Verse: "Complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah." (2:196)
The disputed question: Is Umrah obligatory like Hajj — or merely a strongly recommended sunnah?
First view: Umrah is obligatory (Shafi'i, Hanbali, and the majority):
- The verse paired Hajj and Umrah with the command of completion for Allah — indicating obligation.
- Hadith: "Hajj and Umrah are both obligatory." (Ibn Majah 2901 — weak chain)
- Hadith of Abu Razin: "O Messenger of Allah, my father is old... He said: perform Umrah on his behalf." — A command indicating obligation.
Second view: Umrah is a recommended sunnah, not obligatory (Hanafi and Maliki):
- "Wa atimmu" (complete) — means finish what you have begun — not a command to initiate.
- Hajj is mentioned in many verses without Umrah: "Pilgrimage to the House is a duty upon people to Allah." (3:97) — silence about Umrah.
- If it were obligatory like Hajj, it would have appeared in the major obligation verses.
Strongest view: The Shafi'i and Hanbali position is closer — "completion" (itam) includes both initiation and finishing. There is no disagreement about the recommendation of performing Umrah frequently.
Question: What verse is cited as evidence for the obligation of Umrah? What is the argument of those who say it is sunnah not obligatory?
Answer: Verse: "Complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah" (2:196). Argument against: "completion" means finishing what is started not initiating; and Al Imran 3:97 mentioned Hajj without Umrah.