Is Hajj Compulsory After Umrah?
Is Hajj Compulsory After Umrah? Islamic Ruling Explained
No, performing Umrah does not make Hajj obligatory. When Hajj is due and a Muslim is able to undertake the journey and fulfill the conditions of Hajj, then Hajj becomes obligatory.
Both Umrah and Hajj are acts of worship related to the Sacred House in Makkah, but they are not the same pilgrimage. Performing ‘Umrah does not mean that you have performed Hajj.
Once you have confirmed your eligibility to perform the pilgrimage and plan to perform Hajj after Umrah, the next step is to arrange your travel, accommodation, flights and other essential services.
If you are looking for Hajj packages in Bangladesh then you can check out our Economy, Luxury, VIP options available and compare the services included in each package before making a decision.
Is Hajj compulsory after Umrah?
Hajj is obligatory on every Muslim who is able to perform it at least once in his life. There is no separate rule that requires you to perform Hajj immediately after performing Umrah.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
“And pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to undertake the journey. And whoever denies this, then surely Allah is not in need of the worlds.”
— Surah Ali 'Imran 3:97
The key phrase is مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا (man استطاع ilayhi sabilan), which refers to having the ability or means to undertake the pilgrimage.
Therefore, the obligation relates to Hajj and the person's ability to perform it, not to whether the person has previously completed Umrah.
Can Umrah be accepted in place of Hajj?
No. The Umrah does not replace the obligatory Hajj.
A Muslim person who performs Umrah has performed Umrah. If the person later fulfils the conditions that make Hajj obligatory, the obligation of Hajj remains.
Hajj has rituals that are not part of an ordinary Umrah. Standing at Arafah is one of the essential rites of Hajj . This happens on particular days of Hajj .
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
الْحَجُّ عَرَفَةُ
“Hajj is Arafah.”
— Sunan al-Tirmidhi 889; Sunan Abi Dawud 1949
This Hadith highlights the central importance of the standing at Arafah in Hajj.
What does the Qur’an say about Hajj and Umrah?
The Qur’an mentions both Hajj and Umrah in the context of pilgrimage.
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:196
Allah says:
وَأَتِمُّوا۟ ٱلْحَجَّ وَٱلْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ ۚ فَإِنْ أُحْصِرْتُمْ فَمَا ٱسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ ٱلْهَدْىِ ۖ وَلَا تَحْلِقُوا۟ رُءُوسَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ ٱلْهَدْىُ مَحِلَّهُ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ بِهِۦٓ أَذًۭى مِّن رَّأْسِهِۦ فَفِدْيَةٌۭ مِّن صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍۢ ۚ فَإِذَآ أَمِنتُمْ فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِٱلْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى ٱلْحَجِّ فَمَا ٱسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ ٱلْهَدْىِ ۚ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَٰثَةِ أَيَّامٍۢ فِى ٱلْحَجِّ وَسَبْعَةٍ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ ۗ تِلْكَ عَشَرَةٌۭ كَامِلَةٌۭ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن لَّمْ يَكُنْ أَهْلُهُۥ حَاضِرِى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
Meaning:
“And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then offer whatever sacrificial animal is available. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal reaches its place of slaughter. But whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the scalp and must shave, then let them compensate by fasting, charity, or offering. When you are secure, then whoever performs Umrah followed by Hajj must offer whatever sacrificial animal is available. But whoever cannot afford it, let them fast three days during Hajj and seven after returning—for a total of ten. This applies to those whose families do not reside near the Sacred Mosque. And be mindful of Allah and know that Allah is severe in punishment.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah 2:196
This verse is of special importance as it speaks of Umrah followed by Hajj and gives instruction about Tamattu'.
But the verse doesn't mean that every person who performs Umrah must perform Hajj immediately. It is concerned with the rites and conditions of pilgrimage and with the form of pilgrimage known as Hajj al-Tamattu'.
What is the definition of Hajj al-Tamattu’?
