The Ruling on 'Umrah in Ramadan and Its Virtue

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, we would like to dedicate this episode to discussing 'Umrah. Could you speak about its ruling and its virtue in this blessed, blessed month?

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions. As for what follows, 'Umrah is prescribed at all times of the year; it has no specific time, unlike Hajj. Allah the Exalted said: As for 'Umrah, it is permissible throughout the year.
It is more virtuous in Ramadan; 'Umrah in Ramadan is more virtuous because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: In another narration, it is said to be equivalent to a Hajj with me. It has a great virtue. A Muslim should perform 'Umrah if it becomes easy for him to do so in Ramadan. However, if there is something better than 'Umrah, or something obligatory, that is better than 'Umrah. For example, if remaining in his country benefits the Muslims, such as if he is a scholar whom people ask for rulings and consult, and they turn to him for guidance, then that is his work, and it is better than 'Umrah.
So, if remaining in his country benefits the Muslims, his staying is better than going to perform 'Umrah. Likewise, if remaining is obligatory, he should not leave an obligation to go to a recommended practice. For instance, one who raises and cares for his children has an obligation to do so. If he goes to perform 'Umrah, he will neglect their upbringing and care for them. So, he should not leave an obligation to go to a sunnah (recommended practice). Similarly, if he is the imam of a mosque committed to leading the prayer, and the leadership is entrusted to him, it is obligatory for him to perform it. He should not neglect it and go to perform 'Umrah. Also, if 'Umrah entails harm, such as severe crowding, like what happens at the end of the month on the night of the twenty-seventh or the night of the conclusion, if the crowding is severe, he should not perform 'Umrah on those crowded days. Rather, he should perform it on days without crowding, such as the beginning or middle of the month. This is because some people may enter the state of ihram for 'Umrah, and then, upon seeing the severe crowding, they abandon the 'Umrah and reject it while in the state of ihram. It is known that if one enters the state of ihram for Hajj or 'Umrah, he is required to complete it. It is not permissible for him to reject the ihram. Rather, he is required to proceed and perform the rites for which he entered the state of ihram. Allah the Exalted said: His saying, the Exalted: "Fard" means to enter the state of ihram. So, when a person enters the state of ihram, it becomes obligatory for him to perform the rites for which he entered the state of ihram. It is not permissible for him to reject it, as some people do when they see the crowding; they reject the ihram and return to their country. Yes.