It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to an Ansari woman—he also mentioned her name but I have forgotten it: "What is the matter that you are not going with us for Hajj this year?" She replied: "O Noble Prophet of Allah! We had two camels. My husband and son have taken one camel and set out on a journey, and the other camel is left behind, on which we bring water." The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When the month of Ramadan comes, perform Umrah, for Umrah performed in this month is equal to Hajj."
Hadith Referenceالفتح الربانی / كتاب الحج والعمرة / 4082
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«أخرجه البخاري: 1782، 1863، ومسلم: 1256، (انظر مسند أحمد ترقيم الرسالة: 2025 ترقیم بيت الأفكار الدولية: 2025»
Brief Explanation
Benefits: … The virtue of performing ‘umrah in Ramadan is established here, but certainly this ‘umrah will not suffice in place of Hajj. Imam Ibn Khuzaymah said regarding this virtue: When one thing resembles another in certain matters and meanings, it is given the same ruling in those aspects, not in its entirety. This is why the obligatory Hajj and a vowed Hajj cannot be fulfilled through ‘umrah. It is also understood from this that the permissible needs of the household should be given precedence over Hajj. Subhan Allah! How much moderation and beauty there is in the Shari‘ah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. If a person has the ability to perform ‘umrah but not Hajj, then he should give preference to performing ‘umrah in Ramadan, so that he may at least attain the reward for that obligation which he is unable to fulfill in his lifetime.