Muslims from all over the world do the Hajj and Umrah as part of their spiritual responsibilities. Both trips aim to seek the blessings of Allah SWT. During these two spiritual trips, Muslims have the chance to be close to Allah SWT and be his guests. In the meantime, these trips help make deeper our relationship with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by visiting his final resting place. Different reasonably all-inclusive Umrah Packages trips are offered by travel agencies. They also offer travel services for Hajjis to do the Hajj or Umrah.
In short, the Hajj is a more wide-ranging and ritual travel that is exclusively possible during a specific period of the year, while the Umrah is a shorter trip that may be performed at any time. They are both important spiritual journeys that bring you closer to Allah (SWT), they are not the same. We will discuss below the difference between the Hajj from the Umrah.
Umrah: What’s it called?
The Umrah is often acknowledged as a minor pilgrimage and is a simpler way to visit the sacred city of Makkah. Any time of year, Umrah may be completed in a few hours with a few hours’ worth of rituals. Even though it is optional, it is not a required journey and is not one of the five Pillars of Islam. Every year, millions of Muslims continue to walk this extremely holy road in an attempt to be closer to Allah (SWT).
Hajj: What’s it called?
The fact that the Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam though by no means the least significant may be the most significant distinction between the two sacred pilgrimages, the Umrah and the Hajj. If they are financially, logically, and physically capable of doing so, all Muslims are obliged to make this required trip at least once in their lives.
Distinctions between Umrah and Hajj
Muslims seek to please Allah SWT to work towards apology and acquire qualities. Both trips are a gift from Allah SWT, who is highly respected. Umrah may be finished in a single day, Hajj requires five to six days, and therefore it requires a significantly larger time commitment. Umrah is conducted whenever one desires during the year, but Hajj is performed exclusively on certain days during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah.
Importance of Umrah and Hajj
Muslims travel to fulfill these duties because they are important and help them strive towards Allah SWT’s forgiveness. Both journeys cleanse life like a newborn and eliminate sin. However, as Hajj is a compulsory part of Islam, it is considered more significant than Umrah, that being said, Umrah is a wonderful Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
Comparing the Rewards of Hajj and Umrah
Hajj is a required requirement with enormous rewards. It is also said those who conduct Umrah during Ramadan receive benefits equivalent to those of Hajj nonetheless, the rewards of Umrah are fewer than those of Hajj. Thus, Umrah’s duty is abundant in self-sacrificing qualities as well. Between the time of performing the first and the second Umrah, it cleanses all sins.
Actions needed for the Umrah and Hajj
After expressing concern for Umrah, one must do Tawaf around the Kaaba, Sai between the mountains of Safa and Marwa, and stay in Ihram. And lastly, shaving or hair-cutting. While for Hajj you have to stand on Arafat until nightfall, spend the night in Muzdalifa, and get into an arduous ihram. Stayed all night in Mina and threw stones at Jumarat. Finally, shave your hair and go for a stroll.
Hajj Rituals
- Putting on Ihram: Wearing an Ihram and performing Niyah is the first step.
2. Performing Tawaf: Hajis conduct the Kaaba tawaf following Ihram.
3. Proceed to Mina, a tent city, where Hajis spend the entire day praying till dawn.
4. Mina to Arafat: Hajis travel from Mina to Arafat the following day, when they join Zuhr and Asar in their combined prayers.
5. Arafat to Muzdalifah: Hajis go from Arafat to Muzdalifah after dusk, where they offer the combined Maghrib and Esha prayers. Hajis slept outside under the stars the entire night. Hajis proceed to Mina following the Fajar prayer after gathering stones.
6. Rami at Mina: Hajis engage in a ritual known as rami at Mina when they hurl stones at a pillar in the practice of Prophet Ibrahim AS. - The Offering of an Animal: Rami Hajis offers an animal for sacrifice after that.
- Shaving the head: The male pilgrims shaved their whole hair, while the female pilgrims only trimmed a little portion.
- Farewell Tawaf at Makkah: The final Hajj pilgrims perform tawaf at the Kaaba, finish their Hajj, and thank Allah SWT for all the wonderful favors.
Umrah rituals
Compared to the Hajj, which takes many days to complete, Umrah requires less time. It takes a few hours to finish the Umrah. Below are a few of the key Umrah rites.
1. Wearing Ihram: Put on Ihram and perform Niyah at the Miqat spot as the first step.
2. Tawaf: Performing Tawaf is the second stage.
3. Sai: Sai is to be done between the mountains of Safa and Marwah in the third phase.
4. Halq: Lastly, shaving your hair fulfills your Umrah duty.
In Islamic customs, the Hajj and Umrah are very significant events. All Muslims should make every effort to fulfill their spiritual duties, also there are Cheap December Umrah Packages available for pilgrims’ convenience.