Umrah is a sacred act of worship that holds great spiritual significance in Islam. While many Muslims hope to perform Umrah themselves, there are circumstances where a person is unable to do so due to permanent physical or health-related reasons.
In such cases, Badal Umrah provides a permitted alternative, allowing Umrah to be performed on behalf of another person, in accordance with Islamic guidance.
This page explains what Badal Umrah is, who it applies to, and the conditions that must be met, helping Muslims understand this act of worship with clarity and responsibility.
What Is Badal Umrah?
Badal Umrah refers to performing Umrah on behalf of someone else who is permanently unable to perform it themselves.
The person performing the Umrah does so with the intention that the reward is for the individual on whose behalf it is performed.
Badal Umrah is rooted in authentic Islamic teachings and reflects Islam’s mercy toward those who are unable to fulfil acts of worship due to genuine hardship.
Is Badal Umrah Permissible in Islam?
Yes, Badal Umrah is permissible in Islam, based on authentic narrations and scholarly consensus.
It is allowed when:
- The person is permanently unable to perform Umrah
- There is no realistic expectation they will be able to perform Umrah in the future
- The Umrah is performed with correct intention and conditions
Temporary inability does not qualify for Badal Umrah.
Who Can Have Umrah Performed on Their Behalf?
Badal Umrah applies to individuals such as:
- Elderly persons who are physically unable to travel
- Those with chronic or severe illness
- People with permanent disabilities
- Individuals who have passed away without performing Umrah (according to scholarly opinion)
Each case should be considered carefully, with sincerity and correct intention.
Who Can Perform Badal Umrah?
The person performing Badal Umrah must:
- Be a Muslim
- Have already performed their own Umrah
- Be physically and mentally capable
- Perform Umrah correctly according to Islamic rulings
- Make a clear intention (niyyah) for the person they are representing
It is not permitted to perform Badal Umrah for someone before completing one’s own Umrah.
Intention (Niyyah) for Badal Umrah
The intention must be made before entering the state of Ihram.
The person should clearly intend:
- That the Umrah is being performed on behalf of a specific individual
- Whether that person is alive or deceased
The intention is an essential part of the validity of Badal Umrah.
How Is Badal Umrah Performed?
The actions of Badal Umrah are the same as a normal Umrah:
- Entering Ihram with the correct intention
- Performing Tawaf around the Kaaba
- Performing Sa’i between Safa and Marwah
- Cutting or shaving hair
The difference lies only in the intention, the reward is for the person being represented.
Badal Umrah vs Performing Umrah Later
It is important to distinguish between:
- Temporary inability (delay Umrah until able)
- Permanent inability (Badal Umrah applies)
If a person expects to regain the ability to perform Umrah, Badal Umrah should not be arranged.
Common Misunderstandings About Badal Umrah
Some common misconceptions include:
- Performing Badal Umrah for convenience
- Performing Badal Umrah without completing one’s own Umrah
- Treating Badal Umrah as a substitute for temporary difficulty
- Lacking clear intention
Learning the correct rulings helps ensure worship is valid and accepted.
Badal Umrah and Sincerity
Badal Umrah is an act of worship, not a transaction.
It should be carried out:
- With sincerity
- According to Islamic guidance
- Without haste or negligence
Allah knows the intentions and circumstances of every individual.
Important Clarification
IslamFreedom.com provides Islamic guidance and education only.
This page is intended to help Muslims understand when and how Badal Umrah applies.
If you wish to arrange Badal Umrah services, these are fulfilled separately via IslamFreedom.org.
Final Reminder
Islam is a religion of mercy and ease. Badal Umrah exists to ensure that those who are genuinely unable to perform Umrah themselves are not deprived of its reward.
Seeking knowledge before taking action is always encouraged.
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