Umrah vs. Hajj: Key Differences Every Muslim Should Know

The divine decree in the Holy Quran made it mandatory for Muslim pilgrims to perform Tawaf of the Holy Kaaba at least once in their lives. This mandatory pilgrimage in the month of Dhul Hijjah is renowned as the Hajj pilgrimage. It is mandatory for every Muslim, financially capable, who has reached the puberty and able to travel long distances to perform Umrah. The Whole Ummah of the Prophet PBUH gather on Mount Arafat to performed Umrah. Whereas, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) perform Tawaf of the Holy Kaaba after Treaty of Hudaibiyah in month of Dhul al-Qidah. This pilgrimage is known as Umrah, a Sunnah of the prophet (PBUH). Aspiring Muslims with desire to view Holy Kaaba can perform Umrah during any month of the year except month of Hajj. 

Islamic Travel Agency is teaching Umrah clients to perform Umrah and Hajj in the right manner. They educate them to perform a series of rituals for Hajj and Umrah in the right manner without compromising its alignment to earn rewards and blessings from Allah SWT. 

Allah states in the Holy Quran for importance of the Hajj:

وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ

“Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people. And to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people. And whoever disbelieves, then surely Allah does not need any of his creation.”

(Surah Al-Imran 3:97)

Similarities between Hajj and Umrah

Hajj and Umrah are both are worship of Allah Almighty performed in the most sacred House of Allah SWT. Pilgrims of both pilgrimages travel towards Hejaz in contemporary Saudi Arabia. As Hajj and Umrah both are performed in the context to a similar historical significance. The Tawaf of the Holy Kaaba is the basic purpose of pilgrimage as the ancestors of Muslims, Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) performed. Thus, Muslims follow the footsteps. Pilgrimage is basically Sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim A.S, who laid the foundation of the Holy Kaaba, performed Tawaf around the Holy Kaaba and sacrificed his son for the pleasure of Allah. But Allah replaced his son with a shepherd, and it is a tradition till now that Muslims sacrifice an animal on the eve of Hajj in the month of Dhul Hijjah.  In the Holy Quran Allah states that Hazrat Ibrahim remained steadfast, when he was tested by his lord. Muslim pilgrims can learn patience, tolerance, steadfastness and perservenace by performing Umrah and Hajj, following the Sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim A.S. as Allah bestow him with huge blessings. They can book Umrah packages and Hajj packages from the Islamic Travel Agency at affordable prices. 

Ayat from Surah Al Baqarah

وَإِذِ ٱبْتَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ رَبُّهُۥ بِكَلِمَـٰتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّى جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًۭا ۖ

“And when Abraham was tested by his Lord with Commands, and he fulfilled them. Allah said, I will make you a leader for the people.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:124)

• Pilgrimage to Hejaz in Saudi Arabia: In both pilgrimages, Muslim pilgrims travel towards Hejaz so they can renewal their faith, achieve closeness to Allah, ask forgiveness for their bad deeds. 

• • State of Ihram: In hajj and Umrah, Muslim pilgrims wear two piece white clothes to perform Umrah. State of ihram and making pure intention to perform Umrah is crucial in both Hajj and Umrah. 

  • Similar Rituals: Performing Tawaf around the Holy Kaaba, performing Sai between Safa and Marwa, and shaving head as representation of completion of Umrah are performed in both Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage. 

• Purpose of Hajj and Umrah: Both Hajj and Umrah are performed in the Mecca to please Allah and follows the Sunnah of the great Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim A.S. 

• Holy Prophet Performed Both: Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) has preached us the command of Allah SWT in form of the Holy Quran. He performed Hajj and Umrah both in his life. Holy Prophet PBUH performed Hajj Pilgrimage once in his life, whereas he performed Umrah 4 times in his life. 

Differences between Hajj and Umrah

There are also some differences between the two pilgrimages, Hajj and Umrah. Both are crucial Islamic pilgrimages with different spiritual significance and some different rituals. Hajj is a highly rewarding pilgrimage, but Umrah is also a source of high rewards and requitals. As the Holy Prophet says performing Umrah in Ramadan month is equivalent to the Major Pilgrimage Hajj. So book Ramadan Umrah packages from our well-known travel agency and get rewards from Allah Almighty equal to Hajj. 

Hajj Pilgrimage 

Hajj is major pilgrimage and one of the five major pillars of the Islam. Hajj is basically a pilgrimage with series of rituals that ought to be performed in specific order. Hajj takes around Five to Six days for its completion and its rituals are Sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim and his family.

How Muslim pilgrims perform Hajj:

Muslim pilgrims of Hajj start hajj by making intention and wearing ihram followed by performing Tawaf al-Qudum around the Holy Kaaba for seven times. The most crucial part of Hajj is standing at Arafat, and asking forgiveness for sins. Then pilgrims spend a night in Muzdalifah and the next day stay in tents of Mina. After that pilgrims throw pebbles at devil in Jami rat. Three pillars are symbolic representation of the Devil. Finally, pilgrims sacrifice an animal, followed by shaving their heads as completion of Hajj Pilgrimage.                    

The rituals of Hajj are listed below:

• Ihram and making Niyyah
• Tawaf al-Qudum
• Wuquf at Arafat
• Muzdalifah and Mina
• Sacrifice of Animal
• Shaving Head

Author: M Ali | mdotallyy@gmail.com