What is Umrah? 

The Umrah, or “lesser pilgrimage,” is a more simplified form of the traditional Hajj to the holy city of Makkah. It takes only a few hours to complete the procedures that make up Umrah, which can be undertaken at any time of the year.

While many Muslims make the journey, it is not required of them and is not considered a pillar of Islam. In order to be closer to Allah (SWT), millions of Muslims still make the pilgrimage every year.

How is Umrah Performed?

After donning the proper garb and entering the holy condition of Ihram, the most important rites of Umrah are Tawaf and Sa’i.

• Tawaf

Masjid al-Haram, the Great Mosque of Makkah, is where Tawaf takes place, as this is where the old home of Allah, the Ka’aba, can be found. Muslims do a seven-time anticlockwise circuit of the Ka’aba in Mecca.

• Sa’i 

Sa’i is the traditional walking and running between Safa and Marwa that follows Tawaf. This is done in honor of Hajar (AS), the wife of the Prophet Ibrahim, who struggled to get water for herself and their newborn baby, Ismail. We walk in her footsteps to represent the difficulty of our daily life and how Allah, the Most Gracious, aids and leads us when it seems impossible.

You can execute Sa’i by running from Safa to the next green marker on the Marwa route until you reach Safa again. You then go to Marwa, the final destination of the first loop.

After completing the first trip around Marwa, you just turn around and return. In total, Sa’i calls for seven circuits. The next step is a shave for the males and a trim for the women. 

Comparing Umrah and Hajj: 5 Key Distinctions

Although both the Hajj and the Umrah are significant in Islam and are conducted at the Holy Kaaba, the rituals and significance of these two pilgrimages could not be more different. There are a number of ways in which these journeys might be distinguished from one another. The most crucial ones are listed here:

1. Significance

It is believed that Muslims who perform either the Umrah or Hajj would be granted forgiveness and additional merits. But the religious perspective places a distinct weight on each of these trips. While all Muslims are expected to make at least one Hajj in their lifetimes if they are healthy and financially stable enough to do so, completing an Umrah is voluntary. Unlike the more significant Hajj pilgrimage, Umrah is strongly encouraged but not required. This is what differentiates Umrah from Hajj.

2. Timing

The best time to perform Hajj and Umrah are different, for example. Hajj is performed by Muslims at the conclusion of the lunar calendar in the final month of Dhu al Hijjah. Between the 8th and 12th of this month, pilgrims will carry out the Hajj rituals. Umrah, on the other hand, doesn’t have a set season for when it may be done.

3. Obligatory Acts

Assuming the condition of Ihram after proclaiming the intention of Umrah, performing Tawaf, completing Sayi between the hills of Safa and Marwa, and finally shaving the head or cutting off a piece of the hair are the five pillars of the ritual. In contrast, the Hajj ritual of becoming Ihram at Meeqat, standing on Arafah till sunset, sleeping at Muzdalifah, staying in Mina until Tashreeq, stoning the Jamarat, shaving one’s head, and finally completing the farewell circumambulation. It’s important to note that only after fulfilling all of these requirements will either pilgrimage be declared complete.

4. Time Required for Rituals

The length of time needed to perform the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages is another distinction between the two. A pilgrim may complete the Umrah in a matter of hours, whereas the Hajj requires at least five or six days. Time is a variable because of the ceremonies and physical labor involved in these journeys.

5. Pillars of Hajj and Umrah

The pillars upon which each pilgrimage is built are another area in which Hajj and Umrah differ. The four pillars of Hajj are as follows:

• The first is Ihram; the Prophet once mentioned that the rewards for good conduct depend on the person’s motivations. There is a certain schedule that pilgrims must follow when visiting Iharm.
• The Prophet further clarified that Sayi is obligatory since it is Allah’s command.
• The third is called Waqfat. The Prophet also referred to Arafah as Hajj. A brief appearance at Arafah at dawn on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah is all that is required.
• Tawaf al-Ifaadah, the final pilgrimage, is obligatory. God commands that they finish cleaning up their mess and then perform Tawaaf around the holy site.

The four pillars of Umrah are similar to those of Hajj, with the following differences:

• Umrah’s first pillar is entering the sanctified state of Ihram before making the pilgrimage.
• The second is called Tawaf, and it consists of a counterclockwise circuit of the sacred Kaaba.
• The third is called Sayi, and it consists of a pilgrimage between the Safa and Marwah mountains. It’s a metaphor for the constant uphill battle that is life.
• Tahallul, the last pillar, signifies the end of the sacred state of Umrah. Pilgrims must shave their heads after doing Umrah.

These are only a few of the key distinctions between the Umrah and the Hajj.

Millions of people go to Saudi Arabia every year to take part in the religious trek, despite the fact that the two holy pilgrimages are very different from one another. The pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah are central to Islamic practice and belief. People all over the world are still very eager to perform the hajj and Umrah.

Conclusion

So, these are some of the main differences between Umrah and Hajj. Millions of tourists visit Saudi Arabia despite the fact that the two holy pilgrimages are very different from one another. This is done to satisy their spiritual needs. Both the Hajj and the Umrah represent basic pillars of Islam. Worldwide, there is a significant interest in Umrah trip packages.

