We would like to say that the majority of scholars see that it is recommended to perform more than one `Umrah during the year.
In his response to this issue, a prominent Muslim scholar Dr. Muhammad AhmadAl-Musayyar, professor of Islamic creed and philosophy said:
Almighty Allah says, (And complete the hajj or `Umrah for Allah) (Al-Baqarah 2:196). Thus, Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam, and `Umrah is an obligation by the view of the majority of scholars. The difference between Hajj and `Umrah is that Hajj is limited to the months of Shawwal, Dhul-Qi`dah, and Dhul-Hijjah. Almighty Allah says, (The pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months) (Al-Baqarah 2:197). However, `Umrah can be performed at any time within the year.
Imam Abu Hanifah however sees that performing `Umrah on the Day of `Arafah, the Day of Sacrifice, and the Days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) is reprehensible (Makruh).
In addition, Hajj has certain rituals that are not included in `Umrah such as standing on `Arafah on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah and throwing the pebbles. Yet, there are rituals that are performed in both, Hajj and `Umrah, and they are: Ihram, Tawaf, going between Safa and Marwah, shaving and shortening the hair (for men only), and avoiding the impermissible things of Ihram, such as wearing sewn garments, hunting, and entering a marriage contract.
Regarding the virtues of Hajj and `Umrah, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “One`Umrah to another `Umrah is a kaffarah (expiation) for what is between [i.e. sins], and the Hajj mabrur (accepted) does not have a reward but Paradise itself.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Based on this hadith, Imam al-Shafi`i and the majority of scholars see that it is recommended to perform more than one `Umrah during the year. It is a worship that brings people closer to Allah and it is a visit to the place of goodness and purity.
In addition, there is no evidence prohibiting repeating the `Umrahs. The mentioned hadith is a proof that the ruling of repeating Hajj is different from that of `Umrah. furthermore, if `Umrah is only to be done once a year like Hajj, then their reward would have been the same.
Moreover, `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) performed `Umrah twice in a month. It was also reported that `Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) used to offer `Umrah many times a year.
Additionally, `Umrah has a special reward when performed in Ramadan. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised a woman who was not able to accompany him for Hajj by saying: “Perform a `Umrah when Ramadan comes, because a `Umrah in Ramadan equals a Hajj” (Muslim).