Hajjْ umrah in Ramdan

Question: What is the ruling in Islam regarding a person who is capable but does not fulfill the obligation of Hajj?

Answer: It is obligatory for every capable individual to perform the pilgrimage to the House of Allah once in their lifetime, as evidenced by the following proofs:

Imam Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: “The Muslim Ummah has unanimously agreed upon the obligation of Hajj once in a lifetime for the capable person.” [Al-Mughni 6/5]

This indicates that it is a consensus among the Muslim scholars that Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are capable.

The interpretation of the Quranic verse “من استطاع اليه سبيلا” (whoever is able to find thereto a way) by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and other noble companions is regarding “الزاد و الراحلة” (provision for the journey and means of conveyance). [Tafsir Ibn Kathir 1/414]

From this, it is understood that one who has made arrangements for travel and transportation is obligated to perform Hajj, and one who does not perform Hajj despite being capable is considered neglectful of an obligation.

Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him): “Whoever is capable of performing Hajj and does not do so, then whether he dies as a Jew or a Christian, it is the same for him.” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir 1/415]

Therefore, the capable individual must hasten to perform the obligatory pilgrimage to the House of Allah and strive to do so promptly while capable, as no one knows when death will approach, and one may be deprived of this blessed act. Therefore, one should fulfill this obligation in their lifetime.

How many times is Hajj obligatory?

Question: If someone has performed Hajj once and then has the opportunity to perform Umrah, will Hajj become obligatory for them again? Also, what is the ruling regarding performing Umrah for the first time?

Answer: Hajj is obligatory only once in a lifetime. There is no evidence to suggest that performing Umrah again will make Hajj obligatory again. Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “O people! Indeed, Allah has made Hajj obligatory for you, so perform Hajj.” A man asked: “Every year?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) remained silent until he asked him thrice, then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Had I said ‘yes,’ it would have become obligatory, and you would not have been able to do it.” Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Leave me as long as I leave you, for those before you were destroyed because they asked too many questions and disagreed with their prophets. So, when I order you to do something, do as much of it as you can, and when I forbid you from doing something, refrain from it.” [Muslim, Book of Hajj: Chapter: Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime 1337]

From this hadith, it is evident that Hajj is obligatory only once in a lifetime, not twice.

Umrah is also obligatory for a person once in a lifetime.

Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “No one should think that it is not obligatory for him to perform Hajj and Umrah.” Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: “Hajj and Umrah are mentioned in the Book of Allah.” [Al-Baqarah: 194]

Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) established a chapter titled “The obligation of Umrah and its virtue” in Sahih Bukhari, and mentioned these narrations, explaining that Umrah is obligatory.

Which type of Hajj is preferred?

Question: Which type of Hajj is preferred for us while we have already deposited money with our agent for sacrificial animals?

Answer: There are three types of Hajj, so let us understand them properly so that you know which method of Hajj you will choose:

1. Hajj Tamattu (Interrupted): In this type, you enter the state of Ihram only for Umrah from the Miqat, say “Labbayk Allahumma Umrah,” perform Tawaf around the Kaaba upon reaching Mecca, pray two Rakahs behind the Station of Ibrahim, perform Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, shave your head or trim your hair, and then exit the state of Ihram. You live your normal life until the 8th of Dhul Hijjah when you enter Ihram again and perform all the rituals of Hajj.

2. Hajj Qiran (Combined): In this type, you enter the state of Ihram for both Umrah and Hajj together from the Miqat. You perform Umrah as mentioned above but do not exit the state of Ihram. Instead, you continue in Ihram until you complete all the rituals of Hajj.

3. Hajj Ifrad (Single): In this type, you enter Ihram only for Hajj from the Miqat. You perform Hajj rituals directly without performing Umrah.

All these types of Hajj are valid, but the question arises, which one is preferred? Some scholars say that Hajj Qiran is preferable because the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed it, while others say that Hajj Tamattu is preferable because he expressed a desire for it.

Some argue that if you are going to offer a sacrifice, then Hajj Qiran is preferable, and if you are not going to offer a sacrifice, then Hajj Tamattu is preferable.

According to our understanding, Hajj Tamattu is preferable. Although the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed Hajj Qiran, he expressed regret and said: “What would have been better for me if I had not already brought my sacrificial animals with me.” [Sahih Bukhari, Book of Desires: Chapter: The saying of the Prophet, ‘If I had known beforehand what I know now, I would have not brought the Hady.’ 7229, Abu Dawood 1784]

Those companions who did not have sacrificial animals with them and had entered the state of Ihram for Hajj, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed them to perform Umrah, then shave or trim their hair, and then exit the state of Ihram. This is mentioned in Sahih Muslim [1218] and Bayhaqi [338/4].

And those who regarded the command of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a recommendation and did not exit the state of Ihram, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) expressed strong disapproval towards them, as mentioned in Sahih Muslim [654/8, 155, Ibn Khuzaymah 2606, Bayhaqi 19/5, and Musnad Ahmad 175/6], in the hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her).

Therefore, the desire of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for Hajj Tamattu and the disapproval towards those who did not follow his instruction regarding Umrah and Ihram indicate that Hajj Tamattu is preferable. This is also the stance of many scholars, as mentioned in “Nail al-Awtar” and “Al-Fath al-Rabbani.”