How Does the Hanafi School Reconcile Hadith Suggesting ’Umra Is Obligatory with Another That Scholars Deem Weak?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question
How does the Hanafi School reconcile hadiths suggesting a ruling is obligatory with hadith 931 of Tirmidhi, which some scholars deem weak?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
The Narration in Question
The noble companion, Jabir Ibn Abdullah (Allah be pleased with him), narrates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was asked whether the lesser pilgrimage (‘umra) is an obligation. He replied, “No, though if you were to perform the lesser pilgrimage (‘umra), that is best.” [Tirmidhi]
The Hanafi Position
The narration in question is, in fact, perfectly aligns with the Hanafi position: performing the lesser pilgrimage (‘umra) is not obligatory as opposed to other schools. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
Understanding Legal Reasonings
Understanding the reasons why certain rulings were chosen in the Hanafi School would require years of study in the Arabic language and Islamic sciences, culminating in the study of the principles of jurisprudence (Usul al-Fiqh).
After becoming firmly rooted in these sciences, one would examine all of the relevant texts and evidences, not only a single narration. The Quran, Prophetic narrations (Hadith), the opinions of the Companions (if available), and those of the great Imams of Islam are examined, then compared using those same principles to determine what is likely the correct ruling with Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace). Hope this helps.
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
عَنْ جَابِرٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم سُئِلَ عَنِ الْعُمْرَةِ أَوَاجِبَةٌ هِيَ قَالَ “ لاَ وَأَنْ تَعْتَمِرُوا هُوَ أَفْضَلُ ” . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ
Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies at Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen.
There, he completed the memorization of the Quran and his study of Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study, he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, Shaykh ‘Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others.
Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.
