The Ruling on 'Umrah When Visiting Makkah and Repeating It

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, a questioner asks: Is it obligatory for a Muslim to perform 'Umrah when he visits the Noble Makkah, or is it not? And what is the ruling on repeating 'Umrah for the same person within one month?

Answer:
'Umrah is obligatory only once in a lifetime, just like Hajj. Some scholars hold that it is not obligatory, but the position of the Hanbalis and the majority is that it is obligatory once in a lifetime, and anything beyond that is voluntary. Repeating 'Umrah for one who enters Makkah—taking an 'Umrah every time he enters—is also recommended. As for the one who is in Makkah, who is settled inside Makkah, it is not recommended for him to leave Makkah to perform 'Umrah; rather, it is better for him to remain in the Haram. He remains in the Haram, prays, performs tawaf around the House, and sits in al-Masjid al-Haram, remembering Allah. This is better for him than going out and coming in for 'Umrah. Yes.