Umrah, one of the important pilgrimages in Islam, is of invaluable spiritual importance. As compared to Hajj, which is compulsory once in a lifetime, Umrah is a voluntary worship activity, yet with much merit. Although the main aim of some Muslims is to perform Umrah personally, some situations can make people unable to perform such pilgrimage. There is a general question, Can Umrah be carried out on behalf of other people? This paper is going to address this question and shed light on the practice.
What is Umrah?
Umrah is a religious journey to Mecca which Muslims make all the year round. It entails various rituals of Tawaf (circumambulation) around the Kaaba, Sa’i (walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah) and shaving or hair cutting. Although not mandatory as Hajj, it is strongly advised and it is a way of Muslims to get forgiveness and boost their faith.
Umrah 2025 is performed by many pilgrims during specific months especially the holy month of Ramadan because pilgrims are assured of special rewards. The journey could be tremendously rewarding, yet not all people could go to Mecca to perform Umrah because of the financial and health reasons or any other reasons. This has also given rise to the dilemma that Umrah can be undertaken on behalf of others who can not make the trip.
Performing Umrah on Behalf of Others: The Basics
Yes, Umrah may be undertaken on behalf. Islamic thinkers are mostly in agreement that it is possible to carry Umrah on behalf of a person who cannot complete the task because of a justifiable reason. This comprises of the physically incapacitated like the aged, the sick or the dead.
Umrah is called Umrah al-Badal when it is done on behalf of another individual. This type of Umrah enables an individual who is doing the pilgrimage to perform on behalf of the person that cannot do the pilgrimage.
Who Can Perform Umrah on Behalf of Someone Else?
Certain rules are directed to who has the right to undertake Umrah in place of another individual. Such an individual is usually expected to have already made the pilgrimage himself, so they should know the rituals as well as the meaning of the act.
- For the living: An individual has the option of doing the Umrah on behalf of a living person who is unable to do so. This can be caused by reasons such as medical conditions, lack of funds or other justifiable challenges. It is necessary to mention that the individual, on behalf of whom the Umrah is made, must have the desire to perform the pilgrimage but did not manage to do it because of these difficulties.
- For the deceased: It is also allowed that Umrah can be carried out on behalf of a deceased person. In the present case, it is regarded as charity. In the case of the dead people, visiting Makkah as Umrah is a method of gaining rewards and praying to forgive them, particularly when they had already indicated their wish to carry out the same but were not able to do so.
The Process of Performing Umrah on Behalf of Someone Else
It would take a few steps to carry out Umrah on behalf of another. Here's a general outline:
- Intention (Niyyah): Just like any worshiping activity in Islam, the initial move is to make the right intention. Individual making the Umrah should make a particular intention to undertake pilgrimage on behalf of another individual who may be living or dead.
- Rituals: Whether it is on behalf of oneself or others, the rituals of Umrah are the same. The person who undertakes an Umrah is supposed to carry out all the necessary rite of passage, like the Tawaf, Sa’i and hair cutting or shaving, just the way they would do to themselves.
- Recitation: The individual who is going through with the Umrah will repeat the name of the individual he/she is rendering the pilgrimage to the rituals, especially on the Tawaf.
- Completion: When the rituals are done, the Umrah person will have completed his task on behalf of the other person and the act will have been completed.
The Importance of Performing Umrah on Behalf of Others
Representing another during Umrah is not only one of the means to assist the physically incapacitated to undertake the journey but also a potent act of loving and caring. The act enables them to show the love and respect of the others by providing them with this special pilgrimage that may lead to a lot of spiritual benefits both to the one attending it and the one on whom the Umrah was done in his name.
When the individual does Umrah on behalf of a dead person, he/she thinks that the dead person will be benefitted by the worshiping practice because it is the demonstration of the love and good intentions of the person doing the Umrah. It further provides a chance to pray to the dead so that Allah would forgive their sins and enable them to rest in peace in the afterlife.
Can Hajar Travels Assist in Performing Umrah on Behalf of Others?
There are several packages provided by Hajar Travels, a reputable travel company that is dealing with religious tours, to individuals who are ready to represent other people to perform Umrah. Perhaps you are taking Umrah on behalf of a friend or a relative who cannot afford or cannot do the pilgrimage due to a medical or financial issue and Hajar Travels will offer you a personalized service to fulfill the pilgrimage in the most effective and respectful way to the Islam traditions.
By selecting Hajar Travels, you can be sure that the Umrah of another person will be performed in an efficient and accurate manner, which means that you will also be able to grant a loved one his/her religious desires. Their long-term team will carefully instruct you through the whole process and make sure that the rituals are done properly.
Conclusion
The Umrah on behalf of others is a special chance which Muslims should use in the practice of love, respect, and devotion in Islam. It is highly spiritual, and it can bring in great rewards whether it is done by a living person who has limited financial or physical capabilities to do the journey or by a person who has already passed away as a representative.
In case you are willing to complete this religious duty either on your behalf or on behalf of others, Hajar Travels offers effective and professional services that would guarantee you a smooth sailing and a dignified Umrah. You are well overdoing this lovely piece of worship, and we will assist you in it, and tranquilise those who cannot, themselves, make the pilgrimage.
