Performing more umrahs vs more tawaaf

When a person goes for umrah, is it better to perform more umrahs or to perform more tawaaf in the Haram?

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

Performing one umrah is undoubtedly more virtuous than performing one tawaaf due to the different rites within umrah (ihraam, tawaaf, sa’ee, cutting hair). However, in the same amount of time one can perform one ‘umrah, one could perform tawaaf multiple times. Thus, it would be better to perform multiple tawaafs in place of ‘umrah.

However, during the month of Ramadan it would be better to perform ‘umrah instead of multiple tawaafs due to the special virtue of performing ‘umrah during Ramadan. Consider the following hadith:

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) asked a woman from the Ansar, “Why don’t you perform hajj with us?” The woman replied that they only owned two camels: one was to be used by her husband and son to perform hajj, while the other was to help cultivate their land. Upon hearing this, the Messenger (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “When Ramadan comes, be sure to perform ‘umrah. Indeed performing an ‘umrah during Ramdan is equivalent to performing hajj with me.

(Muslim) 

والله اعلم

Allah Knows best.

Approved by: Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani