Book of Pilgrimage Rites
(1) Hajj and ʿUmrah are obligatory once in a lifetime upon every Muslim who is free, legally accountable, and capable—that is, one who, after covering the needs of himself, his dependents, and the repayment of his debts, possesses provisions and a mount suitable for a person in his circumstances.

The pilgrimage is valid if performed by a minor, even one below the age of discernment; his guardian enters him into ihram on his behalf, while a discerning child does so with the guardian’s permission (2). The guardian carries out whatever rites the child cannot, and the same ruling applies to a slave.

If such a person reaches puberty or is emancipated at ʿArafah and has not yet performed the saʿy of Hajj (3), that pilgrimage suffices for the obligatory duty.

Anyone who is unable to travel because of advanced age, a chronic illness from which recovery is not expected, or the like, must (4) appoint someone from his own town or its vicinity to perform Hajj and ʿUmrah on his behalf; the obligation is discharged even if he later recovers after the proxy has already entered ihram.

For a woman, the obligation is conditional upon the presence of a mahram—such as her husband, father, or maternal uncle, even if the relationship is through suckling or the like—and it is unlawful for her to travel without one.

If a person on whom Hajj and ʿUmrah were due dies, a proxy is commissioned from his estate to perform them on his behalf.