Hajj Badal and Hajj e Badal, are terms used by Indo-Pak Muslims, and refer to the performance of obligatory Hajj on behalf of another person.
These terms are called Badal Hajj and Hajj al-Badal in Arabic.
What is Hajj Badal?
Hajj Badal is also known as Proxy Hajj.
It is the act of performing Hajj on behalf of a person who is chronically disabled, deceased, or sick.
This act of performing Hajj on behalf of someone else has been validated by Prophet Muhammad ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) himself, and its significance has also been amplified by many fatwa (or Islamic Scholar's scholars' input).
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, the other four being;
- Shahada
- Salah
- Fasting
- Zakat.
Based on Islamic history and terminology, Hajj is the act of performing a pilgrimage to the Holy Ka'bah, or the House of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, which is located in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Hajj is a way for Muslims to submit to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, and if someone is unable to perform Hajj or Umrah, for example if they live in UK, there is another way for them to purify their hearts and soul and free themselves from worldly sins.
This is done by Hajj Badal. If a person is unable to perform Hajj or Umrah due to their health or physical state, or they passed away before they could perform this obligatory performance, then another person can perform Hajj on their behalf.
Can you perform Hajj on behalf of a dead person?
Yes, it is permissible to perform Hajj on behalf of a dead person.
The person who performs the Hajj Badal, who is performing Hajj on behalf of someone else, is called Ma'moor.
The person on whose behalf the Hajj is being performed is called Aamir. Performing Badal Hajj for a person is only allowed once per year.
Only a person who has completed the obligation of performing Hajj themselves is allowed to perform Proxy Hajj.
Hajj Badal can be performed for a person who is deceased. They could be your parents, relatives, or your loved ones.
It is allowed in Islam and is supported by many narrations from Prophet Muhammad ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) and Islamic scholar's teachings.
Is a Proxy Hajj allowed in Islam?
Yes, a proxy Hajj is allowed in Islam. Even a proxy Umrah is allowed, which is known as Umrah Badal.
However, it is only allowed when the pilgrim, who is performing the Hajj on someone else's behalf, has fulfilled their obligations themselves.
They must undertake this scary journey themselves, first, before performing the proxy Hajj for someone else.
The concept of Badal Hajj is based on the understanding that some Muslims are unable to perform the obligatory Hajj due to many reasons, most commonly being old age, illness, physical limitations, and financial constraints.
In such cases, Islam allows that individual to designate someone else to perform Hajj on their behalf.
This person is known as the representative and performs the pilgrimage as if they were the person who intended to perform it.
Qurbani in Hajj e Badal is also very necessary. It is performed during the 10th, 11th, or 12th of Dhul-Hijjah.
A person can also partake in Qurbani if they are not performing Hajj.
Furthermore, to prepare for Hajj, Muslims must also calculate their zakat contributions to make sure that they are fulfilling the religious obligations of purifying their earnings and giving to the needy and poor.
How does it work?
Hajj e Badal must be performed by a practicing Muslim – a proxy performer who understands the significance and rituals of Hajj.
It is not necessary that the person is a spouse, relative, child, or a friend.
For example, a stranger can do Hajj for someone living in the UK, or even on behalf of a deceased person, without getting permission from their loved ones.
However, the person who is opting for a Hajj Badal must submit written consent to their chosen proxy.
The document has the proxy's name, the person's name on whose behalf the Hajj is being performed, and the details of the package, including the type of Hajj (Ifrad, Qiran, or Tamattu) as well as the year.
Step 1 – Request Hajj Badal Services
The first step that the hirer must take is to request a Hajj Badal services.
Once you add the Hajj e Badal services to your cart, you must provide necessary details such as your full name, gender, the type of Hajj, media requests (such as photos, videos, or live streaming), and other requests.
Once all the required information is filled, you can proceed to the next step, which is payment and transaction.
Step 2 – We perform Hajj on your behalf
Once you have booked a Hajj Badal service, we will choose a worthy representative to perform the Hajj on your behalf.
This individual is someone who is well-versed in the obligations and regulations of Hajj and has performed their own obligatory Hajj before.
Other than that, this individual knows the pillars of Hajj (Ihram, wukuf, tawaf, sa'ie, and tahallul) and reads the niyah for Badal Hajj clearly.
Step 3 - Receive your personalised video
Once our appointed individual has completed Hajj on your behalf, they will send over personalised videos and photos marking the completion of your Hajj.
Who can perform Hajj e badal?
There are certain conditions that make a Muslim eligible for Hajj Badal performances.
First, the person must be a sane Muslim.
Secondly, they must enter the state of Ihram and make an intention (Niyah) on behalf of the person for whom they are performing Hajj.
During the Pilgrimage performance, it is necessary for the Aamir to send their choice of Ma'moor for Hajj.
The Ma'moor, on the other hand, should perform the Badal Hajj according to the requests of the Aamir.
Lastly, the person, Ma'moor, who is performing Hajj on behalf of Aamir, should not only miss any Fard (imperative actions) but perform them with a pure heart.
The eligibility criteria for Ma'moor are;
- A physically and mentally fit Muslim
- They can be a man or a women
- They should start the Hajj from Aamir's place
- They must perform the Hajj Badal according to the wish of Aamir
The eligibility of Aamir are;
- Someone who is unable to perform Hajj due to physical or medical illness
- Someone whose disease or disability is permanent
- Who can support the Badal Hajj financially.
Can I perform hajj for my deceased mother?
Yes, the Prophet Muhammad ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) has himself validated the performance of Hajj Badal on behalf of your dead mother.
Abdullaah ibn' Abbaas has reported that once a woman from Juhayna asked the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) whether she could perform Hajj on her mother's behalf, as she vowed to go for Hajj but couldn't do so as she passed away before that.
To which Prophet Muhammad ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied that;
"Yes, do Hajj on her behalf. Do you not think that you would pay it off for her if your mother were in debt? Pay off the debt that is owed to Allah, for Allah is more deserving that what is owed to Him should be paid off." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Quran and Hadiths about Hajj e Badal
Hajj e Badal is supported by many hadiths, and even the Quran signifies the importance of performing Hajj.
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbaas reported that Prophet Muhammad ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) once heard a man saying, “Labbayka ‘an Shubrumah” (Here I am, O Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى , on behalf of Shubrumah).”
To which, He ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked, "Who is Shubrumah?" The man replied that he was a relative. Then Prophet Muhammad ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked, "Have you ever done Hajj before?".
The man replied that no, he had not performed Hajj for himself. Prophet Muhammad ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied: "First do Hajj for yourself, then do Hajj on behalf of Shubrumah." (Abu Dawood and Ibn Majah).
What are the benefits of Hajj Badal?
Hajj badal is a compassionate act that has benefits for everyone involved;
- A person is allowed to perform Hajj and donate the rewards to a deceased person
- A person can perform proxy Hajj on behalf of a sick or disabled person.
Summary - Hajj Badal
Hajj e Badal or Hajj Badal is the act of performing Hajj's compulsory obligation on behalf of someone else.
A person can only perform Hajj Badal when the person on whose behalf they are performing Hajj has either died, is sick or disabled, or is too old or physically constrained to perform Hajj.
