Question:
What is the ruling of performing Umrah on behalf of another person?
Answer:
Praises are to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon prophet Muhammed.
The ulema have rebuked performing repetitive umrahs on one visit, and have considered this act an innovation (bidah).
In the case of fulfilling the obligatory hajj on behalf of someone that is deceased, or not physically able to perform it, it is allowed, provided the person has already done the obligatory hajj for himself first. The obligatory Hajj is looked at as a debt to Allah. Many of the ulema consider both hajj and umrah obligatory on an individual, and this obligatory umrah would fall under the same ruling. In the case of an optional hajj or umrah the ulema have differed. For optional deeds, the ulema have categorized them into two categories, maaliya (dealing with money), and amaliya (physical actions). In the case of maaliya, like donating money for the behalf of another individual, the ulema have said it is allowed. For amaliya, like praying, fasting, etc. many of the ulema have said it is not allowed and does not transfer to another individual.
The best thing that one can do for the deceased, is to make much duas (supplications) for them. Also to propogate the beneficial knowledge on their behalf. These things are mentioned in the hadith of rasul Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, as deeds that continue to accrue for the deceased after passing away.
And Allah knows.
Shaikh Sajid