Section

‘Umrah is not restricted to a particular time; it is permissible throughout the year. It is disliked only for someone who has entered ihram for Hajj, from the moment he enters ihram until sunset on the last of the days of Tashrīq. The ruling on adding Hajj to ‘umrah, or ‘umrah to Hajj, will be discussed in its proper place in this book, if Allah Most High wills.

Section

Many reports have been transmitted concerning the merits of Hajj and ‘umrah, including these words of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him:

“Whoever performs Hajj without obscenity or foolish conduct returns as he was on the day his mother bore him.”

He also said, peace and blessings be upon him:

“One ‘umrah to the next expiates what comes between them, and a righteous Hajj has no reward but Paradise.”

“He was asked, ‘Which deed is best?’ He replied, ‘Faith in Allah.’ He was asked, ‘Then which?’ He replied, ‘Jihad in His cause.’ He was asked, ‘Then which?’ He replied, ‘A righteous Hajj.’”

The Muwatta’ relates:

“A man passed by Abū Dharr at al-Rabadhah. Abū Dharr asked him, ‘Where are you going?’ He replied, ‘I am going to perform Hajj.’ He asked, ‘Has anything else prompted you to set out?’ He replied, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Then begin your deeds afresh.’ The man said, ‘I continued on until I reached Mecca, where I stayed as long as Allah willed. Then I saw people gathered around a man, so I pressed through the crowd to reach him. There was the elderly man whom I had met at al-Rabadhah’—meaning Abū Dharr. ‘When he saw me, he recognized me and said, “It is as I told you.”’”

Section

A righteous Hajj is one that is accepted, in which one’s intention is devoted sincerely to Allah—Mighty and Majestic—and the wealth spent is lawful. Whoever intends to perform Hajj should therefore make his intention sincere for Allah—Mighty and Majestic—and examine the wealth he intends to use for Hajj. If he knows that it was not lawfully acquired, he should set it aside, for Allah accepts only