According to the sound view, performing Umrah is obligatory.[1] And it is obligatory once in a lifetime. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
«الإِسْلاَمُ أَنْ تَشْهَدَ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللهِ وَأَنْ تُقِيمَ الصَّلاَةَ وَتُؤْتِيَ الزَّكَاةَ وَتَحُجَّ وَتَعْتَمِرَ وَتَغْتَسِلَ مِنَ الْجَنَابَةِ وَتُتِمَّ الْوُضُوءَ وَتَصُومَ رَمَضَانَ».
‘Islam is that you testify that there is no deity except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establish Salah; pay Zakah; perform Hajj and Umrah; perform Ghusl to purify yourself from ritual impurity; perform Wudu thoroughly; and observe the fasts of Ramadan.’[2]
Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, “Is there Jihad for women?” In reply, he said,
«نَعَمْ ، عَلَيْهِنَّ جِهَادٌ ، لاَ قِتَالَ فِيهِ : الْحَجُّ وَالْعُمْرَةُ».
‘Yes, they too have a Jihad,[3] in which there is no fighting. It is Hajj and Umrah.’[4]
Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said,
لَيْسَ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلاَّ وَعَلَيْهِ حَجَّةٌ وَعُمْرَةٌ وَاجِبَتَانِ لاَ بُدَّ مِنْهُمَا فَمَنْ زَادَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَتَطَوُّعٌ.
‘It is obligatory upon everyone to perform Hajj once and Umrah once,[5] and these must be fulfilled. Whoever does more thereafter, it will be virtuous and voluntary.’[6]
Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, said,
لَيْسَ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ أَحَدٌ إِلاَّ وَعَلَيْهِ عُمْرَةٌ وَاجِبَةٌ.
‘Umrah is certainly obligatory upon every one of Allah’s creation (who is capable).’[7]
Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said,
الْحَجُّ وَالْعُمْرَة وَاجِبَتَانِ.
‘Both Hajj and Umrah are obligatory.’[8]
[1]. According to Imam Abu Hanifah, may Allah have mercy on him, performing Umrah is Sunnah. The evidence is the Hadith narrated from Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked whether performing Umrah is obligatory. In reply, he said, لاَ وَأَنْ تَعْتَمِرَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ ‘No, but if you perform Umrah, it will be better for you.’ Upon reviewing the evidence of both sides, the view of those who say that it is obligatory appears to be the stronger one.
[2]. Ibn Khuzaymah: 3065; Ibn Hibban: 173.
[3]. Jihad is an extremely arduous deed. Hajj is more arduous for women (than for men). Therefore, it is the Jihad of women. Women have to face many adverse circumstances. Moreover, many tasks also become physically difficult. There are also many other explanations.
[4]. Musnad Ahmad: 22252; Ibn Majah: 1092; Ibn Khuzaymah: 3047.
[5]. In the terminology of the Sunnah, the word wajib is used for both fard and wajib.
[6]. Ibn Khuzaymah: 3066; Hakim: 2371; Bukhari, Ta‘liqah.
[7]. Ibn Khuzaymah: 3076.
[8]. Al-Muhalla: 5/8.