Is there any special excellence to performing Umrah in Ramadhan?

It is Compulsory (Wajib) for the person who is able to, to perform ‘Umrah once in a lifetime, as given in Bada’i Us Sana’i, Vol. 2, Pg No. 774.  ‘Umrah can be performed on all the days of the year, but it is Undesirable (Makruh) to perform ‘Umrah on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the 10th of Arafah and from the 9th to 13th of Dhul Hijjah.  As given in Bada’i Us Sana’i, Vol. 2, Pg No. 974.

 

In the blessed month of Ramadhan, the reward for supererogatory (Nafl) worship is equal to the reward of Obligatory (Fardh) worship is other months.  The way offering a supererogatory act of worship in Ramadhan is equal to offering an Obligatory (Fardh) in other months, in the same way, the reward for performing ‘Umrah in Ramadhan is equal to performing a Hajj and performing Hajj along with the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi:

 

Translation: Hadhrat Umme Ma’aqil (May Allah be well pleased with her) narrates from the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) that He said: In Ramadhan, an ‘Umrah is like a Hajj.(Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 951)

 

In Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, it is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: One ‘Umrah is the expiation of sins till the other ‘Umrah and the reward for an accepted Hajj is nothing but paradise.  (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 1773; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 3355)

 

There is a lengthy Hadith in Sahih Muslim, in which the following words of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) are there:

 

Translation: Performing ‘Umrah in Ramadhan is like performing Hajj. In fact, it is like performing Hajj with me.  (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No., 3098)

 

This Hadith of Sahih Muslim shows the excellence of performing ‘Umrah in Ramadhan that performing ‘Umrah in Ramadhan gives the excellence and privilege of performing Hajj with the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).

 

And Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) knows best.

 

Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri

 

[Professor, Islamic Law, Jamia Nizamia,

Founder-Director, Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center]