It is not stipulated for the validity of ‘Umrah or Hajj on behalf of someone to mention his name

1-10-2013 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have forgotten the name of the one who entrusted me to perform ‘Umrah on his behalf after some years passed and I would like to perform ‘Umrah on his behalf now, then how can the intention of ‘Umrah be achieved?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

In ‘Umrah, it is sufficient for you to intend to do ‘Umrah on behalf of the one who entrusted you to do it on his behalf, and it is not stipulated to mention his name. If you have forgotten his name, Allaah Almighty never forgets; Allaah Almighty Says (what means): {[Moses] said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets."} [Quran 20: 52]

It was also stated in the Fatwas of the Standing Committee (11/82):

It is sufficient in offering Hajj on behalf of others to have the intention (to perform Hajj on his behalf). It is not obligatory to mention the name of the person on whose behalf you offer Hajj, or the name of his father or his mother…

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said regarding the one who forgot the name of the person on his behalf he offers Hajj:

If one offered Hajj on behalf of a woman or a man and forgot his name, then it is sufficient for him to have the intention, and there is no need to mention the name. If he intends, when assuming Ihraam, that such Hajj is for the one who gave him money or for the one who owns the money, then this will be sufficient. Intention is actually sufficient because the reward of deeds depends upon the intention…

You should also know that it is stipulated – in order to offer Hajj on behalf of others – that you have performed the obligatory Hajj on your own behalf first.

Allaah Knows best.