is not by way of agency. Rather, it is legislation from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him; thus, in reality, the person fasting is acting in his own capacity, not as an agent. This is why one may fast on behalf of his deceased relative whether or not the deceased left instructions to do so. The matter here is not one of agency; rather, it is one of taking the place of another person by the command of the Sacred Law.

The third category of acts of worship is that in which agency is valid with further detail, such as Hajj. Agency is permissible in its obligatory form for one who is unable to perform Hajj—that is, one whose inability to perform Hajj is permanent. Its details will come later.

The important point is that the basic rule concerning rights owed to Allah is that agency is not permissible in them, because their purpose is to establish worship of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and this is only valid when performed by the person himself. If you were to appoint someone else, would his action make you feel that your faith had increased? The answer is no. Therefore, the basic rule regarding rights owed to Allah is that agency is not valid in them. This is the governing principle, because their purpose is worship of Allah; and this is not valid when performed by someone other than the legally responsible person. Thus, we do not permit agency in any act of worship except where the Sacred Law has provided for it. This is the basic rule. Let us consider:

First: Has agency been prescribed in prayer?

The answer: No—not in its obligatory or voluntary form.

Has making it up on behalf of one who died owing prayers been prescribed?

The answer: No. It has not been prescribed, neither for obligatory nor voluntary prayers.

Thus, agency is not valid in prayer in the case of inability, nor