The Ruling Pertaining To Performing Umrah for Both the Deceased and the Living

The correct view is that Umrah can be performed for both the living and deceased Muslims, therefore it is incorrect to say that Umrah can only be performed on behalf of the deceased Muslims. According to Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama'at, performing Umrah for deceased individuals i.e. to convey reward to them, is permissible, and it is equally permissible to perform Umrah on behalf of a living person (Muslim). According to the Islamic law, a person can dedicate the reward of any good deed, such as Salaah, fasting, charity, Hajj, or Umrah to another individual, whether that person is alive or has passed away. The evidence for the above statement can be found in Fataawa Shaami, clarified here under:

Page | 1

Translation: “Our scholars have subsequently clarified in the chapter of performing Hajj on behalf of others, that a person may transfer (i.e. convey) the reward of their good deeds and actions to another individual, whether it is Salaah, fasting, charity, or any other deemable actions. This is also mentioned in Al-Hidaayah.

Furthermore, in the chapter of Zakaat in Tataar Khaniyah, in the reference of the quotation of Al-Muheet, it is mentioned that the preferred practice for those giving voluntary charity is to intend the reward for all believing men and women, as the reward will reach all of them without diminishing the giver's own reward. This is the doctrine of the Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama’at.” (Fataawa Shaami, Volume 3, page 464, Darul Kutbul Ilmiyyah, Beirut/Zia-ul-Quran Publications, Lahore)

Additionally, Fataawa Shaami cites Bahrur-Raaiq:

Translation: “Whoever fasts, performs Salaah, or gives charity and dedicates the rewards to another person, whether deceased or alive, Page | 2

it is permissible. The reward reaches them. This is the doctrine of the Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama’at.” (Fataawa Shaami, Volume 3, page 465, Darul Kutbul Ilmiyyah, Beirut/Zia-ul-Quran Publications, Lahore)

In Summary, just as it is permissible to perform Umrah on behalf of a deceased person (Muslim) as an act of Esaal-e-Thawaab, it is also permissible to do so on behalf of a living individual.