Hajj & Umrah Guide

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, whereas Umrah is a shorter form of Hajj. Generally, both these are referred to as “Pilgrimage”. All the worship in Islam, such as Prayer (Salah), Recitation of the Quran, Fasting, and so on, can be performed anywhere, across the world, in homes and Mosques. Contrary to that, Hajj and Umrah are unique in the sense that these two pilgrimages can only be performed in the Ka'aba, situated in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. One has to travel all the way to Mecca from their hometown for this special type of worship.  

Both these forms of pilgrimage are mentioned in the Quran, in different verses, such as the 158^th and 196^th verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, which narrate the virtues of Hajj and Umrah. Similarly, verses 25 to 29 of Surah Al-Hajj narrate the rituals and rites of Hajj. There are numerous Hadiths on Hajj and Umrah, such as Hadith 1773 in Sahih Al-Bukhari.

Translation - (The performance of) `Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.

The above Hadith clearly states that Umrah expiates previous sins, whereas accepted Hajj guarantees paradise.

What are Hajj and Umrah?

In simple words, Hajj (ٱلْحَجّ) can be translated to "Pilgrimage". According to the dictionary, it means "to intend" or "to set out". In Islamic terminology, Hajj refers to the specific traveling or pilgrimage to the Ka'aba, Mecca, and that too on specific days of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hajj. Included in the five basic elements (pillars) of Islam, it is mandatory for those adult men and women who are physically (bodily) capable of traveling to Mecca and performing all the rituals and rites of Hajj. Moreover, it is only obligatory for a person (man or woman) who holds sufficient resources to meet the expenses required for this sacred travel. More importantly, it is mandatory only once in a lifetime.

Umrah (الْعُمْرَةِ) translates to “to visit”. In Islam, it refers to the specific sacred travel to the Ka'aba, Mecca, beyond the Days of Hajj. It is also sometimes called "lesser pilgrimage", "mini-Hajj" or "shorter version of Hajj", as it involves fewer rituals than Hajj. Contrary to the Hajj, Umrah is not obligatory and can be performed whenever one desires and can afford.While Umrah is known as mini-Hajj, some of the major rituals one has to perform during Hajj are not included in the performance of Umrah. Accordingly, both these sacred pilgrimages resemble each other in some ways, whereas there are some major differences between them as well.

How Hajj and Umrah Resemble – The Similarities

Since Umrah is also known as a shorter version of Hajj, both these worship have many things in common with each other:

• The Location – Both Hajj and Umrah can only be performed in the Ka'aba, situated in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and cannot be performed elsewhere across the world. In fact, both these are specifically aimed at traveling all the way to the House of Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ (Ka’aba), from one’s hometown, no matter how far it is. So, the spirit of both these pilgrimages is the “sacred traveling”.
• Physical Purity – Attaining physical purity is compulsory for all the pilgrims, whether intending to perform Hajj or Umrah.
• The Attire/Ihram – When intending to proceed for this sacred journey from one's home to Mecca, the first thing is to wear a specific dress, known as "Ihram" in the Islamic terminology. In reference to both these sacred pilgrimages, it is called "entering into a state of Ihram". It is necessary for those intending to perform either Umrah or Hajj to enter into the state of Ihram before entering into the geographical boundaries of the Ka’aba. Since the pilgrims travel by air these days, they mostly wear the Ihram before boarding the plane. Ihram for men comprises two unstitched plain pieces of cloth, preferably white in color. The Ihram for women comprises any modest dress that covers their entire body, except the face.
• The Rituals – There are some rites that are common and mandatory for both Hajj and Umrah. The rites similar in both Hajj and Umrah are:
  • Tawaf – It is the first compulsory ritual. Tawaf means circumambulating the Ka'aba, in an anti-clockwise direction, starting and ending at a specific point, Hajj-e-Aswad (the sacred Black Stone). The pilgrims are required to complete seven circumambulations of the Ka'aba, whether performing Hajj or Umrah.
  • Sa’i – Walking briskly or running slowly between the hills of Safa and Marwa is called Sa’i. The pilgrims (both for Hajj and Umrah) are required to walk seven times between these two points. Similar in both Hajj and Umrah, this is the second compulsory ritual.
  • Shaving the Head or Trimming Hair – The next obligatory ritual that is common among Hajj and Umrah is Shaving off the Head or Trimming Hair (for men) and cutting a small piece of hair (for women).
  • Drinking Zamzam Water – Although it is not an obligatory ritual, drinking Zamzam water is a highly recommended and virtuous part of both Hajj and Umrah.

How Hajj and Umrah Differ – The Dissimilarities

Hajj, being a longer and detailed worship, differs from Umrah in many ways, as summarized here:

1. Obligation – Hajj is obligatory for all adult men and women who are physically and financially capable of performing it, including traveling and resources, only once in a lifetime, whereas Umrah is not mandatory; it is an optional worship, but being a Sunnah, it carries huge rewards.
2. Specificity of Days – While Umrah can be performed at any time during the year, Hajj can be performed only on the specific days, the 8^th to 13^th of the Islamic Month of Dhul-Hajj.
3. Timings Required – Umrah can be performed usually in one day, sometimes even within an hour. Hajj needs an extended schedule to follow, spanning from the 8^th to the 13^th day of Dhul-Hajj.
4. Rites and Rituals – Umrah is a shorter version of Hajj, hence it involves only some of the rituals in common with Hajj. On the other hand, Hajj involves following additional rituals:
   1. Waqoof-e-Arafat – The major ritual of Hajj is known as Waqoof-e-Arafat. It is a specific type of worship, where pilgrims stand in the plains of Arafat, supplicating and praying for seeking forgiveness from Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
   2. Spending Night in Muzdalifa and Mina – Spending the night at Muzdalifa and Mina is another essential ritual of Hajj, which is not included in Umrah. The night is spent in prayer and supplication.
   3. Stoning the Devils – Commonly known as "Rami", it is one of the compulsory rituals of Hajj, where pilgrims throw stones at Jamarat, symbolizing the Devils.
   4. Slaughtering Sacrificial Animals – Slaughtering of sacrificial animals is the last major ritual of Hajj, which is not included in Umrah. Here, the pilgrims are required to sacrifice animals in the Way of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, commemorating the great sacrificial act of the Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail عَلَيْهِمَا ٱلسَّلَامُ.
5. Spiritual Difference – As explained in Hadith 1773 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, performance of Umrah is an expiation of sins between two Umrahs, whereas the reward of an accepted Hajj (Hajj Mabrur) is a guaranteed place in Paradise.

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