How is umrah different from hajj

Umrah ul Mufradah is performed throughout the year except during the days of Hajj, hence it is independent of Hajj.

Umrah al-Tamattu is performed in conjunction with Hajj, but ends before the commencement of Hajj rituals, i. The procedure in both types of Umrah is the same. Now that we have discussed how Hajj and Umrah differ, it is worthwhile to mention how the two are similar. Although Hajj and Umrah are both spiritual journeys that enhance your faith and bring you closer to Allah, they are not equal. Hajj is a pillar of Islam, which makes it an obligation for all Muslims. It is a requirement or qualification for completing their religion.

Whereas, Umrah is a choice and a Sunnah. Umrah enhances your faith and brings unlimited blessings, but it is not a requirement of Islam. In terms of spiritual weightage, Hajj holds more value since is renews the Muslim as if they were born again. Hajj and Umrah packages are also different, with Umrah giving Muslims the option of performing it at any time during the year.

In either case, performing prayer or supplication at the Holy Kabah has great importance and rewards. As Abu Huraira narrated:. Due to the expenses and sacrifices that come with going for Umrah or Hajj, many people are forced to delay it until they reach a more stable point in their lives. Both pilgrimages require you to make the journey to another country, which not everyone can afford.

It says in the Holy Quran:. These rituals involve:. Umrah, like Hajj, is a pilgrimage to Mecca, but unlike Hajj, is not compulsory, only recommended. Hajj is of lesser importance than Hajj as is not one of the pillars of Islam. It is, for this reason, known as the lesser or minor pilgrimage. Umrah also differs from Hajj because it does not have to be carried out at a specific time of year. It can however, be performed any time of the year or month except at the time of Hajj. Hajj and can be completed in a much shorter time within hours.

There a couple of rituals which are carried out in Umrah and Hajj. While there are differences between Hajj and Umrah, both are religious pilgrimages to Mecca and important experiences for all Muslims to partake in. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Read More. Every year thousands of Muslims from around the world take part in a spiritual pilgrimage called Hajj and Umrah. They are both important religious journeys for all Muslims.

You can also offer voluntary prayers to thank Allah SWT for arriving safely and to mark the start of your spiritual journey. This completes one lap. You will then return to Safa to complete your second lap. This marks the completion of your Umrah, allowing you to leave ihram, until the 8 th of Dhul Hijjah. During the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah, give your Zakat and Sadaqah and reap the rewards of this blessed month. Difference between Hajj and Umrah.

Differences between Hajj and Umrah Umrah is like a mini pilgrimage. Every year about 2 to 3 million people from across the world gather in Mecca for the Hajj. It is the largest single gathering of people on the planet. Muslims believe that Ibrahim alaihis salaam was ordered by Allah to leave his wife Hajar and his son Ismail alone in the desert of ancient Mecca. In search of water, Hajar desperately ran seven times between the two hills of Safa and Marwah but found none.

Returning in despair to Ismail, she saw the baby scratching the ground with his leg and a water fountain sprang forth at the site. Pilgrims visit the well while performing Hajj or the Umrah pilgrimage to drink its water. Ihram : When they arrive in Mecca, pilgrims enter the state of ihram purity for the Hajj pilgrimage. Men must wear the ihram garments consisting of two white, seamless sheets wrapped around the body, and sandals.

As well as purity, this clothing symbolises equality and unity as there are no visible reminders of class, wealth, status or culture. Requirements for women are less strict and they usually dress in white with only faces and hands uncovered. While in the state of ihram, pilgrims must — among other things - not cut their nails or hair, not engage in sexual activity, argue or fight. Tawaf : Each person walks counter-clockwise seven times around the Ka'aba the cube-shaped building and the direction of prayer for Muslims everywhere in Masjid Al-Haram.

Mount Arafat : Pilgrims go to the plains of Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam gave his last sermon, to stand in vigil. Stoning the Devil : After Arafat, they move to Muzdalfah and then to Mina to perform a symbolic stoning ritual in which they fling pebbles at three walls known as jamarat.

This symbolises how the devil tried to mislead Ibrahim alaihis salaam from following Allah but was fought off when the prophet threw stones at him on three occasions. The pilgrims perform the ritual of animal sacrifice Qurbani and continue with other rites to complete their Hajj. Qurbani : Qurbani, or Udiyah as it known in Arabic, commemorates the sacrifice Ibrahim alaihis salaam was willing to perform of his son Ismail alaihis salaam for Allah, who spared his son by sending down a ram to take his place.

Pilgrims can go to Mecca to perform the rituals at any other time of the year. This pilgrimage is known as Umrah and, unlike Hajj which takes place on fixed Islamic dates, is not obligatory.