Hajj and Umrah are not just pilgrimages to Makkah, but are considered as one of the most important holy rituals in Islam. That is why each year thousands of Muslims from different parts of the world come to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah. Since these pilgrimages binds Muslims to visit Makkah and perform certain similar rituals, therefore often people gets confused between the two holy rituals and fails to differentiate between them. To resolve this confusion and shed more light on Hajj and Umrah, we at British Haj Travel have compiled some significant points below. These points will make it easy for the people to understand difference between the two pilgrimages.
Difference Between Hajj and Umrah
In contrast to Umrah, Hajj is mandatory for all Muslims at least once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able to perform the holy ritual. That is one of the 5 main pillars of Islam. It is because of this very reason Hajj is referred as the major pilgrimage and Umrah is mentioned as a minor pilgrimage.Apart from being an imperative duty, