The sacred Rites of Pilgrimage cannot be on behalf of two People

Question :

All praise is due to Allâh, we go to Makkah Al- Mukarramah every year to perform 'Umrah during the blessed month of Ramadhan. Every time we go, I make intentions to perform 'Umrah for my father, and then the next time I make intentions to perform it for my mother. However, the last time we went I intended it for both of them together. Then when I asked about this 'Umrah, I was told that it is counted for me and not for them. Is this correct?

Answer:

Yes, this is correct according to the people of knowledge.

They say that verily the sacred rites (of pilgrimage) cannot be on behalf of two people. The sacred rites can only be for one person. Either it is for the person (performing it) or his father or his mother and so forth. It is not possible for the person to say the Talbiyyah (for intending the Hajj or 'Umrah) for two people. If this is done, it is not correct for them and the pilgrimage is for him (i.e., the person who is making it).

However, I say that the person should make the righteous deeds for himself, such as 'Umrah, Hajj, charity, prayer, recitation of the Qur'an and other than that. This is because the person is in need of these righteous deeds. A day will come when he will wish that there is even one good deed in his record of deeds. The Prophet did not direct his Ummah to dedicate righteous deeds to their mothers and fathers, whether they are living or dead. The Prophet only directed (his Ummah) to supplicate for the deceased when he said:
"When the person dies, his deeds are cut off except for three: perpetual charity or knowledge from which benefit is gained or a righteous child who supplicates for him."

Notice his statement: "or a righteous child who supplicates for him." He did not say: "or a righteous child who recites Qur'an for him or prays two Rak'ahs for him or performs 'Umrah or Hajj for him or fasts for him." Rather, he said: "or a righteous child who supplicates for him," even though the context of the discussion is concerning the righteous deeds. This proves that it is better for the person to supplicate for his parents instead of performing righteous deeds for them that he dedicates for them.

In spite of this, there is no harm that a person does a righteous deed while making it for his parents or one of them. However, concerning Hajj or 'Umrah, he cannot make the Talbiyyah when intending the act for both of them.

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