Is it permissible to accept payment for performing حج on someone else's behalf?

There is scholarly consensus that a proxy may accept reimbursement for the actual expenses of performing حج 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 حج.

Sheikh Ibn Baz stated that accepting expenses for proxy حج is permissible without disagreement. Regarding payment beyond expenses, he permitted it but advised that the person should primarily intend to perform حج 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 حج primarily for money diminishes the spiritual reward, even though the حج is technically valid.

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen differentiated between two types of proxy performers: one who performs حج primarily for Allah's reward and the service to a fellow Muslim, and accepts the payment as a secondary benefit — this person's حج is rewarded and praiseworthy. The other type performs حج primarily to earn money — this person's حج 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.