Umrah rulings in the Hanafi school

The fard acts of Umrah

Two acts are obligatory, and Umrah does not stand without them.

• Ihram. Adopting ihram, which includes making the intention for Umrah, and is the condition of Umrah.
• Tawaf al-Umrah. The tawaf around the Kaaba, which is the pillar of Umrah. The greater part of its seven circuits must be done.

The wajib acts of Umrah

Two further acts are necessary. Leaving either of them without an excuse calls for a sacrifice in the Haram.

• Sa'i. Walking seven laps between Safa and Marwah.
• Halq or taqsir. Shaving or shortening the hair to come out of ihram.

Within tawaf itself, being in wudu, keeping the Hatim inside your circuit and praying two rak'ahs afterwards are also necessary. See how to perform tawaf.

What is forbidden in ihram

• Applying perfume or using scented products.
• For men, covering the head and wearing stitched or sewn garments.
• Cutting the hair or nails, or removing hair from the body.
• Hunting land game, or helping someone to hunt it.
• Marital relations and everything that leads to them.
• Quarrelling, sinful speech and disputes.

If a rule of ihram is broken, a penalty of a sacrifice (damm) or charity (sadaqah) may become due to restore the sanctity of the Umrah. The amount depends on the case, so ask a scholar about your own situation. Sisters have a few differences, which are covered in Umrah for women.

Penalties in brief

These are the main penalties in the Hanafi school, as set out in the guide this page is based on. They must be paid within the Haram, and a scholar should confirm the amount for your case.

• A sheep or goat (damm) is due for perfume covering a full limb, hair dye or henna, oil covering a full limb, stitched clothing or a covered head for a full day (brothers), shaving a quarter of the head or more, shaving body hair, cutting the nails of a full hand or foot in one sitting, and leaving out a wajib act.
• A cow or camel is due for performing tawaf while in need of a full bath (ghusl).
• Charity (sadaqah), half a sa' of wheat (about 1.6 kg) or its value, is due for perfume on less than a full limb, stitched clothing or a covered head for less than a day, shaving less than a quarter of the head (including trimming the beard or shaving someone else's hair), and cutting a single nail or someone else's nails.
• The value of the animal, set by two upright local men, is due for killing an animal or hunting in the Haram. For a small insect, a small charity of your choice is due.
• A choice of three is allowed when perfume, shaving or stitched clothing was needed for a valid reason: a sheep or goat, or feeding six poor people three sa' of food (about 9.6 kg), or fasting three days.

When can Umrah be made?

There is no fixed time for Umrah, and it can be made at any point in the year. The Hanafi school holds it to be disliked on the five days of Hajj: the day of Arafah (9th), the day of Nahr (10th) and the three days of Tashriq (11th to 13th).

Around the Kaaba

• Hajar al-Aswad. The Black Stone, where every circuit begins and ends.
• Rukn al-Yamani. The Yemeni Corner, touched in passing if you can reach it.
• Hatim. The low semicircular wall, which belongs to the Kaaba and must stay inside your tawaf.
• Mizab al-Rahmah. The golden waterspout on the side of the Hatim.
• Maqam Ibrahim. The Station of Ibrahim, where the two rak'ahs of tawaf are prayed.
• Multazam. The wall between the Black Stone and the door of the Kaaba, a place where dua is accepted.

Questions about the rulings of Umrah

This guide follows the Hanafi method and is based on Shaykh Mufti Wajid Iqbal's Umrah book, Essential Islam. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.