They all converge in Mecca annually from around the world. It shows unity, faith, and solidarity by participating in a six-day ritual. It becomes easy with Hajj packages from Canada.

Planning for Hajj with Hajj Packages 

When we plan to go Hajj, there is a need to prepare for months. There is a requirement of many papers and visas to go on a holy pilgrimage. It becomes easy with the Hajj package from Canada. We can book these packages many months before going on pilgrimage. It helps to make our journey easy.

Here we discuss various rituals that need to be completed in Hajj.

Day 1- Ihram

Ihram is the first ritual in Hajj. It is entering a sacred pilgrimage where we cross Miqat. Miqat is the outer boundary of Mecca. They enter on 8th Dhul-Hijjah to perform Ihram. There is a need to wear simple clothes. Two unstitched clothes for men and stitched loose clothing for women. Sexual activity or fighting is not allowed during the holy visit. Pilgrims head to Mina on foot or by bus or by car. This journey is around 8 km, so there is a need to spend a whole day in Mina. People spend their time recalling and praying to Almighty Allah. People can visit for Hajj by taking Hajj packages from the USA so that they perform all rituals.

To conduct Hajj, men and women must dress in ihram clothing. It is to show that every person is equal to Allah. Women wear simple clothes such as headscarves. Men wear two white clothes without stitching. One cloth is used to cover the body from the waist down and another drape around the shoulders. There is also a need to trim their beards and nails. It is necessary to clean Ihram’s clothes to perform Hajj.

Day 2- Arafat

We know the day of Arafat as one of the most passionate days in Hajj and the Islamic Lunar Calendar. At Mount Mercy, the prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) delivered his last sermon. Muslim reach Arafat completing a 14.4 km journey from Mina and finishing their day in prayer. When there is sunset, all pilgrims move to Muzdalifah which is 9km ahead of Arafat. They spend an entire night under the sky.

Day 3- Throw Stones at Pillars

The third day of hajj is called Yawm-ul hajj al Akbar. Muslims worldwide take Hajj packages from Canada on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah to celebrate Eid Al- Azha. It is the longest and most challenging day of Hajj. Pilgrims throw stones at pillars. It is customary for pilgrims to throw seven stones at the most prominent pillar called Jamarat. After sunset, they come back to Mina. Throwing stones at Satan or the devil is a symbolic act. 

It is an Islamic tradition, and after that, there is a need to complete sacrifice. They slaughter a goat, sheep, camel, or cow. Now they remove their Ihrams and shave or trim their hair. People head to Mecca for tawaf and sa’ee. They circled Kaba seven times. At this time, they run or walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times.

Day 4 & 5- Last Days in Mina

They stoned three pillars on days 4 and 5. This time, pilgrims threw seven pebbles at them. A pilgrim spends two or three days in Mina praying and remembering Allah after this act. After completing the ritual, they come back to Mecca from Mina. Here they perform the final tawaf. We know it as farewell tawaf. They also visit Medina before returning home. Medina is a holy city of Islam. The last prophet Hazrat Muhammad buried with their companions. It is not part of Hajj. It depends on individual choice or Hajj packages from Canada.

Interesting Facts about Hajj Pilgrimage 

There are also some interesting facts about Hajj. These facts tell us how holy it is for Muslims to visit this place. They plan for many months and book Hajj packages from their locations.

Hajj is the 5th and Final Pillar of Islam 

It is the 5th pillar of Islam, so every Muslim comes here once in their life. They come here to live their lives passionately and put their faith first. Mecca shows faith and inner strength.

World’s Largest Human Gathering

People around the world visit Mecca for Hajj. They take Hajj packages from the USA. It became the world’s largest human gathering. The pilgrims from America to Malaysia, Canada, England to Pakistan and many more visit there.

No Gender Segregation for Hajj

There is no difference between men and women at the Grand Mosque of Mecca. In addition to walking around the Kaaba together, they climb Mount Arafat together and throw stones at the Jamarat at the same time. It is a symbol of equality of men and women before Allah. After Hajj is complete, there is gender segregation.

Hajj Culminates with Eid al-Adha

The Hajj concludes with Eid al-Adha, the celebration of sacrifice. When the stoning ritual is complete at Jamarat they perform Qurbani. They sacrifice sheep, goats, and cattle. The meat of these animals is disturbing to the poor and neighbours. They celebrate Prophet Ibrahim and his tireless dedication to Allah.

Kaaba Stone

A silver ring surrounds a black stone in the eastern corner of the Kaaba. We worship this stone as an Islamic relic. It dates back to the time of Adam and Eve. According to Muslims, Adam obtained this stone from Allah. They include it in the worship of Almighty Allah. The archangel Gabriel handed over the stone to Ibrahim. He also used it on an altar. Many pilgrims have to stop here and kiss the stone of Prophet Muhammad.

Sum Up

Hajj is a sacred place for Muslims. People visit here and complete various rituals. It becomes easy with Hajj packages from Canada. FJ Travels offers affordable Hajj packages from the USA. It is necessary to book in advance to ensure a comfortable journey coming to Hajj this year. It is the best way to remember Allah.