Badal Umrah, Explained Honestly — For Whom, By Whom, With What Proof

Many families come to Badal Umrah at a tender time: after a parent has died before they could go, or when a mother or father is now too frail to travel. The wish behind it is simple. You want the person you love to have the Umrah they longed for.

This guide explains what Badal Umrah is, what scholars say about who it may be performed for, who may perform it, and what proof a family should expect from anyone they pay. We do not give religious rulings. Where scholars differ, we say so, and we encourage you to ask a scholar you trust.

What Badal Umrah is

"Badal" means substitute or replacement. A Badal Umrah is an Umrah performed by one person on behalf of another. The performer enters ihram with the intention (niyyah) of performing the Umrah for that person, and completes every rite as they would for themselves: tawaf, sa'i, and shaving or shortening the hair.

Scholars who permit it cite hadiths about performing Hajj and Umrah on behalf of others. One, narrated by Abu Razin, concerns a man whose father was very old and could not travel; the Prophet ﷺ told him: "Perform hajj and umrah on behalf of your father." (Sunan Abi Dawud 1810, graded sahih by al-Albani.)

For whom it may be performed — the scholarly range

Scholars have discussed this carefully. These are the main positions in the sources we checked.

What the sources say:

• For someone who has died. The Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools permit Umrah to be performed on behalf of a deceased person, as summarised by Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta.
• For someone permanently unable. The same source describes these schools as also permitting it for a living person who cannot perform Umrah because of old age or an illness with no hope of recovery.
• Not for a living person who is able. Fatwas published by IslamQA state that it is not permissible to perform Umrah on behalf of a living person who is able to do it themselves.

Where scholars differ:

• Whether Umrah is obligatory. Schools differ on whether Umrah is obligatory once in a lifetime or a recommended sunnah. Muhammadiyah, for example, regards it as sunnah, so heirs are not obliged to arrange it unless it was vowed.

If you are unsure whether Badal Umrah is right for your loved one, a scholar you trust can advise on your family's situation.

Who performs it, and what "verified" should mean

The person performing a Badal Umrah carries a trust. Scholars set out conditions for the performer, and families are entitled to ask how a provider checks them.

Conditions scholars mention:

• The performer is a Muslim adult of sound mind, a condition licensed Saudi provider Tawkeel also applies.
• The performer has already performed Umrah for themselves. IslamQA, citing the Saudi Standing Committee, and Islamweb both state this condition.
• One Umrah is for one person. Islamweb states that a single Umrah performed on behalf of two people is invalid. If you want Badal Umrah for both parents, that means two separate Umrahs.

What "verified" should mean in practice:

• the provider knows who the performer is, by name, and has checked their identity
• the performer has confirmed they have performed their own Umrah
• the performer knows the rites properly
• the provider has a track record you can ask about

Saudi authorities have warned the public about fake advertisements offering to perform pilgrimage on behalf of others, and have arrested people running them. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah urges people to use official, licensed channels. A low price and no proof are warning signs.

The evidence a family should expect

You will not be in Makkah, so the evidence is how you know the Umrah was performed. Reasonable evidence includes:

• A video of the niyyah, with the performer in ihram, naming the person the Umrah is for
• Photos or videos of each rite: tawaf, sa'i, and the shaving or shortening of the hair
• A written report with the date, times and the miqat where ihram was entered
• A completion certificate naming the person the Umrah was performed for
• Where offered, a live video call during the Umrah

Evidence shows that the rites were performed. Whether an act of worship is accepted rests with Allah alone, and no provider can promise it.

What it costs and why prices vary

There is no official price for Badal Umrah, and prices vary widely. What you pay usually reflects:

• Who performs it: a vetted individual, a licensed provider or a provider's own team
• The evidence included: a certificate alone, or videos of every rite and a written report
• Timing: a specific date, such as a Friday, in Ramadan or on an anniversary, can cost more
• How many Umrahs: each person needs their own Umrah, so each is priced separately

Be cautious of prices that seem far below others, especially with no explanation of who performs the Umrah or what proof you will receive. Ask what happens if the Umrah cannot be performed in the agreed window: a clear refund policy is part of a trustworthy service.

Questions to ask any provider before paying

1. Who will perform the Umrah, and how have you checked them?
2. Has the performer already performed their own Umrah?
3. Will it be one Umrah for one person?
4. What evidence will I receive, and when?
5. When will it be performed, and is that date confirmed in writing?
6. What happens if it cannot be performed in that window? Is there a refund?
7. Are you a licensed business I can verify, and how do I pay you safely?

If you would like Badal Umrah performed for a loved one, with a verified performer, a video of each rite and a printed certificate, see our Badal Umrah service.