Is the performance of Umrah obligatory upon the residents of Mecca?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
The performance of Umrah is not obligatory upon the residents of Mecca. This position is explicitly stated by Ahmad. The justification is that the essential component and core of Umrah is the Tawaf (circumambulation) of the Ka'bah, which the residents of Mecca perform regularly as part of their Hajj obligations. Therefore, their regular Tawaf suffices them for Umrah.
Supporting text
Ibn Abbas held the view that Umrah is obligatory upon all people. He specifically addressed the residents of Mecca, stating that their Umrah is their Tawaf of the House (Ka'bah). This view is also held by Ata and Tawus. Ata stated that every creation of God must perform both Hajj and Umrah if they have the means, except for the residents of Mecca, for whom Hajj is obligatory but Umrah is not, due to their frequent Tawaf.