Question

A person was on a visit to Saudi Arabia and performed ‘Umrah in Ramadan. This person stayed in Jeddah during his stay there and performed another ‘Umrah in Shawwaal. Is he required to offer a Hadyy (i.e. sacrificial animal) if he performs Hajj this year?

Fatwa

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

If this person performed ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj and did not travel (after that) a distance that allows shortening prayers, then his Hajj this year will be considered a Tamattu‘ Hajj if he performs it. This is because his stay in Jeddah was the same as his stay in Makkah and the distance between them does not allow shortening prayers (i.e. it was not considered a journey). Ibn Muflih, the Hanbali scholar said, "If a person travels between ‘Umrah and Hajj for a distance equal to or more than that which allows shortening prayers and then intends to perform Hajj, he is not required to offer a sacrifice. It is also narrated on the authority of ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said, 'One who returns home after ‘Umrah is not considered in a state of Tamattu’.”’

This applies in general. Ibn Muflih continued, “Abu Haneefah said, 'If he returns home, he is not required to slaughter a sacrifice (Hadyy) as reported from ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him.' Furthermore, Maalik said, 'If he goes back home or (travels) a similar distance, no sacrifice is due for him.'”

Allah Knows best.