Q: Is it permissible for me to perform Hajj on behalf of my father who is still alive, knowing that I have not performed Hajj for myself yet? If I intend to perform `Umrah (Minor pilgrimage) in Ramadan Insha'a Allah (If Allah wills) and to visit Al Madinah where the Prophet's Mosque exists (peace be upon him), what would you advise me to do after departing from Riyadh? May Allah bless your work and religion for the sake of all Muslims.

A: You should perform Hajj for yourself first. Afterwards, it will be permissible for you to perform Hajj on behalf of your father in case he is incapable of doing so due to old age or an incurable illness. The same applies to `Umrah. Moreover, it is permissible to set out on a journey to visit the Prophet’s Mosque (peace be upon him) and not the Prophet’s grave (peace be upon him) or any other grave, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (Part No. 11; Page No. 79)  Do not set out on a journey but to three mosques: Al-Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque), this Masjid of mine (the Prophet's Mosque), and Al-Aqsa Masjid (Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem) But it is permissible for whoever visits Al-Masjid Al-Nabawy to convey peace upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) and upon his two Sahabahs (Companions); Abu Bakr and `Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them), and it is also permissible to visit the graves of Al-Baqi` and the martyrs and to supplicate to Allah for them, and to ask of Him to have mercy upon them, and to remember death and what comes after it. Moreover, it is permissible for a person to visit the Masjid of Quba' to offer prayer there based on the various Hadiths narrated in this regard.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.