Hajj is one of the five pillars and is performed in Makkah as a compulsory pilgrimage, which all Muslims should perform at least once in their lifetimes, assuming they are capable of fulfilling that requirement. Various life situations, though, occasionally prevent people from being able to carry out this sacred pilgrimage ritual. Hajj Badal is a solution to that.

What is Hajj Badal? (Badal Hajj Meaning)

Badal in Arabic means “substitute” or “proxy,” so Hajj Badal (sometimes called Badal Hajj and more popularly referred to as Hajj-e-Badal) effectively means that Hajj pilgrimage is performed on behalf of someone else. It enables a person who is, for whatever reason, unable to perform the Hajj physically or who is permanently disabled to get the Hajj obligation done through a qualified substitute. This really speaks well of the mercy and flexibility within Islamic law that even such incapacitated individuals would have this significant pillar of their faith accomplished for them.

The Benefits of Badal Hajj (Badal Hajj Benefit)

There are great spiritual advantages in performing or arranging Hajj Badal both for the person on whose behalf it is done and for the proxy. An act of failing to perform Hajj entails that for such a person, their aspiration, desire, and duty throughout life had come to be accomplished, which might gain a huge reward from Allah (SWT).

Continuous charity) (Sadaqah Jariyah):

Hajj Badal is considered a continuous charity for a dead person and the reward that it renders in the grave. It is a very lovely tribute to his or her memory and a contribution to the state of his or her spirit in the Hereafter. To the loved ones, especially to children who are performing Hajj Badal for their parents, such is a very deep act of love, respect, and filial piety (birr al-walidayn).

Spiritual Growth of Performer:

Hajj Badal benefits the person who performs it spiritually. It is a very good time to energize the faith, seek and get forgiveness, and come closer to Allah (SWT) through this selfless act of devotion.

Strengthening Community Bonds:

Hajj Badal strengthens interrelations in the ummah by pulling together concerned Muslims with a view to their collective responsibility towards one another and cares for one another. Conversion of Hajj Badal brings a great spiritual benefit for both the person about whose performance it has been carried out and for the proxy.

Realize a Religious Duty:

For this person who cannot hold a personal pilgrimage, it now pays off a lifelong yearning and religious obligation, which will yield to him great rewards from Allah (SWT).

A Never-ending Charity:

As for a dead person, to them, the Hajj Badal becomes a long-lasting form of charity, with its reward ever approaching them within their grave. It is a very nice way to remind them to contribute towards their spiritual well-being in the Hereafter.

Expression of Love and Responsiveness:

Such, especially to children who perform Hajj Badal for their parents, becomes a very deep way of showing love, reverence, and piety (birr al-walidayn) toward the parents.

Spiritual Growth of Performer:

Hajj Badal is for the spiritual benefit of the performer. It is a time to re-energize faith to seek forgiveness and closeness to Allah (SWT) through this selfless deed of worship.

Interrelationships:

Hajj Badal strengthens ties in the ummah by holding together concerned Muslims in regard to the collective responsibility they share with one another and for each other.

Hajj-e-Badal for a Deceased Person

Hajj Badal is mostly applied to individuals who have passed away, even if they could have undertaken their obligatory Hajj pilgrimage, for they had both means and ability in their lifetime. In such cases, it becomes highly encouraged, and in some cases obligatory in certain schools of thought, for heirs to arrange Hajj Badal from the inheritance of that deceased individual. Where there is no inheritance, or if the inheritance is not enough, family members or others who are good are welcome to sponsor this. It provides relief for a religious debt owed to Allah and could free the deceased from this unfulfilled obligation.

Hajj-e-Badal in Quran and Hadith

While the Quran itself does not describe Hajj Badal, its admissibility and practice are based on Sunnah and ijma, and proof for it is established through various authentic Hadith that illustrate the Prophet (PBUH)‘s approval and directions in performing Hajj on behalf of others. Here are key Hadith that form the basis for Hajj Badal:

The Hadith of Juhaina’s Woman

Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates that a woman from the clan of Juhaina came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said, “My mother had vowed to perform Hajj but died before doing so. Can I perform Hajj in place of my mother?” The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Yes, do Hajj for her. If the mother had any other debt, would you have paid it? This is a debt unto Allah, and He has more right to be paid.” (Sahih Bukhari) This Hadith stands as a firm pillar whereby Hajj can be performed on behalf of deceased persons and is equated with the concept of paying debts.

The Hadith of Shubrumah

Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) heard a man say: “Labbayka ‘an Shubrumah”. He said: “Who is Shubrumah?” He replied: “A brother or relative of mine.” He said: “Have you performed Hajj on your own behalf?” He said: “No.” The Prophet (PBUH) said: “First perform Hajj for yourself, then for Shubrumah.” (Sunan Abi Dawud) This Hadith lays an important precondition: he must first do his own Hajj.

