What Is Hajj by Proxy (Badal Hajj)? Its Conditions and How It Is Performed

The short answer to the question what is Hajj by proxy (badal Hajj) is this: badal Hajj is when someone performs Hajj in place of a person for whom Hajj is obligatory but who cannot perform this act of worship in person because of a permanent impediment such as illness or advanced old age, or who has died without performing their Hajj. Also referred to in books of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) as “Hajj on behalf of another”, this practice is an ease that stems from the fact that Hajj combines physical and financial aspects. In this article, based on the Hanafi school and the explanations of Diyanet (Türkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs), you will find the basis of badal Hajj, who it can be performed for, the conditions required of the sender and the person sent, how badal Hajj is performed, and the rulings on bequests and the sacrifice.

The Basis of Badal Hajj

The basis of badal Hajj is the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him). During the Farewell Hajj, a woman from the tribe of Khath’am came to the Prophet and told him that Hajj had become obligatory for her father but that he had grown very old and could not stay seated on a mount, and she asked whether she could perform Hajj in his place. The Prophet said “Yes” and gave her permission (Bukhari, Muslim).

Starting from this and similar hadiths, Islamic scholars concluded that a person who is physically unable to go to Hajj can fulfil their Hajj obligation by sending someone else with their financial means. Because Hajj is an act of worship performed with both the body and wealth, proxy is permitted in the case of physical incapacity. In acts of worship performed only with the body, such as prayer and fasting, no such proxy is possible.

Can badal Hajj be explained briefly?

Badal Hajj is when another Muslim performs Hajj on behalf of a person who has the financial means to perform Hajj but cannot go because of a permanent impediment such as ill health, or who has died, with that person’s permission or in accordance with their bequest, and using their wealth. The person who sends someone on this Hajj is called the “amir” (the sender), and the person sent is called the “ma’mur” or “wakil” (the proxy).

Who Can Badal Hajj Be Performed For?

According to the Hanafi school, being able to send a proxy for the obligatory Hajj depends on the person being permanently unable to perform this act of worship in person, even though Hajj has become obligatory for them. A temporary illness or a short-term impediment is not a sufficient reason to send a proxy.

• Those with a serious, permanent illness from which there is no hope of recovery,
• Those who, because of advanced old age, are not in a condition to manage the journey and the rites,
• Those who have a permanent impediment and will not be able to make the Hajj journey,
• Those for whom Hajj was obligatory but who died without being able to perform it and who left a bequest for this purpose,
• Deceased persons who left no bequest but on whose behalf their heirs wish, of their own accord, to have Hajj performed.

We explain in detail who Hajj is obligatory for and the conditions that make it obligatory in our article on who Hajj is obligatory for.

What happens if the person who sent a proxy later recovers?

According to the Hanafi school, the incapacity of a person who sends a proxy for the obligatory Hajj must continue until their death. A person who recovers after sending a proxy and becomes able to go to Hajj must perform their obligatory Hajj in person; the badal Hajj they sent is counted as a voluntary (nafl) Hajj for them. For this reason, before sending a proxy, whether the person’s state of health is permanent should be carefully assessed.

What Are the Conditions of Badal Hajj?

According to the Hanafi school, certain conditions must be met for a proxy sent for the obligatory Hajj to be valid. We can summarise these conditions, which are also set out in Diyanet’s Hajj manual (ilmihal), as follows:

1. Hajj must have become obligatory for the sender: A proxy for the obligatory Hajj is only possible for someone for whom Hajj has become obligatory.
2. The sender’s incapacity must be permanent: The incapacity must continue until death.
3. There must be an instruction or a bequest from the sender: For a deceased person, this takes the form of a bequest.
4. All or most of the costs must be met by the sender: The Hajj expenses are paid from the wealth of the person on whose behalf Hajj is performed, or from a voluntary donation (tabarru’) made by their heirs on their behalf.
5. The proxy must make the intention on behalf of the sender: When entering ihram, the intention must specify on whose behalf the Hajj is being performed.
6. The proxy must act in accordance with the instructions given: They must perform the type of Hajj they were told to perform.
7. The proxy must not invalidate the Hajj: If they do something that invalidates the Hajj, they must return the expenses to the sender.
8. A Hajj must be performed on behalf of only one person: A single Hajj cannot be intended on behalf of two different people.