The Hajj al-Tamattu’ is when a person performs Umrah during the months of Hajj, then exits ihram after completing the Umrah, and then re-enters ihram for Hajj.
This kind of pilgrimage is specifically mentioned in Qur’an 2:196.
The usual case of a pilgrim performing Tamattu':
1. He entered ihram for ‘Umrah.
2. Tawaf (circumambulation).
3. Does Sa'i between Safa and Marwah.
4. Shaves or cuts hair and leaves ihram.
5. Returns to Ihram for Hajj.
6. Performs the rites of Hajj during the days of Hajj.
It should not be understood that any Umrah pilgrim is automatically bound to perform Hajj.
When does Hajj become obligatory?
The Hajj becomes obligatory upon the Muslim who fulfils the conditions of obligation as prescribed by the Islamic law.
The Qur’an gives the basic requirement of ability:
مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا
Meaning: “Those who are able to undertake the journey.”
— Surah Ali 'Imran 3:97
Scholars discuss the details of this ability, known as istita'ah, in Islamic jurisprudence.
It usually involves considerations like:
- Islam: Hajj is obligatory for Muslims.
- Adult: An adult Muslim is subject to the ruling of obligatory Hajj .
- Soundness and physical ability: The pilgrim must have the physical ability to make the pilgrimage
- Financial capability: The person must be able to afford the journey and other necessary costs.
- Safe and feasible journey: The conditions must permit the person to make the journey.
- Other personal obligations: Financial responsibilities and necessary circumstances that may impact whether a person currently has the ability to.
The precise details may vary among schools of Islamic jurisprudence.
Does Umrah make Hajj obligatory immediately?
No. Performing Umrah does not automatically make Hajj obligatory.
Think of two people.
" Person A " does Umrah but cannot afford to do Hajj or is unable to do Hajj due to physical incapacity. Performing Umrah does not make Hajj incumbent upon the one performing it.
" Person B " does Umrah and has reached the level of skill required for obligatory Hajj. The conditions of Hajj have been fulfilled, so Hajj might already be obligatory.
What is important is whether the conditions of the obligatory Hajj are present or not, not merely whether Umrah has been performed or not.
Is it possible to perform Umrah without performing Hajj?
Yes. A Muslim can perform Umrah without doing Hajj.
Umrah and Hajj are two distinct acts of worship. A person can perform Umrah outside the Hajj pilgrimage without completing Hajj at the same time.
The timing also differs.
What Is the Difference Between Hajj and Umrah?
Umrah
- Timing: Can generally be performed throughout the year.
- Rituals: Includes Tawaf around the Kaaba and Sa'i between Safa and Marwah.
- Arafah: Does not include the standing at Arafah.
- Hajj obligation: Does not replace obligatory Hajj.
Hajj
- Timing: Takes place during specific days of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah.
- Rituals: Includes Tawaf, Sa'i, and additional Hajj rites.
- Arafah: Includes the standing at Arafah.
- Hajj obligation: Fulfils the Hajj obligation when validly performed.
Is Hajj compulsory once in a lifetime?
Yes, obligatory Hajj is generally required once in a lifetime for a Muslim who has the required ability.**
The Prophet ﷺ explained this principle in a well-known Hadith.
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ addressed the people and said:
> **يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، قَدْ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ الْحَجَّ فَحُجُّوا**
Meaning:
> “O people, Allah has made Hajj obligatory upon you, so perform Hajj.”
A man asked whether it was required every year. The Prophet ﷺ remained silent until the man repeated the question. He then said:
> **لَوْ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ لَوَجَبَتْ وَلَمَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ**
Meaning:
> “If I had said yes, it would have become obligatory, and you would not have been able to do it.”
— Sahih Muslim 1337
This Hadith establishes an important distinction: obligatory Hajj is not an annual obligation.
Does Umrah during Ramadan make Hajj compulsory?
No. Performing Umrah during Ramadan does not make Hajj compulsory.
