What Is Umrah in Islam and How Is It Different from Hajj?

Visiting the sacred city of Makkah for the most spiritual experience is the lifelong dream of countless Muslims. Millions embark on this journey every year, and yet there are still millions waiting for the opportunity and the invitation of the Almighty. Although this is a minor pilgrimage, it still has extensive rewards. However, many people still want to know about what Umrah is in Islam and how it is different from Hajj. It is not wrong to be curious, and surely there are some prominent differences between the two pilgrimages. 

The pilgrimage to Makkah symbolises humility, devotion, and submission to the Almighty. One of these, the Hajj, is an obligation of all the eligible Muslims to the Almighty. The second one is the voluntary or the minor pilgrimage, Umrah, which is a Sunnah act of worship. Every year, thousands of UK citizens perform both Hajj and Umrah. If you are also looking for an Umrah package from the UK and want to learn about the similarities and differences between the two pilgrimages, you are at the right place. 

Umrah as the Voluntary Islamic Pilgrimage

Let’s start by discussing what exactly Umrah is in Islam. It might not be obligatory, but it is quite rewarding. This pilgrimage also requires you to travel to the sacred house of Allah Almighty and perform the specified rituals. Umrah is an expression of faith, humility, and devotion to the Almighty. 

Hajj is not like Umrah. Hajj is obligatory on the eligible Muslims at least once in their life. Also, Hajj must be performed on specific dates of an Islamic month. Umrah, on the other hand, can be performed any time of the year and is not obligatory. 

Umrah’s spiritual significance is evident from the fact that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) performed this pilgrimage multiple times in his life. It is a source of forgiveness, faith renewal, and endless blessings. You get the perfect opportunity to mend your relationship with the Creator and get closer to Him through this pilgrimage. 

What is the Spiritual Purpose of Umrah? 

Umrah is a gratifying and spiritual act of worship. It is symbolic of a spiritual cleansing journey. Not only that, but it also gives you a chance to restart your life with a clean slate. This is the ultimate chance at redemption for the Muslims. So, if you want to reset your relationship with the Almighty and get closer to Him, there is no better time than now to perform the Umrah. 

Every ritual that you perform during Umrah, from Ihram, Tawaf, and Sa’i to Halq/Taqsir, reminds you of your ultimate purpose in life. It teaches you the importance of faith and Tawheed. Also, the lessons of firm faith, humility, equality, patience, and brotherhood that you get during this pilgrimage will truly transform your life. 

There is a heartwarming Hadith of the Prophet (SAW) that tells us about the exceptional rewards of the pilgrimage. 

“(The performance of) Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one.”

— Sahih al-Bukhari

How to Perform Umrah?

Although there are some shared rituals between Hajj and Umrah, Umrah rituals are a lot less extensive than the Hajj. If it is your first time going for an Umrah, you must have a clear understanding of the pilgrimage rituals. Let’s discuss Umrah rituals in detail below. 

Ihram

Every pilgrim must observe Ihram before they go on pilgrimage. It involves donning specific garments and clearly stating your intention to perform the Umrah. As soon as you wear the Ihram garment, start chanting the following supplication to display your intention. 

“Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk…”

Tawaf

Tawaf involves revolving around the Kaaba. It is among the primary rituals of both Hajj and Umrah. Pilgrims have to make seven rounds around the sacred cubic structure, beginning and ending at the sacred Black Stone. 

Sa’i

Sa’i is the pilgrimage ritual that commemorates the hardships of Hajar. This involves walking between Safa and Marwah seven times. During this ritual, pilgrims are immersed in constant supplication and prayer. 

Halq/Taqsir

This is the last pilgrimage ritual that marks the end of the rituals. It symbolises physical transformation. Men have to shave their heads or trim their hair during this ritual. Women also cut a few inches of their hair. 

Differences Between Hajj and Umrah

There are some prominent differences between Hajj and Umrah. Some of these differences are mentioned below. 

• Hajj is obligatory on all eligible Muslims, while Umrah is a Sunnah act of worship. 
• The obligatory pilgrimage is performed between 8th-13th Dhul Hijjah, while Umrah can be performed any time of the year, excluding the Hajj days. 
• Hajj takes five to six days, while Umrah can be performed within a few hours.
• All the Umrah rituals are a part of Hajj; however, Hajj has some additional rituals too. 
• Umrah has extensive spiritual and worldly benefits. Hajj has endless rewards too and is also among the five pillars of Islam. 

Final Words

Both Hajj and Umrah help you fix your relationship with the Almighty. Countless Muslims who cannot perform Hajj try to perform Umrah to experience the spirituality of the pilgrimage and gain endless rewards and blessings. However, before you go for an Umrah, it is vital to understand the clear differences between the two pilgrimages for a smoother, more meaningful journey.