Does Hajj or Umrah clear all your sins?
Is my slate wiped clean when I go for Umrah or Hajj?
It is a common perception that going for ʿUmrah or Ḥajj erases one’s sins, and this is indeed true to a great extent. Both acts are immense opportunities for purification and renewal, but there are important nuances to understand.
Hajj as a purifier
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or sin, will return (free from sin) as on the day his mother bore him.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
This hadith clearly indicates that Hajj, when performed correctly and sincerely, can be a total cleansing of sins, returning the believer to a state of spiritual purity.
As for ʿUmrah, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“One Umrah to another is an expiation for what is between them.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
These narrations show the incredible mercy of Allah in forgiving sins through these acts of worship.
This does not mean that we have a blanket cheque to sin, because we can simply go for Hajj and Umrah and have our slates wiped clean.
Major Sins vs. Minor Sins
Scholars have clarified that these hadiths generally refer to minor sins. Major sins (known as kabāʾir) are not automatically forgiven by Hajj or ʿUmrah unless true repentance (tawbah) is made.
Imam Nawawi (may Allah be pleased with him) explains:
“The scholars said that what is meant is that minor sins are expiated by acts such as Hajj, Umrah, prayer, and fasting. As for major sins, they require specific repentance.”
Conditions of true repentance
For a major sin to be forgiven, sincere repentance must meet three conditions:
1. Stop committing the sin immediately.
2. Feel regret for having committed it.
3. Firmly resolve never to return to it.
And if the sin involved violating the rights of another person, a fourth condition is added:
4. Rectify the harm, either by returning what was taken, seeking forgiveness, or compensating them.
Allah says:
“And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” (Surat An-Nur 24:31)
Sins between you and Allah vs. Sins between you and people
It’s also critical to distinguish between:
• Sins between you and Allah – e.g. missed prayers (ṣalāh), not fasting, etc.
• Sins between you and others – e.g. backbiting, theft, injustice in business.
Hajj or ʿUmrah does not automatically forgive:
• Missed prayers: These are debts to Allah, and should be made up as qaḍāʾ (missed prayers).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The first thing a person will be asked about on the Day of Judgement is his prayer.” (Nasai’i)
Rights of others
Allah will not forgive sins involving another human until that person forgives or the wrong is corrected.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever has wronged his brother with regard to his honour or anything else, let him seek his pardon before the Day comes when there will be no dinar or dirham.” (Bukhari)
Logical reflection
If ʿUmrah or Hajj could erase missed prayers and other obligations, then someone might delay or abandon their duties, assuming they can simply “reset” later by going to Makkah. This goes against the spirit of Islam and accountability.
The Prophet ﷺ never taught this, and the Companions never understood Hajj and ʿUmrah as substitutes for fulfilling obligations or fixing wrongs against others.
Yes, Hajj and ʿUmrah are powerful means of earning Allah’s forgiveness, especially for minor sins. But for major sins, especially those that involve other people or obligations like prayer, one must take further steps of repentance and repair.
Use your Hajj or ʿUmrah as a turning point, a sincere renewal of your relationship with Allah and His creation. Come back with a pure heart, ready to make amends and fulfil your duties.
Allah’s forgiveness is vast
Allah says:
“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’” (Surat Az-Zumar 39:53)
And in a hadith qudsi, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“O son of Adam, if your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky and you were then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you.” (Tirmidhi)
This is a message of hope: no matter what your past contains, the door to repentance is always open. Going for Hajj or ʿUmrah is a powerful step, but even before or after that, a sincere heart turning to Allah will find Him ready to forgive.
Shaykh Haytham Tamim 3rd June 2025