When performing Hajj with money gift on behalf of a deceased individual, questions often arise regarding the validity of the funds and the eligibility of the person performing the pilgrimage. Specifically, if a donor provides funds for another person to perform Hajj for the deceased, does the source of money or the proxy’s history affect the acceptance of the act?
Islamic scholars clarify the rulings on using gifted funds and the strict conditions for those acting as a proxy (Badal).
The Use of Gifted Funds
In principle, there is nothing wrong with performing Hajj using money received as a gift.
- Validity: If a person donates money to another to cover the expenses of Hajj on behalf of a deceased relative or friend, the pilgrimage is religiously valid. The source of the funding—being a gift rather than personal earnings—does not diminish the reward or validity of the act for the deceased.
Prerequisites for the Proxy
A critical question often asked is whether an individual can perform this proxy Hajj even if they have not performed Hajj for themselves before.
- The Ruling: The answer is no. It is a mandatory condition that the person authorized to perform Hajj on behalf of others (including the deceased) must have already performed the obligatory Hajj for themselves.
- Priority: If the designated person has not yet fulfilled their own obligation, they are not eligible to serve as a proxy. They must first discharge their own duty to Allah before undertaking the pilgrimage for another.
Rewards
Regarding whether the Hajj is “liable” (valid or binding) on both the donor and the performer:
- For the Deceased: If the proxy has met the condition of having performed their own Hajj, the pilgrimage is valid, and the reward is directed to the deceased.
- For the Donor: The person donating the money receives the reward for financial sacrifice and facilitating a good deed (Sadaqah).
- For the Proxy: The person performing the physical act is rewarded for their service and effort in aiding a fellow believer.
