Q 1: is it permissible to perform Hajj on behalf of a 25-year-old man, who died without performing Hajj, and, if we perform Hajj for him, will it suffice if we perform Hajj without ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) even though he had money?

A: If Hajj is obligatory on someone and they die before performing it, the costs of performing Hajj and ‘Umrah for them should be taken from their estate and given to someone who is ready to perform Hajj on their behalf. It is permissible to perform Hajj for them without taking the expenses from their estate, if someone can be found to perform it voluntarily. It is well-known that Hajj is one of the Pillars of Islam and its obligation is not removed by the death of the person who was obliged to perform it. Imam Al-Bukhari (may Allah be merciful to him) reported in his "Sahih (Book of Authentic Hadith) that: “A woman from the tribe of Juhaynah came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, ‘My mother had vowed to perform Hajj, but she died before performing it. May I perform Hajj on her behalf?’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, ‘Yes, perform Hajj on her behalf. Tell me, if your mother had left a debt, would you not repay it? So, repay the debt owed to Allah, as Allah has more right to be repaid.’” “A woman from the tribe of Khath‘am asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, ‘O Messenger of Allah! The obligation of Hajj enjoined by Allah upon His servants has become due on my father when he is an old man, cannot sit firm on the back of the mount. Can I perform Hajj on his behalf?’ He (peace be upon him) said, ‘Yes, perform Hajj on behalf of your father.’” (Part No. 11; Page No. 88) In regard to ‘Umrah, it was related by the Five Compilers of Hadith (Imams Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa’y and Ibn Majah) that “Abu Razin Al-‘Uqayliy came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, ‘My father is a very old man and cannot perform Hajj or ‘Umrah nor could he go on a journey.’ He (peace be upon him) said, ‘Perform Hajj and ‘Umrah on behalf of your father.’” May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.