Ramadan Article - Virtues of ‘Umrah Performed in Ramadan

Ibn 'Abbaasnarrated,"When the Prophetreturned after performing Hajj
)major pilgrimage(, he asked Umm Sinaan Al-Ansaariyyah,'Why did you
not perform Hajj?'She replied, 'The father of so-and-so]i.e., her
husband[ had two camels and he went on pilgrimage on one of them, and
the second is used for the irrigation of our land.' The Prophetsaid
]to her[:'An 'Umrah )minor pilgrimage( in Ramadan is akin to Hajj with
me]in terms of reward[.'"]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[ According to another
narration, he told her:"When Ramadan comes, do 'Umrah as ]the
rewardfor[ it then is equivalent to Hajj."
Likewise, it was reported by Umm Ma'qilthat the Prophet,, said to
her,"Perform 'Umrah in Ramadan, as it is equal toHajj."]Abu Daawood[
SimilarHadeeths werealso narrated on the authority of Jaabir, Anas,
Abu Hurayrah and Wahb ibn Khanbashall.
Ibn Battaalcommented on the aforementionedHadeeths, saying:
The sentence that'Umrah"then is equivalent to Hajj", proves thatthe
Prophet,, was actually encouraging her to perform a voluntaryHajj, as
the wholeUmmah)Muslim nation( has unanimously agreed that the'Umrahcan
never be a substitute for the obligatoryHajj. Moreover, what he,,
meant is that they are like each other in reward, butvirtues cannot
truly be perceived through analogy; and Allaah The Almighty bestows
His Bounty upon whom He Wills.
Benefits and rulings ]derived from theseHadeeths[:
1-The mercy and bounty bestowed by Allaah The Almightyupon His slaves
is great, as He granted them huge rewards in return for small good
deeds; so, we praise Him abundantly for that.
2-The Prophet,, was keen on ensuring the welfare of hisUmmahand would
ask after those under his rule. Just as he was the sincerest confidant
to allpeople, any slave whom Allaah The Almighty puts in charge of
subjects should treat them leniently, advise them, check on their
conditions and serve their worldly and religious benefits.
3-'Umrahdone during the monthofRamadancannot be a substitute for the
obligatoryHajj, i.e., they are equal in reward, but the former does
not replace the latter as a fulfillment of the obligation that is
unanimously agreed upon by the scholars.
4-The reward of good deeds increases in proportion to the virtue of
the time they are performed in, as well as one's heartfelt devotion
and dedication.
5-ThisHadeethis similar to the narration that says,"The Chapter
Al-Ikhlaas )Purification( equals one third of the Quran"; it indicates
that it is equivalent in terms of the reward of recitation,not that
reciting it could, or should, substitute actually reciting ]that much
or[ the wholeof the Quran.
6-The'Umrahhere is considered equal to theHajjin reward, when it is
performed during the monthofRamadan, which is a great season for good
deeds. Hence, whoever performs it then, enjoysthe virtue of the place
]i.e., the Sacred Mosque in Makkah[ and time ]i.e.,Ramadan[; this is
also the case with one who performsHajj, as he is also in the same
holy place and in a blessed time]i.e., months ofHajj[.
In addition, doing'Umrahin the month ofRamadanis more difficult. That
is because one maybe fasting while performing it or break his fast due
to the traveling involved, and then have to make up for it. This is
not the case when one performs'Umrahduring any other month. The
Prophet,, said to 'Aa'ishahonce, when he ordered her to
perform'Umrah,"It ]i.e., its reward[ is according to your effort", or,
as per another narration,"according to your expenditure."]Muslim[
7-This great reward is granted towhoever performs the'Umrahduring the
month ofRamadan, even if he ]or she[ returns immediately thereafter
and does not prolong his ]or her[ stay in Makkah.
8-TheseHadeethsdo not mean that it is recommended for one to
perform'Umrahmany times inthe month ofRamadanor in a single day of it.
This practice, which has become common today, differs from
theSunnahand traditions of the honorable Companionsas it was not
reported that any of them used to perform many'Umrahs duringthe same
journey to Makkah.
9-Whoever performs'UmrahinRamadanand intends to stay at the Holy
Mosque during the whole month or its last ten nights, should guard
himself against committing any prohibition, because evil deeds are
more sacrilegious in Makkah than in any other place, not to mention,
during the month ofRamadan.
10-Whoever takes his family to stay at the Holy Mosque during the
month ofRamadan, should take care that they, too, do not fall into
committing any forbidden act; otherwise, he may return with sins that
exceed the reward he came to earn, due to his negligence towards his
wife and children.
11-If one entered the state ofIhraam)ritual consecration( with the
intention of performing'Umrahand reached Makkah while fasting, he has
the choice of either breaking his fast to be able to do it immediately
or waiting to do it until after sunset. It is better for him to break
his fast during the daytimeand perform'Umrahupon arrival,since
doing'Umrahright after reaching Makkah, is what the Prophet,, did.