How much time must elapse between one 'Umrah and the next?
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The questioner : The questioner, Umm 'Abd al-'Aziz from Riyadh, asks: How much time must elapse between one 'Umrah and the next?
The Shaykh : Some scholars hold that 'Umrah is not to be repeated within the year, but rather performed once a year. Others hold that there is no harm in repeating it, but they set the condition on the growth of hair; if one shaves, then when the hair grows back and turns black, one may perform 'Umrah. This was reported from Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) that when his head is washed, meaning when the hair grows and turns black, he then performs 'Umrah, because shaving or shortening the hair is among the obligations of 'Umrah, and that cannot be done without hair. The Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned in one of his fatwas that it is disliked to perform 'Umrah frequently and to repeat it in succession, as agreed upon by the Salaf. So if there is a month or so between one 'Umrah and the next, there is no harm in that, and it does not depart from what is prescribed, if Allah wills.
As for what some people do in Ramadan, repeating 'Umrah every day, that is a reprehensible religious innovation with no basis in the practice of the Salaf. It is well known that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) conquered Makkah and remained there for nineteen days, and he did not go out to the non-sacred area on any of those days to perform an 'Umrah. Likewise, in the 'Umrah of Qada', he stayed in Makkah for three days and did not perform an 'Umrah every day. It is not known from the righteous Salaf (may Allah be pleased with them) that they did that. The best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
Even more reprehensible is that some people, when they perform the first 'Umrah, shave part of their head for it and then exit the state of ihram. Then when they perform the second 'Umrah, they shave another part and exit the state of ihram, and they divide their head according to the number of 'Umrahs they are performing. I witnessed a man performing sa'y between al-Safa and al-Marwah with half of his head shaved and the other half covered in thick hair. I asked him why, and he said, "I shaved this side for yesterday's 'Umrah, and the rest is for today's 'Umrah." This undoubtedly indicates ignorance, because shaving part of the head and leaving part is among the qaza' (shaving in patches) that is prohibited. Furthermore, shaving part of the head and leaving part is not a ritual act of worship for Allah; rather, it is disliked. However, ignorance has become widespread among many people. We ask Allah for safety. There are two reasons for this. The first reason is the lack of warning by scholars to the general public regarding such matters, and scholars are responsible for this. It is well known that a layperson does not fully accept guidance from anyone other than the scholars of his land. Therefore, it is obligatory for the scholars of the lands of the Muslims to clarify to the general public, during the days of the religious occasions when they arrive in Makkah, what is obligatory for them, what is prescribed for them, and what they are prohibited from, so that they may worship Allah with knowledge.
As for the second reason, it is the lack of awareness among the general public and their lack of interest in knowledge. They do not ask the scholars, nor do they inquire among themselves. Rather, one of them comes and does what the ignorant masses do, as if he is saying, "I saw people doing something, so I did it." This is a great error. Therefore, it is obligatory for a person who intends to perform Hajj or 'Umrah to learn the rulings of Hajj and 'Umrah from a scholar he trusts, so that he may worship Allah with knowledge.
You would be greatly amazed if a person wanted to travel to Makkah, for example, that he would not travel to it until he searches for the road: where is the road leading to Makkah, and which is the best of the roads so that he may take it. But when he wants to come to Makkah for Hajj or 'Umrah, he does not ask how to perform Hajj or how to perform 'Umrah, even though his asking how to perform Hajj and how to perform 'Umrah is more important, because it is a question about religion and worship.
To those who want to perform Hajj, we say to them: Search for the rulings of Hajj before you perform it. Be in the company of a student of knowledge who clarifies and guides you. Carry with you books that discuss Hajj and 'Umrah by scholars in whose knowledge, trustworthiness, and piety you have confidence. As for going to Makkah while one of you is empty of the rulings of Hajj, that is negligence and carelessness. We ask Allah to grant us beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds.
The questioner : Amen. May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Some scholars hold that 'Umrah is not to be repeated within the year, but rather performed once a year. Others hold that there is no harm in repeating it, but they set the condition on the growth of hair; if one shaves, then when the hair grows back and turns black, one may perform 'Umrah. This was reported from Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) that when his head is washed, meaning when the hair grows and turns black, he then performs 'Umrah, because shaving or shortening the hair is among the obligations of 'Umrah, and that cannot be done without hair. The Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned in one of his fatwas that it is disliked to perform 'Umrah frequently and to repeat it in succession, as agreed upon by the Salaf. So if there is a month or so between one 'Umrah and the next, there is no harm in that, and it does not depart from what is prescribed, if Allah wills.
As for what some people do in Ramadan, repeating 'Umrah every day, that is a reprehensible religious innovation with no basis in the practice of the Salaf. It is well known that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) conquered Makkah and remained there for nineteen days, and he did not go out to the non-sacred area on any of those days to perform an 'Umrah. Likewise, in the 'Umrah of Qada', he stayed in Makkah for three days and did not perform an 'Umrah every day. It is not known from the righteous Salaf (may Allah be pleased with them) that they did that. The best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
Even more reprehensible is that some people, when they perform the first 'Umrah, shave part of their head for it and then exit the state of ihram. Then when they perform the second 'Umrah, they shave another part and exit the state of ihram, and they divide their head according to the number of 'Umrahs they are performing. I witnessed a man performing sa'y between al-Safa and al-Marwah with half of his head shaved and the other half covered in thick hair. I asked him why, and he said, "I shaved this side for yesterday's 'Umrah, and the rest is for today's 'Umrah." This undoubtedly indicates ignorance, because shaving part of the head and leaving part is among the qaza' (shaving in patches) that is prohibited. Furthermore, shaving part of the head and leaving part is not a ritual act of worship for Allah; rather, it is disliked. However, ignorance has become widespread among many people. We ask Allah for safety. There are two reasons for this. The first reason is the lack of warning by scholars to the general public regarding such matters, and scholars are responsible for this. It is well known that a layperson does not fully accept guidance from anyone other than the scholars of his land. Therefore, it is obligatory for the scholars of the lands of the Muslims to clarify to the general public, during the days of the religious occasions when they arrive in Makkah, what is obligatory for them, what is prescribed for them, and what they are prohibited from, so that they may worship Allah with knowledge.
As for the second reason, it is the lack of awareness among the general public and their lack of interest in knowledge. They do not ask the scholars, nor do they inquire among themselves. Rather, one of them comes and does what the ignorant masses do, as if he is saying, "I saw people doing something, so I did it." This is a great error. Therefore, it is obligatory for a person who intends to perform Hajj or 'Umrah to learn the rulings of Hajj and 'Umrah from a scholar he trusts, so that he may worship Allah with knowledge.
You would be greatly amazed if a person wanted to travel to Makkah, for example, that he would not travel to it until he searches for the road: where is the road leading to Makkah, and which is the best of the roads so that he may take it. But when he wants to come to Makkah for Hajj or 'Umrah, he does not ask how to perform Hajj or how to perform 'Umrah, even though his asking how to perform Hajj and how to perform 'Umrah is more important, because it is a question about religion and worship.
To those who want to perform Hajj, we say to them: Search for the rulings of Hajj before you perform it. Be in the company of a student of knowledge who clarifies and guides you. Carry with you books that discuss Hajj and 'Umrah by scholars in whose knowledge, trustworthiness, and piety you have confidence. As for going to Makkah while one of you is empty of the rulings of Hajj, that is negligence and carelessness. We ask Allah to grant us beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds.
The questioner : Amen. May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh.