Can ’Umra Be Performed in the Months of Hajj?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
If I were to perform ‘Umra in the month of Shawwal, am I obliged to continue with Hajj (since it is one of the months of Hajj)? Is it okay to perform only ‘Umra and then go home to my country?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to that which is pleasing to Him. Amin.
It is lawful to perform ‘Umra without performing Hajj during the months of Hajj. Scholars have agreed on this.
The Four ‘Umra’s of The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) completed ‘Umra four times, all of which were in the month of Dhu Al-Qa‘da, one of the months of Hajj. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) performed his only (Farewell) Hajj with his last ‘Umra. [Bukhari; Muslim]
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Commentary (may Allah have mercy on him)
“The conclusion we draw from the reports of Anas and Ibn ‘Umar is they indicate that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) completed ‘Umra four times. The first was in Dhu Al-Qa‘da in the year of Hudaybiya (6 AH), when they were prevented from going further, so they exited ihram, but this was counted as an ‘Umra for them. The second was in Dhu Al-Qa‘da (7 AH), which was to make up for the previous year. The third was in Dhu Al-Qa‘da (8 AH), the year of the Conquest (of Makkah). And the fourth was with his Hajj when he entered ihram for it in Dhu Al-Qa‘da but did the actions of ‘Umra in Dhu Al-Hijja.”
And he said:
“The scholars said that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) did ‘Umrah in Dhu Al-Qa‘da because of the virtue of this month and to go against the ideas of the Jahiliyya (the pre-Islamic period of ignorance) because they used to think that this was one of the worst evil actions. So he (Allah bless him and give him peace) did it many times in these months to make it explicitly clear that this was permissible and to demonstrate clearly that the beliefs of Jahiliyya were false.” [Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim]
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
