Q 1: Is it true that the people of Makkah Al-Mukarramah do not have to offer `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage), and that and that their circumambulation of the Ka`bah is considered `Umrah, and that they do not have to enter Ihram (ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah)? Where is the Miqat (site for entering the ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah) of the people of Makkah when they intend to perform `Umrah?

A 1: `Umrah is obligatory upon every Muslim at least once in lifetime, just like Hajj, including the people of Makkah and other Muslims. Allah set it as a general ruling when He (Exalted be He) says: And perform properly (i.e. all the ceremonies according to the ways of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), the Hajj and ‘Umrah (i.e. the pilgrimage to Makkah) for Allâh. This ruling is also supported by the Hadith reported on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: O Messenger of Allah! Is Jihad (fighting/striving in the Cause of Allah) incumbent on women?" He replied: "Yes, Jihad which does not include fighting is incumbent on them. It is the Hajj and the `Umrah. (Related by Ahmad in his “Musnad (Hadith compilation), and Ibn Majah in his Sunan (Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes) through authentic Isnad [chain of narrators]). It was authentically reported on the authority of `Umar that the Prophet (peace be upon him) answered Gabriel when he asked him about Islam: Islam is to bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; to establish Salah (Prayer); to pay the Zakah (obligatory charity); to perform Hajj and `Umrah; to do Janabah Ghusl (full ritual bath to cleanse of sexual discharge) and to do Wudu` (ablution) perfectly; and to fast Ramadan. (Related by Ibn Khuzaymah and Al-Daraqutny, and Al- Darqutny said: "It is reported through authentic Isnad.") If the Hajj and `Umrah have been proven to be obligatory upon women, they should be obligatory on men first. Thus, we come to know that `Umrah is obligatory upon every (Part No. 10; Page No. 352) Mukallaf (person meeting the conditions to be held legally accountable for their actions), male or female, at least once in a lifetime, just like Hajj, for whoever is able to perform it. Accordingly, the people of Makkah should perform `Umrah at least once during their lifetime, just like all other Muslims. They should enter Ihram from the nearest place to Al-Hil (all areas outside the Sacred Sanctuary of Makkah), i.e., outside the boundaries of Al-Haram (all areas within the Sacred Sanctuary of Makkah).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.