Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
❖ Introduction
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma ba‘d!
The months of Hajj (Ashhur al-Ḥajj) — in terms of time (zaman) — are clearly defined in the Qur’an and Sunnah, as explained below:
❖ Duration of the Hajj Months
✔ The months of Hajj begin from the start of Shawwāl.
✔ They end either on the 10th of Dhul-Ḥijjah (Yawm al-ʿĪd) or, according to the stronger scholarly view, on the last day of Dhul-Ḥijjah.
✔ Most scholars agree that the entire month of Dhul-Ḥijjah is included in the period of Hajj.
❖ Evidence from the Qur’an
﴿ ٱلْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌۭ مَّعْلُومَـٰتٌۭ ﴾
(Sūrah al-Baqarah: 197)
“Hajj is (performed in) well-known months.”
✔ The word “أَشْهُرٌ” (months) is in the plural form, which, by Arabic linguistic principles, implies at least three months.
✔ Therefore, this verse confirms that Hajj is not a one-day ritual, but rather an act of worship spread across multiple designated months:
Shawwāl, Dhul-Qaʿdah, and Dhul-Ḥijjah.
❖ Timeframe for Performing Hajj Rituals
Since the entire month of Dhul-Ḥijjah is included in the Hajj months:
✔ One may delay Ṭawāf al-Ifāḍah and Saʿī of Hajj until the end of Dhul-Ḥijjah.
✔ However, it is not permissible to delay these acts beyond this timeframe without a valid Sharʿi excuse.
❖ Example of a Valid Excuse
◈ If a woman becomes menstruating before performing Ṭawāf al-Ifāḍah, and the month of Dhul-Ḥijjah ends during this period:
✔ She is excused due to her condition.
✔ In such a case, it is permissible for her to perform the Ṭawāf afterward, even after the month ends.
❖ Timings for ʿUmrah
✔ Unlike Hajj, there is no specific time restriction for ʿUmrah.
✔ ʿUmrah can be performed at any time of the year.
❖ ʿUmrah in Ramadan
✔ An ʿUmrah performed during Ramadan carries the reward equal to Hajj, as mentioned in authentic narrations.
❖ The Prophet’s ﷺ ʿUmrah Performances
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ performed all his ʿUmrah rituals during the months of Hajj, showing its merit:
① ʿUmrah of Ḥudaybiyyah — in Dhul-Qaʿdah
② ʿUmrah al-Qaḍāʾ — in Dhul-Qaʿdah
③ ʿUmrah of Jiʿirrānah — in Dhul-Qaʿdah
④ ʿUmrah performed during Hajj — also in Dhul-Qaʿdah
❖ Key Points Derived
✔ Performing ʿUmrah during the Hajj months is more virtuous.
✔ The Prophet’s ﷺ exclusive selection of these months for ʿUmrah highlights their special status and significance.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
