Hajj on behalf of others

Q 2: My mother suffers from a disease in her legs and can hardly walk. In addition, her financial situation cannot support performing `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage). Yet, she has a son working in (Part No. 10; Page No. 62) Saudi Arabia, who can perform `Umrah or Hajj on her behalf. Taking into consideration that he has already performed `Umrah and Hajj for himself, is it permissible for him to perform both on her behalf though his financial situation cannot afford that? Please guide us.

A: It is not permissible to perform Hajj on behalf of others unless they are permanently unable or dead. However, anyone who may recover in the near future should wait until they get well and become able to perform Hajj. If this is the case with your mother, she should wait until she recovers and becomes able to perform Hajj by herself or in your company being carried aloft on a recliner in Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka`bah) and Sa`y (going between Safa and Marwah during Hajj and `Umrah), and you can throw the pebbles on her behalf.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.