Rules: How Hajj is Performed in Form of Niyabat

Hajj is an important part of a Muslim’s life and performing the journey of Hajj and Umrah is an obligatory ritual. Millions of people choose their best Hajj and Umrah packages to cover their travel needs and perform the holy journey. However, in some cases, it is not possible for some people to perform the journey and they ask someone else to perform the ritual on their behalf. This practice of performing hajj on behalf of others is known as Niyabat. The practice has some rules that have to be adhered to otherwise the whole journey becomes void.

Here are some of the rules for Niyabat. The pilgrim who is part of the journey is called “na’ib” and the one on whose behalf it is performed is known as “manub’anhu”.

1.A person may have a na’ib only if he is physically unable to perform Hajj but is financially sound.

2.Na’ib should not be a minor and has to be mentally stable. Sunnat Hajj on behalf of someone is allowed for a minor only after approval of his guardian.

3.Sunnat Hajj may be performed on behalf of many people by one na’ib.

4.Na’ib has to perform hajj based on his own taqlid and not of his manub’anhu, unless asked for by the manub’anhu to perform the way he wants it. However, the na’ib may still follow his own taqlid if he feels that the method told by manub’anhu is not correct. This holds true even if the na’ib is hired with or without a price.

5.It is not necessary that the na’ib and manub’anhu are of the same gender, and vice-versa.

6.While performing Hajj or Umrah, a person performing the journeys on behalf of his/her parents is more preferred than praying for rewards to his/her parents.

7.Any violation of rule that attracts penality has to be borne by the na’ib only and not by the manub’anhu.

8.A person may not be a na’ib for anyone if he or she is under the obligation to perform the holy journey for oneself in the same year. However, if he is made na’ib and performs hajj, then the hajj holds valid for the na’ib as well as for the manub’anhu and the na’ib has to be rewarded for his work.

9.Tawaf may also be performed by the na’ib on behalf of the manub’anhu.

Though each of the rules are important, due to the influx of Hajj packages and Umrah packages, a lot of people are now able to perform the journey by themselves. The only time na’ib is usually hired is when the manub’anhu is old or not capable of performing Hajj or Umrah due to physical hindrances such as sickness or accidents.

Hajj is the right and obligation of every person belonging to Islam. The kindness of Allah almighty has been showered in form of na’ib that aid in fulfilling our obligations and gives us eternal peace of being close to Him even under disability or incapability.