What are the conditions of badal Hajj, point by point?

In short, the conditions of badal Hajj are: that Hajj is obligatory for the sender, that the sender is in a state of permanent incapacity, that the sender has given an instruction or left a bequest for the proxy, that the costs are met by the sender, and that the proxy makes the intention on the sender’s behalf, follows the instructions, does not invalidate the Hajj and performs Hajj on behalf of only one person. For specific situations, refer to Diyanet’s current fatwas.

Qualities Required of the Proxy

The person who goes to Hajj as a proxy must be someone who can carry out the act of worship entrusted to them correctly and with care. Choosing a person who knows the Hajj rites, is trustworthy and healthy, and is devoted to their worship gives peace of mind to both the sender and the heirs.

The proxy must be a Muslim of sound mind with the capacity for discernment (tamyiz). Learning the Hajj rites in advance, carefully observing the ihram restrictions and performing the rites in full are what the trust they have taken on requires. You can find the steps of Hajj, day by day, in our guide on how to perform Hajj.

Can someone who has not performed their own Hajj act as a proxy?

According to the Hanafi school, sending someone who has not performed their own obligatory Hajj as a proxy is valid, but it is not considered appropriate and is regarded as disliked (makruh). According to the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools, however, a person must first have performed their own Hajj before they can perform Hajj on behalf of someone else. For this reason, it is recommended to choose as a proxy someone who has already performed their own Hajj.

Can a woman perform badal Hajj in place of a man?

Yes. A woman can perform badal Hajj in place of a man, and a man in place of a woman. The permission given to the woman from the tribe of Khath’am to perform Hajj on behalf of her father is also cited as evidence on this matter. A female proxy’s journey should be planned within the framework of the rulings concerning a mahram and Saudi Arabia’s practices in the year concerned.

How Is Badal Hajj Performed?

In terms of the rites, badal Hajj is no different from a normal Hajj. The difference lies in the intention, the source of the expenses and the proxy’s responsibility towards the sender. In practice, the process generally unfolds as follows:

1. Granting the proxy: The sender, or the heirs carrying out the bequest, clearly appoint the proxy and specify which type of Hajj they are to perform.
2. Organisation and documents: The proxy takes part in the Hajj registration and organisation processes according to the principles set by Diyanet.
3. Ihram and intention: At the miqat, the proxy mentions the sender’s name, makes the intention for Hajj on their behalf and recites the talbiyah.
4. The rites: The standing at Arafat, the tawaf of visitation and the other rites are performed in full, just as in a normal Hajj.
5. Supplication and awareness of the trust: Throughout Hajj, the proxy prays for the person on whose behalf they are performing Hajj and carries the trust with care.

How is the intention made in badal Hajj?

In badal Hajj, when entering ihram, the proxy makes the intention in their heart and with their tongue with the meaning “O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj on behalf of so-and-so; make it easy and accept it.” It is best to know the sender’s name and state it in the intention; if the name is forgotten, saying “on behalf of the person who sent me” is also considered sufficient. For details on the intention for ihram and the talbiyah, see our article on the intention for ihram.

Which type of Hajj is badal Hajj performed as?

According to the Hanafi school, the basic form of badal Hajj is Ifrad Hajj. If the proxy performs Tamattu’ or Qiran Hajj without the sender’s permission, the badal Hajj is considered not to have been fulfilled. If the sender has given permission for Tamattu’ or Qiran, a badal Hajj performed in that way is valid. We compare the differences between the types of Hajj in our article on the types of Hajj.

Who is responsible for the sacrifice and penalties in badal Hajj?

