Explaining the innovation of designating the twenty-seventh night of Ramadan for 'Umrah

The Shaykh : Or what is the action that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged in the Night of Decree? It is standing in prayer. And by this we know that what people do today of designating the Night of Decree for 'Umrah—many people, meaning the twenty-seventh night—go to Makkah to perform 'Umrah on the twenty-seventh night. This is ignorance on their part. Did the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ever say in any time, "Perform 'Umrah on the twenty-seventh night"? Did the Companions say that? Did any of the scholars of the Salaf say this? Never. The recommended practice (sunnah) in the Night of Decree, which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged, is standing in prayer. As for 'Umrah, it has no special virtue in that night. Therefore, we should not burden ourselves by seeking out the twenty-seventh night to perform 'Umrah, due to the ignorance involved and the hardship involved, because people gather on the twenty-seventh night more than on any other night. This is an error. Perhaps we should limit ourselves to what we have mentioned regarding welcoming this blessed month, and we ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) to make us and you among those who fast it and stand in prayer in it, with faith and seeking reward.