Performing العمرة in Shawwal is جائز and carries great reward. النبي performed his العمرةs outside of Shawwal, but his companions performed العمرة in Shawwal. A الحاج who performs العمرة in Shawwal and then performs الحج in the same season is considered a mutamatti' (performing الحج tamattu') and must offer a sacrifice.
Performing العمرة in Shawwal is جائز, virtuous, and was practiced by the Companions. Shawwal is one of the designated الحج months (Shawwal, Dhul Qa'dah, and the first ten days of ذو الحجة), and performing العمرة during these months is the السنة of the Companions. A الحاج who performs العمرة in Shawwal and intends to perform الحج in the same year becomes a mutamatti', performing الحج tamattu', and is required to offer a sacrifice (هدي).
الشيخ ابن باز stated that العمرة in Shawwal is one of the best forms of العمرة because it falls within the الحج months and can be combined with الحج as tamattu'. He mentioned that النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) commanded his companions during the Farewell الحج to convert their الحج to العمرة and then perform الحج separately — this occurred in the الحج months, demonstrating the virtue of this practice.
الشيخ ابن عثيمين explained that if a person performs العمرة in Shawwal and then returns to his country before coming back for الحج, scholars differ on whether he is still considered a mutamatti'. The majority hold that returning home between العمرة and الحج breaks the tamattu' connection, meaning he would not owe a sacrifice. However, if he remains in مكة or performs الحج without returning home, the tamattu' connection remains and the sacrifice is واجب.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'An العمرة in رمضان is equal (in reward) to a الحج — or a الحج with me.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'An العمرة in رمضان is equal (in reward) to a الحج — or a الحج with me.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told his companions to make their الحج into العمرة (during the الحج months), and he said: 'If I had known beforehand what I know now, I would not have brought a sacrificial animal, and I would have made it an العمرة.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told his companions to make their الحج into العمرة (during the الحج months), and he said: 'If I had known beforehand what I know now, I would not have brought a sacrificial animal, and I would have made it an العمرة.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
العمرة in Shawwal is valid and carries the same reward as العمرة in other months. If followed by الحج, the الحاج is performing tamattu' and owes a sacrifice.
Al-Hidayah: العمرة in the الحج months followed by الحج constitutes tamattu'.
العمرة in Shawwal is جائز. The Maliki school actually considers العمرة in the الحج months to be makruh for those not intending الحج, as it was not the frequent practice of النبي.
Al-Mudawwanah: Imam Malik مكروه العمرة in the الحج months unless followed by الحج.
العمرة in Shawwal is جائز and valid. If followed by الحج in the same year, it is tamattu' and the الحاج owes a sacrifice.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: العمرة in the الحج months is valid and may constitute tamattu'.
العمرة in Shawwal is مستحب, especially if the person intends الحج in the same year. Tamattu' is the preferred form of الحج in the Hanbali school.
Al-Mughni by ابن قدامة: tamattu' (العمرة then الحج) is the best form of الحج.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'An العمرة in رمضان is equal (in reward) to a الحج — or a الحج with me.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1863 (sahih)النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told his companions to make their الحج into العمرة (during the الحج months), and he said: 'If I had known beforehand what I know now, I would not have brought a sacrificial animal, and I would have made it an العمرة.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1568 (sahih)