Hajj and `Umrah – Similarities (Hadith No. 1540)

Bismillah.

Volume 3, Book 27, Number 17:

Narrated Safwan bin Ya’la bin Umaiya from his father who said:

“A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) while he was at Ji’rana. The man was wearing a cloak which had traces of Khaluq or Sufra (a kind of perfume). The man asked (the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)), ‘What do you order me to perform in my ‘Umra?’ So, Allah inspired the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) divinely and he was screened by a place of cloth. I wished to see the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) being divinely inspired. ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) said to me, ‘Come! Will you be pleased to look at the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) while Allah is inspiring him?’ I replied in the affirmative. ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) lifted one corner of the cloth and I looked at the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) who was snoring. (The sub-narrator thought that he said: The snoring was like that of a camel). When that state was over, the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) asked, “Where is the questioner who asked about ‘Umra? Put off your cloak and wash away the traces of Khaluq from your body and clean the Sufra (yellow color) and perform in your Umra what you perform in your Hajj (i.e. the Tawaf round the Ka’ba and the Sa’i between Safa and Marwa). “

It happened a number of times in the life of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) that he got revelation about a certain matter instantly. This incident is one of those. And it proves that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) didn’t know everything, he didn’t know the unseen except whatever Allah revealed to him.

Coming to the statement “perform in your `Umrah what you perform in your Hajj”, it means perform Tawaaf and Sa`ee. It’s a general statement, but the implication is specific. It doesn’t mean that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) asked him to start doing the rituals of Hajj for his `Umrah (radiallaahu `anhu). Also, the things forbidden in Ihraam for Hajj are also forbidden in Ihraam for `Umrah, including perfume, intercourse, cutting hair etc.

As far as the condition of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) during wahy (Divine Inspiration) described in this Hadith, I can’t find any explanation of the words. So for now, take it as it is, and don’t try to interpret. If I find something, I’ll update the post inshaAllah.

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