The deputy must enter the state of ihram from the principal’s own town, or from the place where that person first became financially able to undertake the journey. This is supported by the report transmitted by Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with him): A woman from the tribe of Khathʿam said, “Messenger of Allah, my father has reached the time when the pilgrimage has become obligatory, yet he is an old man who cannot remain firmly seated on a mount. May I perform ḥajj on his behalf?” He replied, “Perform ḥajj for him.” Agreed upon.

A further condition for anyone deputed to perform ḥajj on behalf of another is that he must already have performed the obligatory ḥajj for himself. Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet ﷺ heard a man saying, “Labbayka ʿan Shubramah” (I answer Your call on behalf of Shubramah). He asked, “Have you performed ḥajj for yourself?” The man replied, “No.” He said, “Then perform ḥajj for yourself first.” Its chain of transmission is sound, and al-Bayhaqī declared it authentic.

The proxy should be given enough money to cover the cost of the journey there and back. It is impermissible to hire oneself out for ḥajj or to treat it as a means of earning money. The deputy’s aim should be to benefit his Muslim brother, to visit the Sacred House of Allah and those magnificent rites, so that the pilgrimage is for Allah alone, not for worldly gain. If he undertakes it primarily for financial profit, his ḥajj is invalid.