Umrah in Ramadan has a special virtue. The Prophet ﷺ said:
> **عُمْرَةٌ فِي رَمَضَانَ تَقْضِي حَجَّةً مَعِي**
Meaning:
> “An Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to a Hajj with me.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari 1863; Sahih Muslim 1256
The Hadith describes the exceptional reward of Umrah in Ramadan. It does not mean that Ramadan Umrah removes the legal obligation of Hajj from a person upon whom Hajj is obligatory.
This distinction matters:
Reward is not the same as fulfilling the legal obligation of Hajj.
A person who performs Umrah in Ramadan should still perform obligatory Hajj when the conditions of Hajj apply.
Does Umrah replace Hajj?
No, Umrah does not replace obligatory Hajj.
The two pilgrimages have different rites and requirements.
For example, Umrah does not include the obligatory standing at Arafah that forms part of Hajj.
Allah also specifies the obligation of Hajj in Surah Ali 'Imran:
> **وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا**
Meaning:
> “And pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to undertake the journey.”
— Surah Ali 'Imran 3:97
Thus, the obligation of Hajj is not fulfilled by performing ‘Umrah.
What if you can afford Umrah but not Hajj?
Being able to afford Umrah does not automatically mean you have the financial capacity for Hajj.
Hajj has its own financial needs. You are to take into account necessary living expenses, debts and other legitimate financial obligations.
For instance, a person might have enough money saved up for a short Umrah trip but not enough for Hajj. The two situations may not be financially equivalent.
Because financial situations vary, anyone with debts, dependents or unusual financial obligations should consult a qualified scholar about his or her particular situation.
Is it permitted to delay Hajj if one is able to do it?
This question needs more detail because scholars differ in their discussion of when the obligation of Hajj is upon the Muslim.
The broad rule is that when Hajj becomes obligatory, a Muslim should not take the obligation lightly or delay it without a valid reason.
One should consider the state of affairs at the time, the availability of travel, health, finances and relevant Islamic rulings.
Current regulations on pilgrimage also affect the timing of when someone can realistically go for Hajj. Religious obligation and government travel requirements are related, but not equivalent.
Hajj vs Umrah – Difference Between Hajj and Umrah
Hajj and Umrah have many rituals in common, but Hajj has extra rites and is performed at a specific time each year.
The rites of Hajj are:
- Ihram
- Tawaf
- Sa‘ī
- On the Day of Arafah
- Muzdalifah.
- Mina
- Stoning of the Jamarat
- Sacrifice in Hajj (and relevant forms)
- Cutting or trimming the hair
Umrah comprises of:
- Ihram.
- The circling of the Kaaba
- Sa'i between Safa and Marwa.
- Cutting or shaving the hair .
What distinguishes Hajj from a regular Umrah is the standing on Arafah.
What are the three kinds of Hajj?
In Islamic law, there are three recognized types of Hajj:
- Hajj al-Tamattu' -- Performing the Umrah first and then the Hajj in the season of Hajj.
- Hajj al-Qiran - Hajj and Umrah are performed in one Ihram.
- Hajj al-Ifrad — The pilgrim performs only Hajj, without combining it with Umrah.
The detailed rules for each type differ regarding ihram, sacrifice and the order of rituals.
What does Qur’an say about completing Hajj & Umrah?
Allah commands believers to complete Hajj and Umrah for His sake:
وَأَتِمُّوا۟ ٱلْحَجَّ وَٱلْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ
Meaning:
“And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah 2:196
This verse highlights the necessity of completing these acts of worship once they have been commenced in the appropriate circumstances.
It should not be understood as meaning that the completion of Umrah automatically creates a separate obligation to perform Hajj.
Qur'anic Proof of Hajj being Compulsory
The clearest Qur’anic statement appears in Surah Ali 'Imran:
وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا
Meaning:
“And pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to undertake the journey.”
— Surah Ali 'Imran 3:97
The verse links the obligation of Hajj with ability. This principle is a major basis for understanding why Umrah by itself does not make Hajj obligatory.