Umrah Badal: Performing Umrah on Behalf of Others

Quick answer: Umrah Badal means performing Umrah on behalf of someone else, usually a parent or relative who has passed away or who is too old or ill to travel. Most scholars say the person performing it should already have completed their own Umrah, and they make the intention for the other person when entering Ihram. The rites are exactly the same as a normal Umrah.

Many British Muslims lose a parent who always hoped to visit Makkah, or have an elderly mother or father who can no longer manage the journey. Umrah Badal is one of the most loving gifts you can give them. This guide explains who it can be done for, the conditions, and how it works in practice, with a note on where scholars differ.

What does Umrah Badal mean?

Badal means "substitute" or "in place of". In Umrah Badal you act as a substitute for another Muslim, performing the full Umrah with the intention that it is theirs. The reward of the Umrah is for them, and you are rewarded for the effort and kindness of doing it.

The practice is based on well-known hadith. A man asked the Prophet ﷺ about his elderly father, who could not perform Hajj or Umrah or even sit on a mount, and he ﷺ replied: "Perform Hajj and Umrah on behalf of your father" (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi). In another narration in Bukhari, a woman asked whether she could perform Hajj for her father who was too old to ride, and she was told she could.

Who can you perform Umrah Badal for?

Broadly, scholars allow Umrah Badal for two groups of people:

• Someone who has passed away, whether or not they performed Umrah in their lifetime. This is the most common case among families we speak to.
• Someone alive who is permanently unable to perform Umrah themselves, for example because of old age, a long-term illness with no expected recovery, or a serious disability that makes the journey impossible.

It is generally not valid for a living person who is healthy and able to go but simply chooses not to. Temporary obstacles, such as a short illness or a busy year at work, are usually not a reason for Badal either, because the person can still go later.

If your parent can still travel with support, it may be worth exploring that first. Our Umrah packages for elderly pilgrims are built around shorter walks, careful hotel choice and a slower pace.

What are the conditions for Umrah Badal?

The main conditions mentioned by scholars are:

1. You should have done your own Umrah first. This is based on the hadith of a man who made the Talbiyah for someone called Shubrumah; the Prophet ﷺ asked if he had performed Hajj for himself, and told him to do so first. Scholars apply the same principle to Umrah.
2. You must be a Muslim, adult and of sound mind, able to perform the rites correctly.
3. The intention must be for that person, made when entering Ihram, not added halfway through.
4. One Umrah is for one person. You cannot share a single Umrah between two parents. If you want to perform Umrah for both, you complete two separate Umrahs.
5. For a living person, many scholars say their permission or request is needed, since they are still able to give it.

A man can perform Umrah Badal for a woman and a woman can perform it for a man. You do not need to be related, although most people perform it for family.

How do you perform Umrah Badal step by step?

The rites are the same as any Umrah. The difference is only in the intention.

1. Enter Ihram at the miqat (or before it, for example on the plane). Make the intention in your heart that this Umrah is for the person, and say the Talbiyah naming them, for example: Labbayka 'Umratan 'an followed by their name, meaning "Here I am for Umrah on behalf of...". If you forget the name, the intention in your heart is enough.
2. Perform Tawaf, seven circuits of the Kaaba, followed by two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim or anywhere in the mosque.
3. Perform Sa'i, seven laps between Safa and Marwah.
4. Shave or trim the hair to leave Ihram.

Make plenty of dua for the person throughout, using their name. If you need a refresher on the rites themselves, our step-by-step Umrah guide walks through each stage.

The Ihram restrictions are the same as for your own Umrah, so avoid perfume, cutting hair or nails, and (for men) stitched clothing until you finish. Our page on Umrah duas and the Talbiyah covers the words to learn before you go.

Can I do Umrah Badal on the same trip as my own Umrah?

Yes, many people do. A common pattern is to perform your own Umrah on arrival, rest for a day or two, then perform Umrah Badal.

For the second Umrah, people already in Makkah must leave the Haram boundary to enter Ihram. Most go to Masjid Aisha at Tan'im, which is the nearest point and a short taxi ride from the Haram. Some people instead travel to Madinah first and enter Ihram at the Madinah miqat (Dhul Hulayfah, also called Abyar Ali) on the way back to Makkah, which gives a natural rhythm to the trip. A private road transfer from Madinah to Makkah can stop at the miqat so you can change and pray there.

Scholars have different views on performing many Umrahs in quick succession from Tan'im. Some discourage it, while others allow it, especially when each Umrah is for a different deceased relative. If you plan to perform several, ask a scholar you trust and pace yourself so you can still pray in the Haram with focus.

Where do scholars differ on Umrah Badal?

The broad principle of performing Umrah for the deceased and the permanently unable is widely accepted. The details are where opinions vary, for example:

• Whether the condition of doing your own Umrah first is strictly required or strongly recommended.
• Whether Umrah can be performed for a living person who has not explicitly asked for it.
• Whether paying someone to perform Umrah Badal is acceptable, and on what terms.
• How often a person should repeat Umrah from Tan'im in a single trip.

We are a travel company, not a fatwa service, so on any of these points we recommend speaking to a scholar or imam you trust, ideally one who knows your family's school of thought.

Should I pay someone to perform Umrah Badal?

Some families who cannot travel ask a person in Makkah to perform Umrah Badal for them. Many scholars allow covering the performer's costs, but there are risks. You cannot easily confirm the Umrah was performed, by whom, or with the right intention.

If you go down this route, choose someone you personally know and trust, who has completed their own Umrah, and who understands the rites. Be cautious of anonymous online services. If it is possible for you or a close relative to travel, performing it yourself carries a personal meaning that is hard to replace.

Other ways to benefit a loved one who has passed away

Umrah Badal is not the only way to send reward to a parent who has died. Scholars mention regular dua for them, giving charity on their behalf, paying off their debts, and keeping ties with their friends and relatives. These can be done from home in the UK, at any time.

While in Makkah and Madinah, you can also make long, sincere dua for them at the Multazam, on Mount Safa and during Tawaf. Our guide to the Kaaba, the Black Stone and the Multazam explains these places and how to approach them safely.

If you are planning a trip that includes Umrah Badal, tell us when you enquire. We can suggest a length of stay that leaves room for rest between Umrahs, and you can contact our team for a no-pressure quote.

Related guides: Performing Umrah Alone from the UK: Solo Travel Guide · Umrah in a Wheelchair: Guide for Disabled Pilgrims · Ramadan Umrah Guide: Planning, Prices and Tips

Frequently asked questions

Can I perform Umrah Badal if I have never done my own Umrah?

Most scholars say you should complete your own Umrah first, based on the hadith of Shubrumah. On a single trip, you can simply perform your own Umrah first and then the Badal afterwards.

Can a woman perform Umrah Badal for her father?

Yes. A woman can perform Umrah Badal for a man and a man can perform it for a woman. The hadith about the woman asking on behalf of her elderly father is one of the main proofs for Badal.

Can one Umrah be done for both parents?

No, one Umrah is performed for one person. To perform Umrah for both your mother and father, you complete two separate Umrahs, each with its own Ihram and intention.

Where do I enter Ihram for a second Umrah in Makkah?

You need to go outside the Haram boundary, and most people use Masjid Aisha at Tan'im, a short taxi ride away. Alternatively, you can enter Ihram at the Madinah miqat if you are travelling from Madinah to Makkah.

Do I need to say the person's name?

Saying their name in the Talbiyah is recommended, but the intention in your heart is what counts. If you forget their name at the moment of Ihram, your Umrah Badal is still valid according to scholars.