64/77. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4399 — Hajj on Behalf of an Elderly Parent
Hajjat-ul-Wada
Hadith About Hajj on Behalf of Father: Proxy Hajj for the Unable
Sahih Bukhari : 4399
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4399
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، وَقَالَ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ حَدَّثَنَا الأَوْزَاعِيُّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي ابْنُ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ امْرَأَةً، مِنْ خَثْعَمَ اسْتَفْتَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ وَالْفَضْلُ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ رَدِيفُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ فَرِيضَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ أَدْرَكَتْ أَبِي شَيْخًا كَبِيرًا لاَ يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يَسْتَوِيَ عَلَى الرَّاحِلَةِ، فَهَلْ يَقْضِي أَنْ أَحُجَّ عَنْهُ قَالَ " نَعَمْ ".
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
A woman from the tribe of Khath'am asked for the verdict of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (regarding something) during Hajjat-ul-Wada` while Al-Fadl bin `Abbas was the companion-rider behind Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). She asked, "Allah's ordained obligation (i.e. compulsory Hajj) enjoined on His slaves has become due on my old father who cannot sit firmly on the riding animal. Will it be sufficient if I perform the Hajj on his behalf?" He said, "Yes."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4399In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 422USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 682
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4399
This hadith about Hajj on behalf of a father gives a direct answer from the Prophet. During Hajjat-ul-Wada, a woman from Khath'am asked about her old father. The obligation of Hajj had become due on him, but he could not sit firmly on a riding animal. She asked whether it would be sufficient if she performed Hajj on his behalf. The Prophet answered, “Yes.” The core topic is proxy Hajj for someone unable to travel or ride, as stated in the hadith. The narration is often searched as the Khath'am woman Hajj hadith. It teaches care for parents, respect for Allah’s obligation, and asking the Prophet for a clear ruling when one is unsure.
What we learn from this hadith
- The woman asked before acting, showing care about doing the right thing.
- Her father was unable to sit firmly on the riding animal.
- The Prophet allowed her to perform Hajj on his behalf.
- The hadith shows concern for fulfilling Allah’s obligation when ability is limited.
