Can a Widow in ‘Idda Appoint Someone to Fulfill Her Hajj?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

My father recently passed away, and my mother is now in her ‘idda. Before this, she had fully paid for a Hajj package, but the Hajj season falls within her ‘idda period. Can she appoint someone to perform Hajj Badal on her behalf, given that she is financially and physically able but restricted by ‘idda?

Additionally, she made a vow (nadhr) nearly 18 years ago to perform Hajj if she recovered from cancer. She has already completed her obligatory Hajj, but this vow remains unfulfilled and should be fulfilled as soon as possible. Would it be valid for someone else to fulfill this vow on her behalf?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

Yes, it would be valid for her to find someone who knows the rituals of Hajj and is not obligated to perform Hajj for themselves. However, performing a Hajj on behalf of another while they themselves are obligated to perform it is prohibitively disliked. [Ibn Humam, Fath al-Qadir; Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

It is also important to note that the rules regarding appointing someone to perform Hajj on one’s behalf include several details. It is highly recommended to consult a reliable scholar about these specifics before proceeding.

Please go through the valuable answers and links below. Insha’Allah, they will provide you with guidance and direction.

Related

• A Hajj Reader—SeekersGuidance
• Can One Perform Hajj on Behalf of Others?
• Can a Man Perform Hajj on Behalf of a Non-Mahram Woman?

Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance? You can choose from the Islamic Studies Curriculum or the Youth Islamic Studies Curriculum and progress through each course step by step.

I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.