The Virtue of 'Umrah in Ramadan

The questioner:
May Allah increase you in His knowledge and guidance. You also ask, saying: How many times must I perform 'Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) for it to equal a Hajj (the major pilgrimage)?

The Shaykh:
'Umrah is prescribed at all times, and it holds great virtue for those for whom it is facilitated. It was reported in the hadith: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Umrah in Ramadan is distinguished from 'Umrah in other months, even though the entire year is a time for 'Umrah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Follow up Hajj with 'Umrah," and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Between them, they said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The five prayers, Ramadan to Ramadan, and..." until they said: "'Umrah to 'Umrah is expiation for what is between them." So following up 'Umrah and performing it frequently carries great virtue. There is no specific number of 'Umrahs that equals Hajj; this has not been reported except for what we mentioned regarding Ramadan.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good.

The questioner:
If one performs 'Umrah in Ramadan, it is like a Hajj with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Does this mean that the obligatory Hajj is waived for the one who performs 'Umrah in Ramadan?

The Shaykh:
No, that is not the intention. The intention is to explain the reward of 'Umrah in Ramadan, and it does not replace the obligatory Hajj of Islam.

The presenter:
Yes.