According to the Hanafi school, when Tamattu’ or Qiran Hajj is performed with permission, the sacrifice of thanksgiving that must be offered is the responsibility of the proxy. Penalties arising from the proxy’s own fault, such as violating the ihram restrictions, are also paid from the proxy’s own wealth. On these matters, it is wise to refer to Diyanet’s current explanations for details and to make a clear agreement between the parties in advance.

Badal Hajj on Behalf of a Deceased Person

The situation of a person for whom Hajj was obligatory but who died without performing it depends on whether or not they left a bequest. According to the Hanafi school, for a person who left a bequest, the badal Hajj is paid for from one third of the estate. If one third of the estate is not enough to cover the Hajj expenses, sending a proxy from wherever that amount is sufficient comes into consideration.

For a person who died without leaving a bequest, however, the heirs are not obliged to send a proxy. Nevertheless, the heirs may, of their own accord and from their own shares, have Hajj performed on the deceased’s behalf; it is hoped, through Allah’s mercy, that this Hajj will settle the deceased person’s obligation.

Can Hajj be performed on behalf of someone who has died?

Yes. Hajj can be performed on behalf of a deceased person, from one third of their estate if they left a bequest, or at the heirs’ own wish if they did not. On this matter, it is important for the heirs to reach agreement among themselves and to take care in choosing the proxy. For specific situations, it is advisable to consult the mufti offices.

Rulings on Badal Hajj in Different Situations

The table below summarises the most common situations relating to badal Hajj and their rulings according to the Hanafi school.

Important: Badal Hajj is a trust with both a religious and a financial dimension. Make a clear agreement between the parties in advance on matters such as the choice of proxy, how the expenses will be covered, the type of Hajj and the sacrifice. For questions specific to your personal situation, contact Diyanet’s religious advisory services or the mufti offices.

What Should You Consider Before Sending a Proxy?

Badal Hajj is an act of worship with an important outcome: the fulfilment of a person’s Hajj obligation. For this reason, it is necessary not to rush at the stage of making the decision and choosing the proxy, and to weigh up the religious and practical aspects together. The checklist below is a reminder of points that may be overlooked in this process:

• Get a doctor’s opinion on whether the sender’s state of health is permanent.
• Make sure the proxy is someone who knows the rites, is trustworthy and, if possible, has already performed their own Hajj.
• Discuss from the outset which type of Hajj will be performed and how the sacrifice will be covered.
• Clearly determine from whose wealth and how the expenses will be met.
• If Hajj is to be performed on behalf of a deceased person, make sure the heirs are in agreement.
• Follow the proxy’s Hajj registration and organisation processes in good time, and check the necessary paperwork using our article on documents required for Hajj.

These preparations help the proxy to carry the trust with peace of mind and give the sender and their family peace of mind as well.

Topics Confused with Badal Hajj

Badal Hajj is sometimes confused in everyday conversation with other practices. Performing Hajj on your own behalf and then gifting the reward of that Hajj to a relative is not badal Hajj; in that case, the person has performed their own Hajj and is gifting its reward. In badal Hajj, by contrast, the Hajj is performed from the very beginning with the intention of doing it on behalf of someone else.

Umrah is also an act of worship that can be performed on behalf of someone else. Those who wish to perform Umrah on behalf of a deceased relative can fulfil this act of worship by making the intention for Umrah on that person’s behalf. You can find the main differences between Hajj and Umrah in our article on the differences between Hajj and Umrah.

Is a person going to Hajj as a proxy subject to Hajj registration?

Yes. The Hajj registration, lottery and organisation processes for a person going as a proxy are also subject to the principles set by Diyanet each year. For this reason, once you decide to send a proxy, you need to plan with the proxy’s registration status and that year’s organisation timetable in mind.

Badal Hajj is an important ease offered by Islam for fulfilling the Hajj obligation of a relative who cannot go to Hajj, or of a loved one who has passed away. At RotaNur, we are happy to answer your questions about the organisation process for people going to Hajj as a proxy. You can find our programmes on our Hajj tours page, and to discuss your personal situation, you can get in touch with us through our contact page or our WhatsApp line. May Allah accept the Hajj of everyone who intends to perform it.

Frequently Asked Questions