verse was revealed, when neither Hajj nor ‘umrah had yet been made obligatory for him. Then, when the polytheists prevented him from proceeding, Allah revealed this verse, commanding the completion of Hajj and ‘umrah and explaining the ruling concerning someone prevented from completing them. Thus, the imams agree that Hajj and ‘umrah become binding once undertaken and must therefore be completed. They disagree, however, concerning fasting, prayer, and devotional retreat.

Furthermore, ‘umrah contains no kind of act that is not also part of Hajj. It consists of entering ihrām, circumambulation, walking between Safā and Marwah, and leaving ihrām—all of which are found in Hajj. Allah has made Hajj obligatory only once, not twice, nor has He required any of its obligatory rites twice. He has not required two ritual standings or two circumambulations. Rather, the obligatory circumambulation is tawāf al-ifādah. As for the farewell circumambulation, it is not part of Hajj; it is required only of someone intending to leave Mecca. Hence, someone who remains in Mecca does not perform it. Nor is it obligatory for everyone, since it is waived for a menstruating woman. Were someone to omit it, a sacrificial offering would suffice, and omitting it would not invalidate the Hajj, unlike omitting the obligatory circumambulation or the standing.

Likewise, walking between Safā and Marwah is required only once. Stoning on the Day of Sacrifice is required only once, and stoning each pillar on each day is required only once. Similarly, shaving or shortening the hair is required only once. Since ‘umrah contains no act beyond the acts of Hajj, and Allah has made the acts of Hajj obligatory only once, not twice, it follows that Allah has not made ‘umrah obligatory.