Hajj is performed on specific days during a specific Islamic month. However, Umrah can be performed at any time. Although they share common rituals, Umrah can be performed in less than a few hours while Hajj is more time-consuming, and involves more rituals.
During the months of Umrah, sometimes the cost of Umrah touches the cost of the Hajj package. Because this happens due to the excessive number of pilgrims at that time. So, try to choose one of the options given in Umrah packages in time to save yourself from such a situation.
What is Umrah?
Umrah is an Islamic short pilgrimage to Mecca (the holiest city for Muslims, located in the Hijazi region of Saudi Arabia). It can be performed at any time of the year, except on certain dates of Hajj.
Rituals that can perform in Umrah
- Ihram from Miqat – intention of Umrah.
- Tawaf – Circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba.
- Sa’i: Walking seven times in worship between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
- Halq (shaving the head) or Taqsir (clipping or shortening of the hair).
Read also: Can I go to Mecca as a tourist?
What is Hajj?
In Islam, Hajj is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim must perform at least once in their lifetime. Hajj is the fifth of the basic Muslim practices known as the Five Pillars of Islam. The ritual of Hajj begins on the 7th day of Dhul-Hijjah (the last month of the Islamic year) and ends on the 12th day.
Rituals that can perform in Hajj
- Ihram from Miqat – The intention is to perform Hajj.
- Perform Umrah
- Arrive at Mina
- Day of Arafah
- Muzdalifah (under the night sky)
- Rami (Stoning the Devil)
- Nahr- Sacrifice of Animals
- Shave Head or shortening of the hair for pilgrims
- Tawaf al-Ifadha
- Rami (Stoning the Devil)
- Spend Night at Mina
- Rami (Stoning the Devil)
- Spend a night in Mina
- Farewell Tawaf
Differences between Hajj and Umrah
There are many differences between Hajj and Umrah.
These are as follows:
- Umrah can be performed at any time during the Islamic calendar, unlike Hajj, which can only be performed in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. The main difference between Hajj and Umrah is that pilgrims go to Mina, Arafa and Muzdalifah. They stone Satan and celebrate Eid al-Adha in Makkah, offering Qurbani (sacrifice).
- According to Islam, the level of importance of these two journeys is different. Hajj is considered an obligatory pilgrimage that every Muslim must perform at least once in his lifetime, provided he is physically and financially able to travel, however performing Umrah is not mandatory. Umrah is highly recommended but not mandatory, unlike the major Hajj journey. This makes Umrah and Hajj different from each other.
- The rites of Umrah will be performed only at the Kaaba, meaning pilgrims do not need to go to different places. They can complete Umrah in one place. On the other hand, the hajj requires pilgrims to visit different places such as Arafat and Muzdalifah. They travel to these venues to complete their Hajj.
Now that we have discussed how Hajj and Umrah are different, it is important to explain how the two are similar.
The similarities are as follows:
- The main purpose of both Hajj and Umrah is to worship Allah and strengthen the faith of the pilgrims.
- Both require that Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia and begin worshipping at the Kaaba.
- Both journeys require Muslims to wear the holy state of Ihram.
- Similar rituals between the two include circumambulation of the Kaaba, Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and cutting the hair.
For both Hajj and Umrah journeys, the traveller must know what he needs and how to reach the Kaaba. There are two ways for these two journeys to arrive at the holy land, the Hajj packages and Umrah packages. Book the package from an agency registered by the Saudi authorities.
