What is the ruling on a child below the age of puberty performing hajj, and how does a guardian perform hajj on behalf of a child who has not reached the age of discernment?

Answer in brief

A child's hajj is valid and counts as a voluntary act of worship. After reaching puberty, the person must still perform the obligatory hajj, since the hajj done in childhood does not discharge that duty. The father or guardian makes the intention of ihram for the child, brings the child to stand at Arafah, stay overnight at Muzdalifah and Mina, and have the hair shaved or trimmed, while the guardian completes his own tawaf, sai and stoning of the jamrah first. A child who has not reached discernment incurs no dam for violating ihram prohibitions, but one who has must have the dam paid from the child's property or, if there is none, from the guardian's.

Summary written by DHUMY from the Malay original and checked against it.