Many Muslims wonder whether a single Umrah can be performed for more than one deceased person, particularly when someone has already completed Umrah for themselves and wishes to dedicate its reward to a deceased father and brother.
Egyptian Dar Al-Ifta explained that an important distinction exists between gifting the reward of an Umrah to one or more people and performing Umrah on behalf of another person.
These two situations have different rulings.
Can the Reward of One Umrah Be Gifted to Two People?
A Muslim may perform Umrah and then gift its reward to more than one person. Therefore, the reward of one completed Umrah may be dedicated to both a deceased father and brother.
This is different from performing the actual Umrah rituals on behalf of two people simultaneously.
What Is the Difference Between Gifting the Reward and Performing Umrah for Someone Else?
Gifting the reward means that a Muslim performs the act of worship and then dedicates its reward to another person or to several people.
Performing Umrah on behalf of someone else means entering the ritual with the intention of performing Umrah for a specific person. According to the ruling explained in the question, one Umrah cannot be performed on behalf of two different people at the same time.
Can One Umrah Be Performed on Behalf of Two Deceased People?
According to the explanation given by the religious authority, one Umrah is not sufficient when the intention is to perform it on behalf of two different people.
If someone wants to perform Umrah first on behalf of their deceased father and then on behalf of their deceased brother, each person should have a separate Umrah.
How Can Someone Perform Umrah for a Father and Then a Brother?
The person first performs the Umrah with the intention of doing it on behalf of the deceased father.
After completing the first Umrah, they return to the designated Miqat, enter Ihram again, and make a new intention to perform Umrah on behalf of the deceased brother.
This makes each Umrah a separate act of worship with its own intention.
Does Umrah Forgive Sins Like Hajj?
Prophetic teachings describe the great virtue of both Hajj and Umrah and encourage Muslims to perform them repeatedly.
One well-known teaching states that performing Umrah after another Umrah serves as an expiation for the sins committed between them, provided major sins are avoided.
This highlights the significant spiritual value associated with Umrah.
What Is the Virtue of an Accepted Umrah?
An accepted Umrah is among the acts through which Muslims hope for Allah's mercy, forgiveness, and reward.
A believer should perform the worship sincerely, avoid sins and wrongdoing, and seek acceptance from Allah.
What Are the Main Virtues of Umrah?
Umrah has an important status in Islamic worship, and several prophetic teachings discuss its virtues and rewards.
Among the reported virtues is that one Umrah serves as an expiation for the period between it and the previous Umrah when major sins are avoided. Prophetic teachings also highlight the benefits associated with continuing to perform Hajj and Umrah.
Scholars have differed regarding the legal status of Umrah. Some consider it a recommended Sunnah, while others consider it obligatory once in a lifetime for a Muslim who is able to perform it.
Regardless of this difference, Umrah remains an important act of worship through which Muslims seek closeness to Allah, sincerity, forgiveness, and spiritual reward.
Conclusion
If a Muslim wishes to gift the reward of one Umrah to both a deceased father and brother, the reward may be dedicated to both of them.
However, if the intention is to perform Umrah on behalf of each person, one Umrah does not cover two different people. A separate Umrah should be performed for each person, with a new Ihram and intention.
Can the reward of one Umrah be gifted to more than one person?
Yes. The reward of one Umrah may be gifted to more than one person, including a deceased parent and sibling.
Is one Umrah enough for a deceased father and brother?
If the intention is to perform Umrah on behalf of both people, one Umrah is not sufficient. A separate Umrah is performed for each person.
How can I perform Umrah for my father and then my brother?
The first Umrah is performed with the intention of doing it for the father. After completing it, the person returns to the Miqat, enters Ihram again, and performs another Umrah for the brother.
Does Umrah expiate sins?
Prophetic teachings state that one Umrah serves as an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous Umrah when major sins are avoided.
Can someone perform Umrah on behalf of another person?
The issue is governed by the rules of performing worship on behalf of others. In the case described, the questioner had already performed Umrah for themselves.
