Q: A sister of mine named "Tufaylah" died thirty years ago, before she could perform the obligatory duty of Hajj. I now have a daughter named "Tuflah". I
asked someone to perform a proxy Hajj on behalf of my late sister and told him my sister’s name. After the proxy had performed the Hajj and returned home, we talked about it and he mentioned that he had performed the Hajj for my daughter "Tuflah",
who is still alive, and he did not perform it for the one he was deputized to do it for. Please bear in mind that my daughter "Tuflah", whom he performed Hajj for, is still alive and she neither knew about it nor was her permission sought concerning this Hajj. I would like to ask Your Eminence to advise me concerning the above-mentioned Hajj and about what the proxy did and the error that he made.
A:
The Hajj performed is on behalf of your sister "Tufaylah", whom you mentioned to the proxy. The mistake that the proxy made in the name has no effect, this is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Actions depend upon intentions, and every person shall have but that which they have intended.”
Therefore, it is your intention i.e. The delegator and not the intention of the delegated party that counts.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.