Short answer
Not on five days. In the Hanafi school umrah is makruh tahrimi on the Day of Arafah (9 Dhul Hijjah), the day of sacrifice (10th) and the three days after it (11th to 13th), for everyone. On every other day of the year, including the rest of the Hajj months, umrah is allowed.
Entering ihram for umrah from 9 to 13 Dhul Hijjah is makruh tahrimi, whether or not one is performing Hajj. Umrah in Shawwal, Dhul Qa'dah and the first eight days of Dhul Hijjah is allowed, which is how tamattu works.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Umrah is allowed on any day; only a pilgrim still busy with Hajj, such as one who has stoning left, may not start it.
- Hanbali
- Umrah is allowed on any day for one not busy with Hajj rites.
Explanation
Hanafi jurists rely on reports from A'ishah and other Companions that umrah is disliked on these days. These are the days set apart for the rites of Hajj: standing at Arafah, the sacrifice and the stoning, which the Quran calls the numbered days of remembrance. Making them days of umrah crowds out their purpose.
- Pilgrims doing Hajj: do not start a new umrah until after the 13th. If you want an extra umrah, do it on the 14th or later, before you travel home.
- People in Makkah not doing Hajj: the same five days apply to them in the Hanafi school.
- Tamattu: its umrah is done before the 8th, so it is not affected.
- If someone did it: Hanafi texts discuss what is owed when an umrah is started on these days. Ask a scholar, since the answer depends on your situation.
For more on repeating umrah, see multiple umrahs in one trip. For umrah's status in general, see is umrah fard or sunnah.
Ask a mufti about your own case. This answer explains the general ruling. When the details of your situation matter, as they do here, ask a qualified mufti and give them the full facts. Where to ask a scholar.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:203
۞ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فِىٓ أَيَّامٍۢ مَّعْدُودَٰتٍۢ ۚ فَمَن تَعَجَّلَ فِى يَوْمَيْنِ فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ وَمَن تَأَخَّرَ فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ لِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ ۗ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ ﴿٢٠٣﴾
And remember Allah during [specific] numbered days. Then whoever hastens [his departure] in two days - there is no sin upon him; and whoever delays [until the third] - there is no sin upon him - for him who fears Allah. And fear Allah and know that unto Him you will be gathered.
These days are set apart for the rites of Hajj.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Hajj, bab al-'umrah. Umrah is makruh on the Day of Arafah, the day of sacrifice and the days of tashreeq.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hajj, bab al-'umrah. The dislike is tahrimi and applies to everyone.
- al-Majmu' (Nawawi), Kitab al-Hajj, on the times of umrah. The Shafi'i view that umrah is allowed at all times.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.