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Is Ghusl Necessary before ‘Umrah?

10-11-2009

Question 106568

Is it obligatory for a person to do ghusl on the day on which he intends to do ‘Umrah, or can he do ghusl for it a day beforehand?

Summary of answer:

If you do ghusl one day before entering ihram for ‘umrah or hajj, that will not benefit you, but your Hajj or ‘Umrah will be valid because doing ghusl is not a condition for Hajj or ‘Umrah.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Is ghusl necessary before ‘umrah?

Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

“Doing ghusl when entering ihram is Sunnah. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) took off his regular clothes and did ghusl for entering ihram. 

Asma bint `Umays (may Allah be pleased with her) was bleeding following childbirth, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told her to do ghusl and enter ihram .

Can you do ghusl one day before `Umrah?

If a person does ghusl one day before entering ihram , that will not benefit him, but his Hajj or ‘Umrah will be valid, because doing ghusl is not a condition for Hajj or ‘Umrah; rather it is Sunnah -- if a person does it, he will be rewarded for it, but if he does not do it, there is no sin on him.” (Majmu` al-Fatwa, 10/22)

And Allah knows best.

Sifat al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (Description of Hajj and ‘Umrah)
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