and al-Marwah is a subsidiary rite in ‘umrah. Hence it is performed only after circumambulation and is not repeated within either Hajj or ‘umrah. The principal purpose of ‘umrah is therefore circumambulation, which the people of Mecca can perform without leaving the sanctuary; they have no need to leave it. Moreover, circumambulation and remaining there in worship are the purpose of coming to Mecca, and the people of Mecca are already able to do both. Whoever can attain the intended goal without resorting to a means is not commanded to abandon that goal and occupy himself with the means.

Furthermore, it is well known that walking around the House in circumambulation is itself the intended act of worship, whereas walking there from outside the sanctuary is merely a means and a route to it. Whoever abandons walking for this intended purpose—which is itself worship—and occupies himself with the means instead is misguided and ignorant of the true nature of religion. His ignorance is worse than that of someone living beside the mosque on a Friday who could go early and pray there, but instead goes somewhere far away so that he can set out for the mosque from there, thereby depriving himself of the prayer he could have performed in the mosque—the very purpose of going there.

This is further clarified by the fact that i‘timār (performing ‘umrah) follows the ifti‘āl pattern, derived from the verb ‘amara–ya‘muru, with ‘umrah as the corresponding noun. Allah Most High says:

“So whoever performs Hajj to the House or performs ‘umrah”

And He Most High says:

“Have you made the provision of water for pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque”

Maintaining mosques consists in worshipping in them and going to them for that purpose, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“When you see a man regularly attending the mosque, bear witness to his faith.”

For Allah says: