Q 6:
My sister died a long time ago, and I would like to perform Hajj and 'Umrah and visit the Prophet's grave on her behalf. What is the ruling on this?
A:
If she was a legally competent person, you can perform Hajj and `Umrah on her behalf, provided that you have performed Hajj and `Umrah yourself. As for visiting the Prophet's grave, it is impermissible to set out for that purpose, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated,
Never set out except for three Masjids (mosques):
Al-Masjid Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque in Makkah), Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa (the Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem) and Al-Masjid Al-Nabawy (the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah).
A person can only set out to offer Salah (Prayer) in
Al-Masjid Al-Nabawy, and consequently greet the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the two Sahabah (Companions, may Allah be pleased with them) buried beside him. This cannot be performed on behalf of another person.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.