Virtues of Umrah in Ramadhan

O visit the Holy Lands in Saudi Arabia in the month of Ramadhān is praiseworthy. 

 The Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam said, “Umrah in Ramadhan is equivalent to Hajj (in reward).” (Ibn Hibbān)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) then told her: “When the month or Ramadan arrives, go for ‘umrah, because `umrah in Ramadan is like accompanying me on Hajj.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (1764)]

It is Sunnah to perform ‘Umrah at least once in a lifetime for a person capable (physically and financially) to do so while performing more than once remains a desirable act (mustahabb). The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) came to perform ‘Umrah four times during the Madinan period. A number of virtues have been reported from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) in several narrations of which two are as follows:

• “An ‘Umrah to another ‘Umrah will be redemption of sins (minor)for whatever occurs between them and the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.” (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)
• “Frequently perform Hajj and ‘Umrah, because they certainly remove poverty and sins as fire separates the impurities from iron, gold and silver.” (Reported by Tirmidhi and IbneMajah).
• Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) narrated that when the Prophet (PBUH) returned after performing his Hajj, he asked Umm Sinan Al-Ansari, "What did forbid you to perform Hajj?" She replied, "Father of so-and-so (i.e. her husband) had two camels and he performed Hajj on one of them, and the second is used for the irrigation of our land." The Prophet said (to her), "Perform 'Umrah in the month of Ramadan, as it is equivalent to Hajj (in reward)."The hadith has been reported by Bukhari. Muslim also reported the same and it says in the end “It is equivalent to a Hajj performed with me (in reward).”

Al-Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to a woman from among the Ansaar – Ibn ‘Abbaas mentioned her name but I forgot it – “What kept you from performing Hajj with us?” She said: We only have two camels and the father of her son and her son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left us the other camel so that we could carry water on it. He said: “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in (that month) is equivalent to Hajj.” 

‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj. Al-Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to a woman among the Ansaar, “What kept you from doing Hajj with us?” She said, “We only had two camels that we used for bringing water.” So her husband and son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left the other for them to use for bringing water.” He said, “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj.” According to a report narrated by Muslim, “… is equivalent to doing Hajj with me.” 

We must understand that going for `umrah in Ramadan is Sunnah. It is not an obligation and should not be treated as one. 

Indeed, the majority of scholars hold the opinion that performing `umrah in one’s lifetime is not a religious obligation at all. This is the view of the Hanafî and Mâlikî schools of though. It is also one of the views expressed by Ahmad b. Hanbal. Al-Shâfî also one time held this view, and it seems to have been his older opinion, The official position of the Shâfi`î school of law is that `umrah is obligatory upon a Muslim, just like Hajj, once in a lifetime. 

The stronger of the two opinions – and Allah knows best – is that `umrah is not an obligation. The Qur’ân clearly mentions the obligation of the Hajj without once indicating anything similar for `umrah. 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) further emphasized this by saying: “O people! Allah has enjoined the Hajj upon you, so go for Hajj.” [Sahîh Muslim (1337)] 

And by saying: “Islam is built upon five things: the testimony that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, the establishment of prayer, the payment of Zakâh, the pilgrimage to the House, and the fast during the month of Ramadan.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (8) and Sahîh Muslim (16)] 

Umrah in Ramadan is the same as regular Umrah only more rewarding