Is it permissible for a person to perform the obligation of the Haj on behalf of someone else who is financially and physically able (to perform the Haj himself) in exchange for money? A – Whoever is able to perform the obligation of the Haj himself, then it is not permissible for him to appoint someone else to perform the Haj on his behalf, and he will not be rewarded for it (by Allah) if he does so. As for the one who is unable to perform the Haj himself due to a condition which permanently prevents him from doing so, then it is permissible for him to appoint someone else to perform the Haj on his behalf. And there is no harm in him taking money (for performing the Haj) if he intends to use it for the Haj, and not intending (to seek) any financial benefit. And we have a rule which some of the scholars use which has been extracted from the authentic sources which says: Whoever (makes the intention to) perform the Haj to seek financial gain, then he should not perform the Haj. And whoever takes money in order to perform the Haj, then he should (go ahead and) perform the Haj. (Majmoo' Al-Fatawa of Ibn Taymiyyah - volume 26, page 19) The meaning of this is, whoever uses money as a means to perform the Haj, there is no harm in that, (but) whoever uses (performing) Haj as a means to earn money then that is not permissible. Sheikh Saleh Bin Fowzan; Fatawa
