Is it permissible to donate the cost of an 'Umrah for someone to make it an ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah) on behalf of a deceased person, so that the reward of the charity goes to the deceased, and the person performing 'Umrah is allowed to intend the 'Umrah for himself?

It is permissible to donate money to a needy person for the purpose of performing Umrah, and this act is a form of charity (sadaqah). Charity on behalf of the deceased is unanimously sanctioned, and both the donor and the deceased are hoped to receive reward. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked about giving charity on behalf of a deceased mother and he said, "Yes." This charity benefits the deceased, and the donor is hoped to receive a reward similar to that of the deceased. However, this type of charity is not an ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah). An ongoing charity is an endowment (waqf) that is not consumed but rather involves placing money into something stable and continuously beneficial, such as building a mosque or endowing books.