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