Hajj for his own benefit. If Hajj was obligatory upon the deceased, it remains an obligation owed by him. Performing Hajj on his behalf is therefore an act of kindness that discharges his obligation, just like repaying his debt. Thus, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to the woman of Khath‘am:

“Tell me, if your father owed a debt and you repaid it, would that discharge his obligation?”

She replied, “Yes.”

He said, “Allah has a greater right to be repaid.”

He expressed this meaning in several hadiths, explaining that Allah, in His mercy and generosity, has even more reason to accept the discharge of a debt on someone’s behalf. If the pilgrim’s purpose is to discharge this obligatory debt on that person’s behalf, he is showing him kindness, and Allah loves those who do good. This is therefore recommended. Such kindness is usually prompted by some particular reason, such as kinship, affection and friendship, or a kindness previously received from that person which he wishes to repay. He takes only enough money to help him perform Hajj on that person’s behalf. A sign of this intention is that he asks only for enough to cover his Hajj expenses. This is why we have permitted the payment of Hajj expenses without dispute. The same applies if the deceased left instructions in his will for a voluntary Hajj, and the pilgrim wishes to convey its reward to him.

The second case is when a man wishes to perform Hajj out of love for it and longing for its sacred sites, but lacks the means. He therefore uses the money provided for Hajj to enable him to perform it. He may be given money to perform Hajj without doing so on anyone else’s behalf, just as a fighter is given money to go forth to fight. There is no doubt about the permissibility of this. The pilgrim receives the reward for performing Hajj in person, while the donor receives the reward for supporting Hajj with his wealth, just as in jihad: “Whoever equips a warrior has himself gone forth to fight.” He may also be given