Delegate someone to perform Hajj

Q: A woman passed away around thirty-five years ago. She had no one who could perform Hajj on her behalf and she was unable to perform Hajj due to the lack of transportation. My family went on Hajj and they had in their company a young child; we agreed that we would make the intention for the child to do Hajj on behalf of the deceased woman. We let him perform the rites of Hajj, including Tawaf (circumambulation around the Ka‘bah) and offering a Hady (sacrificial animal offered by pilgrims) on her behalf. What is the ruling on this act?

A: Performance of the duty of Hajj is not obligatory on her, but if a person wishes to perform Hajj on her behalf it is permissible, provided that they had first performed Hajj for themselves. As to the Hajj performed by the child, it will be considered as a Nafilah (supererogatory act of worship) for the child, as children are not allowed to do Hajj on behalf of someone else, until after they have performed it for themselves. The Hajj which a child does, therefore, does not count as the obligatory Hajj, until after they reach puberty. (Part No. 11; Page No. 69) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.