Performing Umrah in Shawwal is boleh and carries great reward. Nabi performed his Umrahs outside of Shawwal, but his companions performed Umrah in Shawwal. A jamaah haji who performs Umrah in Shawwal and then performs Haji in the same season is considered a mutamatti' (performing Haji tamattu') and must offer a sacrifice.
Performing Umrah in Shawwal is boleh, virtuous, and was practiced by the Companions. Shawwal is one of the designated Haji months (Shawwal, Dhul Qa'dah, and the first ten days of Dzulhijjah), and performing Umrah during these months is the Sunnah of the Companions. A jamaah haji who performs Umrah in Shawwal and intends to perform Haji in the same year becomes a mutamatti', performing Haji tamattu', and is required to offer a sacrifice (hadyu).
Sheikh Ibn Baz stated that Umrah in Shawwal is one of the best forms of Umrah because it falls within the Haji months and can be combined with Haji as tamattu'. He mentioned that Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) commanded his companions during the Farewell Haji to convert their Haji to Umrah and then perform Haji separately — this occurred in the Haji months, demonstrating the virtue of this practice.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen explained that if a person performs Umrah in Shawwal and then returns to his country before coming back for Haji, scholars differ on whether he is still considered a mutamatti'. The majority hold that returning home between Umrah and Haji breaks the tamattu' connection, meaning he would not owe a sacrifice. However, if he remains in Mekkah or performs Haji without returning home, the tamattu' connection remains and the sacrifice is wajib.
Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'An Umrah in Ramadhan is equal (in reward) to a Haji — or a Haji with me.'
Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'An Umrah in Ramadhan is equal (in reward) to a Haji — or a Haji with me.'
Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) told his companions to make their Haji into Umrah (during the Haji 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 Umrah.'
Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) told his companions to make their Haji into Umrah (during the Haji 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 Umrah.'
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
Umrah in Shawwal is valid and carries the same reward as Umrah in other months. If followed by Haji, the jamaah haji is performing tamattu' and owes a sacrifice.
Al-Hidayah: Umrah in the Haji months followed by Haji constitutes tamattu'.
Umrah in Shawwal is boleh. The Maliki school actually considers Umrah in the Haji months to be makruh for those not intending Haji, as it was not the frequent practice of Nabi.
Al-Mudawwanah: Imam Malik disliked Umrah in the Haji months unless followed by Haji.
Umrah in Shawwal is boleh and valid. If followed by Haji in the same year, it is tamattu' and the jamaah haji owes a sacrifice.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: Umrah in the Haji months is valid and may constitute tamattu'.
Umrah in Shawwal is sunnah, especially if the person intends Haji in the same year. Tamattu' is the preferred form of Haji in the Hanbali school.
Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: tamattu' (Umrah then Haji) is the best form of Haji.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'An Umrah in Ramadhan is equal (in reward) to a Haji — or a Haji with me.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1863 (sahih)Nabi (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) told his companions to make their Haji into Umrah (during the Haji 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 Umrah.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1568 (sahih)