النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Whoever dies and had a vow to fulfill, his heir should fulfill it on his behalf.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #6699 (sahih)