Performing Umrah e Badal (عمرہ بدل) — or Umrah on behalf of another person — is an act of deep devotion and spiritual generosity. Many Muslims, especially from India, Saudi Arabia, and Gulf countries, often ask:
“Can Umrah be performed on behalf of a living person?”
To understand this in the light of Qur’an, Hadith, and Fiqh, we must explore the concept of Umrah niyabat (عمرہ نیابت) — deputed or proxy Umrah — and its conditions.
🌙 Understanding Umrah e Badal
The term Umrah e Badal means performing Umrah on behalf of someone else, either deceased (marhoom) or living (zinda shakhs). In Islamic jurisprudence, this act is known as Umrah niyabat or proxy Umrah (deputed Umrah).
Just like Hajj e Badal, where a pilgrim performs Hajj for another, Umrah e Badal follows similar principles under Fiqh rulings. The purpose is to seek reward for another person — fulfilling their wish or conveying sawab on their behalf.
🕋 Can Umrah be performed on behalf of a living person?
According to the majority of Islamic scholars, including the Hanafi, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools of thought, it is permissible to perform Umrah e Badal for a living person — provided that the living person is unable to perform it themselves due to a genuine reason, such as old age or chronic illness.
However, if a person is healthy and capable, then others should not perform Umrah on their behalf.
📖 Reference:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Perform Hajj on behalf of your father and mother.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood – Book of Hajj)
This Hadith establishes that Umrah or Hajj on behalf of another is valid, particularly when the person is unable to perform it due to permanent inability.
🌿 Conditions for Performing Umrah e Badal
Performing Umrah on behalf of another living person requires certain conditions (Umrah karne wale ki shara’it):
- The proxy pilgrim (wakil or niyabat karne wala) must have already performed their own Umrah or Hajj.
- The person on whose behalf it is being performed (muakkil) must consent to it, especially if alive.
- The intention (niyyah) must be made clearly before Ihram — specifying the name of the person.
- The Umrah e Badal should be performed sincerely for Allah’s sake and not for monetary benefit.
💫 Difference between Umrah e Badal for Deceased and Living
| Type | Islamic Ruling | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Umrah for deceased (Umrah for marhoom) | Strongly recommended | Can be done without wasiyat |
| Umrah for living person | Permissible | Only if person is unable to travel due to health or age |
As per the Hanafi view on Umrah e Badal, if a living person is capable but asks someone else to perform Umrah on their behalf out of convenience — it is not valid. But if they are physically unable (e.g., elderly or permanently sick), it is permissible.
🕌 Fiqh and Shariah Opinions (Islamic Schools of Thought)
- Hanafi: Allowed for both deceased and permanently disabled living person.
- Shafi’i & Hanbali: Allowed for deceased and living person who cannot perform due to incapacity.
- Maliki: Preferred for deceased only, but not strictly forbidden for living.
Thus, Umrah e Badal is a form of ibadah niyabat (worship by deputation), accepted under the majority of Islamic rulings (fiqh views on Umrah e Badal).
📍 Regional Relevance: Umrah e Badal and Online Qurbani in India
In India — from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kolkata — many Muslims wish to perform Umrah e Badal or Qurbani on behalf of others.
With modern technology, platforms like Qurbani Easy have simplified such noble acts. Whether you wish to donate Qurbani online, perform Online Sadaqah Qurbani, or plan an Online Africa Qurbani, all can now be arranged transparently and securely within India.
Qurbani Easy operates on a 100% Zakat-based policy — meaning, your Qurbani is not delivered to you but directly distributed among the needy across India.
🌐 For Indians Living Abroad (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Canada, Australia, USA, Germany)
If you are an Indian national living in the Gulf countries — especially in Saudi Arabia, UAE, or Turkey — or in Canada, Australia, Germany, or the USA, and wish to donate your hissa Qurbani or arrange an Umrah e Badal for your parents or relatives in India, Qurbani Easy offers a trusted platform for you.
Many people from Makkah, Madinah, and Istanbul search using Arabic or Turkish terms like عمرہ بدل, نيابة عن شخص حي, or proxy Umrah, and find Indian services through online search. With Qurbani Easy’s transparent operations, your contribution reaches deserving families in India safely.