When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performed the Farewell Pilgrimage, and we had a camel, AbuMa'qil dedicated it to the cause of Allah. Then we suffered from a disease, and AbuMa'qil died. The Prophet (ﷺ) went out (for hajj). When he finished the hajj, I came to him.
He said (to me): Umm Ma'qil, what prevented you from coming out for hajj along with us?
She said: We resolved (to do so), but AbuMa'qil died. We had a camel on which we could perform hajj, but AbuMa'qil had bequeathed it to the cause of Allah.
He said: Why did you not go out (for hajj) upon it, for hajj is in the cause of Allah? If you miss this hajj along with us, perform umrah during Ramadan, for it is like hajj.
She used to say: hajj is hajj, and umrah is umrah. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said it to me: I do not know whether it was peculiar to me.
The Rites of Hajj (Kitab Al-Manasik Wa'l-Hajj)
Sunan Abi Dawud - Hadith 1989
Hadith Commentary
This narration demonstrates the flexibility and wisdom of Islamic jurisprudence regarding religious obligations. When Abu Ma'qil dedicated his camel to Allah's cause before his death, his widow Umm Ma'qil understood this as preventing its use for Hajj.
The Prophet (ﷺ) clarified that performing Hajj itself is an act in Allah's cause, thus the dedication did not preclude its use for this sacred journey. This ruling reflects the principle that acts of worship should not be made unduly difficult.
Juridical Rulings
The Prophet's statement that Umrah in Ramadan equals Hajj in reward (though not in obligation) shows Allah's immense mercy. This is considered a special concession (khassah) for those unable to perform Hajj.
Scholars note this equivalence applies only to reward, not to fulfilling the obligatory Hajj. The distinction between Hajj and Umrah remains, as Umm Ma'qil correctly observed in her final remark.
Scholarly Insights
Classical commentators emphasize that dedicated property (sadaqah) may be used for purposes that serve Allah's cause, including Hajj for the poor. The Prophet's guidance prevented unnecessary hardship while honoring the deceased's intention.
This hadith also illustrates the importance of consulting scholars regarding religious matters, as Umm Ma'qil's initial understanding would have deprived her of performing Hajj unnecessarily.