Umrah In Ramadhan

For performance of every form of worship, noble intention and sincerity is regarded as an undeniable condition.  Haj and Umrah should also be offered for pleasure and contentment of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala).  One should acquaint himself/herself with its method, prior to its performing, so that it can be performed in a perfect manner.  Sometimes, it is not valid because of the mistakes committed and sometimes, we remain  deprived of its Holy radiance.

 

Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) regarded Umrah as His Sunnah.  A slave obtains closeness of Lord through it.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

 

Translation of Hadith: You keep on performing Haj and Umrah continuously one after the other, since Haj and Umrah eliminate the sins of a person as if fire cleanses iron from impurities.

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with him) in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

 

Translation of Hadith: The duration between two Umrah is an expiation for sins and the reward of an accepted Haj is nothing but Jannah.

 

It is 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 Makruh (Undesirable) 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.  Except during the period of Haj, there is no fixed duration for performing an Umrah.  Whoever’s rights are upon us, those should be discharged immediately, before commencing the journey.  Repent before Allah Ta’ala and seek His forgiveness as much as you can.

In the blessed month of Ramadhan, the reward for Nafl (optional) prayers is equal to the reward of Fardh is other months.  The way offering a Nafl in Ramadhan is equal to offering a 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).  In Jame' Tirmidhi, there is a Hadith:

 

Translation: Hadhrat Umme Ma'qil (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.  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 Jannah.  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, more than that, like performing Hajj with Me.  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). (Sunan Dar-e-Qutni, Hadith No.  2727)