Permissibility of performing ‘Umrah and Hajj in the same year

23/11/2009| IslamWeb

Question

Is it permissible for one who did ‘Umrah (minor pilgrimage) to go for Hajj (major pilgrimage) in the same year?

Fatwa

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Him and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

It is allowed for anyone who performs ‘Umrah to also do Hajj in the same year, if he/she is able. There is no difference among scholars regarding this issue.

Moreover, a Muslim is, in fact, required to do Hajj as soon as he/she can, because it is an obligation to be fulfilled upon financial ability. This is the view held by the majority of scholars.

It is recommendable for the Hajj pilgrim to do Tamattu’ – that is, to perform ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj, then take off the Ihraam (ritual consecration); he or she is to, then, make the intention for doing Hajj in that very season. The Prophet was reported to have said, “‘Umrah entered [the months of] Hajj [i.e., it can be performed in this period], until the Day of Resurrection.” [Muslim]

As for the Prophet he performed Qiraan Hajj, meaning that he performed Hajj and ‘Umrah together, in the same state of Ihraam. However, he advised his companions to do Tamattu’, and hence, most of them thus performed Hajj and ‘Umrah in one year. How could you then get an answer, stating that that is not possible?

It is also permissible to perform ‘Umrah more than once in the same year, as maintained by the majority of scholars. 

Allah knows best.