The sacred practice of Umrah is not considered as Fard (obligatory) like Hajj. There are many Islamic scholars from various schools Hanafi and Maliki madhhab who consider Umrah to be Sunnah Mu'akkadah. Our beloved Prophet PBUH encouraged his believers to perform Umrah if they can but it is not compulsory. Not offering Umrah will not make you sinful. Another group of scholars, primarily from the Shafi' and Hanbali schools, are of the opinion that Umrah is also Wajib or Fard once in a lifetime for those who can perform it, like Hajj. Both are based on a sincere study of the Qur'ān and Hadīth, and both are held in high esteem by the Muslim community. The benefit for Muslims from the USA who are thinking about travelling to Makkah is that they should know that if they can do Umrah, they will be rewarded very heavily in Allah's presence and that they will be closer to Allah, but if they have not done it, then they are not sinful. It is still a beautiful and meaningful act of worship and should be done if your health, finances and life circumstances allow. If you have a particular school of thought, consult the local imam or scholar to find out how the ruling would apply to you.
Understanding the Terms of Offering the Religious Practices
Term | What it means | Example |
Farz | A clear command from Allah. To miss any obligatory practice without any authentic reason is sinful. | Salah, Roza, Hajj (if possible) |
Wajib | Obligatory duty in some schools, with strong evidence, but not as prominent as a Farz. | Witr prayer (Hanafi view) |
Sunnah Mu'akkadah | This is something that the Prophet PBUH used to do regularly and encouraged. It's very rewarding, but not sinful to miss. | Praying before the dawn, performing Umrah |
Nafl | Extra worship done for additional reward. | Night prayers, voluntary fasting |
What the Qur'an and Hadiths Tells Us about the Religious Practices
The Qur'an mentions Umrah alongside Hajj in one verse:
"And complete the Hajj and 'Umrah for Allah." (Al-Baqarah 2:196)
The status of Umrah is clearly explained in the words and actions of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. The first is in the famous hadith where Jibreel (AS) asks about the five pillars of Islam, and the Prophet (PBUH) mentions five fundamentals, not Umrah but Hajj is mentioned. If Umrah was obligatory it would have been named along with these pillars of Islam.
Then the Prophet PBUH said, "From one Umrah to the next is an expiation for what occurred between them. (Bukhari). This is a very strong statement that portrays the spiritual value of Umrah; that it removes sin and provides a second chance to the Muslims who complete this religious performance with sincere intentions.
Then there's the narration from Aisha (RA) who asked the Prophet (S) about women and Jihad. He said, "Yes, upon them is a jihad with no fighting: Hajj and Umrah." (Ibn Majah). Some Islamic scholars mark this to explain that Umrah is obligatory. Others see it as signifying the high status and reward of Umrah not necessarily making it compulsory.
Lastly, a man once asked the Prophet PBUH directly, "Is Umrah obligatory? He replied: "No, but if you perform it, it is better. (Tirmidhi). The general conclusion or saying of all the authentic hadiths and scholarly articles is that Umrah is a highly rewarding act, but not a fard like Hajj.
When read together, these hadith offer us insight into what Umrah is, and how it is a wonderful chance to get closer to Allah SWT, to seek forgiveness and to follow the example of the Prophet (PBUH) without the burden of obligation.
The Four Schools' Perspective on Umrah
Islamic school of thoughts provides alternative views on the sacred performance of Umrah. Here's a quick explanation:
Abu Hanifah: Umrah is Sunnah. Some scholars in this school consider Umrah Wajib. In their opinion there is no clear text that makes Umrah a compulsory performance for Muslims. Umrah can be performed anytime when you are financially willing to invest.
Maliki: Offering Umrah practice is a Sunnah, as it was performed by the Holy prophet PBUH which can be performed anytime. Our beloved Prophet PBUH used to perform this frequently because of which it is considered as sunnah, but Umrah is not made obligatory (farz).
Shafi'i: According to the Shafi'i school of thought it is considered that performing Umrah once in a lifetime is compulsory. It is mentioned in Qur'an 2:196 in which Umrah is referred along with Hajj, and supporting hadith.
Hanbali: It is similar to Shafi'i, and is a Fard once in a lifetime, according to the same textual reference.
Why Umrah Feels Essential (Even If It's Not Farz)
Even if Umrah is not an obligatory practice in Islam, it still carries a spiritual blessing with it. Muslims who have performed Umrah describe their experience in the Haram while facing Ka’bah and performing the rituals like Tawaf. Umrah allows you to witness Makkah with tears in the eyes and peace that your heart was in search of. However, spiritual desire is not a religious duty. As Umrah is not an obligatory practice, it is easy to prepare for this sacred performance without any pressure. If you wish to perform Umrah, then start with small steps, learn about all the rituals, pray to Allah SWT to make it easy for you to perform this sacred journey with loved ones.
Final Words
For most Muslims, performing Umrah is a sunnah (rituals practiced by the Holy prophet PBUH) that is highly emphasized, a time to ask for forgiveness, to uplift your faith and to follow the sunnahs of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. If you follow the school of Shafi'i or Hanbali, it is a duty once in a lifetime when in good health and when financially stable. If you have the Hanafi or Maliki opinion, then follow it as a good practice that you love and prioritize, but don't consider it as a fard practice. Planning Umrah can be made easy if you have booked your journey with Dua Travels USA Umrah packages, as we offer you with exclusive services including stay in the accommodations that are positioned closer to the religious mosques, comfortable flights, and transfers that help you commute within the Holy cities without investing much time in traveling. Allah is not pleased with you based on how fast you perform a deed. He sees your sincere intentions, your honesty, and your effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I perform Umrah multiple times a year?
Yes, Muslims can perform Umrah as many times as they want to throughout the year.
Can women perform Umrah without a mahram?
According to the recent policy updates by the Saudi authorities, women can now perform umrah without mahram in an organized group.
Is performing Umrah during Ramadan different?
The blessing of sacred Umrah performance is multiplied during the spiritual month of Ramadan. And it is said that performing Umrah during the religious month of Ramadan is equal to performing Hajj in terms of rewards.