Performing Umrah on behalf of the deceased is a cherished act of devotion in Islam, allowing believers to offer spiritual rewards to their departed parents or fellow Muslims. Many individuals traveling to the Holy Lands wish to maximize their journey by performing the pilgrimage not only for themselves but also for their loved ones who have passed away. This article clarifies the permissibility of this act and the specific procedure for performing multiple Umrahs during a single visit.

Permissibility of Proxy Umrah

Islamic scholars affirm that it is permissible to perform Umrah on behalf of one’s parents or any other Muslim after their death. This act serves as a form of ongoing charity and supplication for the deceased, benefiting them in the Hereafter. There is no objection in Sharia to dedicating the reward of this ritual to those who have passed away.

Procedure for Multiple Umrahs in One Visit

A common question arises regarding the logistics of performing Umrah for oneself and for others during the same trip. If a pilgrim wishes to perform Umrah for themselves and their deceased parents in a single visit, a specific order and procedure must be followed to ensure validity.

Scholars outline the following steps for performing Umrah for multiple persons (e.g., three people: oneself and two parents):

  1. Priority of the Self: The pilgrim must first perform Umrah for themselves before performing it on behalf of others.
  2. Tahleel (Exiting Ihram): After completing the rites of the first Umrah, the pilgrim must perform Tahleel—exiting the state of ritual consecration—by shaving or clipping the hair.
  3. Re-entering Ihram from At-Tan’eem: To begin the next Umrah for a deceased relative, the pilgrim must leave the Haram boundary. They should go to Wadi At-Tan’eem (the nearest Miqat for those in Makkah, often associated with Masjid Aisha) to assume the Ihram again.
  4. Repetition: This cycle—performing the rites, shaving/clipping, and returning to At-Tan’eem to renew Ihram—is repeated for each subsequent person on whose behalf the Umrah is being performed.