The Hadith of Abu Razin Al-‘Uqaili

Abu Razin Al-‘Uqaili (RA) narrated that he came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, my father is an old man and he cannot perform Hajj or ‘Umrah, and he is not able to ride the mount (due to old age).” He said: “Perform Hajj and ‘Umrah on behalf of your father.”  This Hadith includes the people still alive, having no hope of ever getting fit again to perform these rites.

What is the Fatwa on Hajj Badal?

There is a general agreement among Islamic scholars from various schools of thought on the permissibility and conditions of Hajj Badal:

1. For a deceased person: This is the case when they were financially compelled to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage and physically able but died before doing so.
2. A living person who is unable to perform: These range from the chronically ill whose condition leaves no prospect for recovery to the very aged and physically weak to undertake such a journey.

Here’s what Fatwas have said:

• Not for those who can perform Hajj: It is impermissible to do Hajj Badal with someone who physically can do Hajj but doesn’t want to or someone who is temporarily ill and will likely recover at some future point.
• Not for the financially incapable: Hajj is an obligation for financially capable ones. Thus, Hajj Badal is invalid for one who was never financially able to perform Hajj in their lifetime.
• One Hajj Badal per person: Generally, a man can do Hajj Badal for only one person every Hajj season. You are not allowed to do Hajj for two or more persons in one Hajj.

What is the Intention of Hajj Badal?

Niyyah is the intention because of which Hajj Badal is important, and it should be made solely for Allah’s sake. The person performing Hajj Badal should also make it clear that this is being performed on behalf of that specific individual. A proxy should say something like:

• “Labbayka Hajjan ‘ a ni [Name of the person]” (O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj on behalf of [insert name]).
• “Allāhumma hādhihi ʿan [Name of the person]” (O Allah, this Hajj is on behalf of [insert name]).

The intention is usually made at the entrance to the Ihram. This intention must be purely for fulfilling the obligation of the particular person and not for self-centred gain or exhibition. Thus, anyone can perform Hajj Badal for a person.

Who Can Perform Hajj Badal?

To ensure the validity and acceptance of the Hajj Badal, specific conditions apply to the person acting as the proxy:

1. Muslim: The proxy must be a Muslim.
2. Completed Their Own Obligatory Hajj: This is a fundamental condition, as established by the Hadith of Shubrumah. A person cannot perform Hajj Badal for another before they have fulfilled their own fard (obligatory) Hajj.
3. Sane and Physically Capable: The proxy must be in good physical and mental health to perform all the rites of Hajj correctly.
4. Trustworthy and Sincere: The chosen representative should be a pious, knowledgeable, and trustworthy individual who understands the rituals of Hajj and will perform them diligently.
5. Appointed by the Deceased/Incapacitated (or their heirs): The proxy must have received explicit permission to perform the Hajj on behalf of the individual. For a deceased person, this can be through their will or the consent of their heirs.

Can a Person Perform Multiple Hajj Badal?

But, generally, one is intended for one person for one Hajj season with respect to Hajj Badal. This means that an individual proxy will not perform Hajj for two or more people together on the same Hajj trip. A person who has already accomplished his obligatory Hajj might certainly offer Hajj Badal for various individuals during different Hajj seasons. For instance, he might perform Hajj Badal for his dead mother in one year and for his dead father in another year.

Three Key Conditions for Hajj Badal

To summarize the most critical conditions for Hajj Badal to be valid:

1. Necessity: Hajj Badal is only permissible when the original person was unable to perform Hajj due to death, chronic and incurable illness, or extreme old age. It is not for those who simply chose not to go or who are temporarily unwell.
2. Proxy’s Own Hajj: The person performing Hajj Badal (the proxy) must have already completed their own obligatory Hajj.
3. Clear Intention: The proxy must make a clear and sincere intention (niyyah) to perform Hajj on behalf of the specific individual at the time of entering Ihram.

How Much Does Hajj Cost Per Person on Hajj Badal?

The cost of Hajj is variable, depending on different factors such as:

• Place of Origin: Different costs of travel from one country to another.
• Types of Packages: Different packages promise different levels of comfort and accommodation (e.g. near Haramm with VIP tents in Mina, any kind of private transportation).
• Duration of Stay: Taking a package for a longer term may cost more overall.
• Government-Tied versus Private Operators. Government Hajj schemes are usually cheaper, although they offer limited slots. The private operator provides the widest options, including luxury packages.
• Exchange Rate Fluctuations: A currency format can change the final cost considerably.

It is advisable to inquire from reliable agencies like Taqwa Tours Hajj & Umrah Service in UK within your locality about current prices for their packages. Payment for Hajj Badal often covers all arrangements for the proxy to undertake the pilgrimage on behalf of the designee.