Is it permissible for a woman who lost vision to deputize someone to perform Hajj and `Umrah on her behalf?

Q: My mother is old and suffers from vision loss. She wishes to perform Hajj. Is it permissible for her to deputize someone to perform Hajj and `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) on her behalf ? So far she has not performed the obligatory Hajj and she is now about fifty years old. May Allah reward you with the best for helping us and all Muslims.

A: It is obligatory on your mother to perform Hajj by herself if she can financially afford it. For, vision loss is not a legal excuse for exempting her from performing Hajj. Given her conditions, there is no legal excuse for her to deputize others to perform Hajj or 'Umrah on her behalf. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allâh, for those who are able to undertake the journey. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions.