its ruling is that of the obligatory rites: it must be performed, and whoever does not perform it must offer a sacrificial compensation.

The correct view is that it is not among the obligations of Hajj. Were it one of the obligations of Hajj, it would be required of both the resident and the traveller; yet it is not required of one residing in Mecca, but only of one who is leaving. Accordingly, it should not be counted among the obligations of Hajj, since the obligations of Hajj must be binding upon everyone who performs Hajj. Rather, it is obligatory upon whoever intends to depart from Mecca. The evidence for this is the hadith of Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, who said: “The people were commanded to make their last rite at the House, except that concession was made for the menstruating woman.” (1) This command denotes obligation. Evidence that it denotes obligation is his saying, “except that concession was made for the menstruating woman,” for had it been merely recommended, a concession would have applied to everyone, since a recommended act may be left undone. This is also supported by the other wording: “Let none of you depart until his last rite is at the House.” (2)

All that remains are sunnah acts. The pillars of Umrah are: entering ihram, circumambulation, and sa‘i. Its obligations are shaving and entering ihram from its appointed boundary.

His statement, “All that remains are sunnah acts,” means that the remaining sayings and actions of Hajj are sunnah acts. The ruling on each of the pillar, the obligation, and the sunnah act will follow.

His statement, “The pillars of Umrah are: entering ihram, circumambulation, and sa‘i”: entering ihram is the intention to begin Umrah, while circumambulation and sa‘i are well known.

His statement, “Its obligations are shaving and entering ihram from its appointed boundary”: thus, the pillars of Umrah are three and its obligations are two. As for circumambulation and sa‘i, because