It is permissible to perform Umre 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 Umre should have completed their own farz Umre first (if they hold Umre to be farz). The intention is made at the miqat specifically on behalf of the deceased.
Performing Umre on behalf of a deceased person is permissible according to the consensus of scholars. The reward of the Umre reaches the deceased by Allah's permission. This ruling is derived by analogy (qiyas) from the explicit permission for proxy Hac for the deceased, and from the general hadith that permits good deeds performed on behalf of the dead, such as charity and dua.
Sheikh Ibn Baz stated that performing Umre 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 Umre should have already completed their own farz Umre (for those who consider Umre farz). They should make the niyyah (intention) at the miqat on behalf of the deceased: 'Labbayk Allahumma bi-Umre on behalf of [name].'
Sheikh Al-Albani confirmed the permissibility based on the hadith where Hz. Peygamber permitted proxy Hac for the deceased, and Umre follows the same ruling. He also noted that the person performing the proxy Umre earns their own reward for the good deed, while the full reward of the Umre goes to the deceased. There is no limit to how many proxy Umres can be performed for the same deceased person.
A woman from Juhaynah came to Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) and said: 'My mother vowed to perform Hac but she died before performing it. Should I perform Hac on her behalf?' He said: 'Yes, perform Hac on her behalf.'
A woman from Juhaynah came to Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) and said: 'My mother vowed to perform Hac but she died before performing it. Should I perform Hac on her behalf?' He said: 'Yes, perform Hac on her behalf.'
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said: 'Whoever dies and had a vow to fulfill, his heir should fulfill it on his behalf.'
Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) 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 Umre for the deceased is valid and permissible. The proxy should have completed their own farz worship first.
Hanafi scholars permit proxy Umre by analogy with proxy Hac for the deceased.
Proxy Umre for the deceased is permissible as an act of devotion. The reward reaches the deceased.
Maliki scholars permit good deeds on behalf of the deceased, including Umre.
Proxy Umre for the deceased is valid and praiseworthy. The Shafi'i school encourages performing Umre for deceased relatives.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: proxy Umre for the deceased is permissible by scholarly consensus.
Proxy Umre for the deceased is valid. If the deceased had an unfulfilled obligation of Umre, it should be performed from their estate.
Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: Umre, like Hac, 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 Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) and said: 'My mother vowed to perform Hac but she died before performing it. Should I perform Hac on her behalf?' He said: 'Yes, perform Hac on her behalf.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1852 (sahih)Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said: 'Whoever dies and had a vow to fulfill, his heir should fulfill it on his behalf.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #6699 (sahih)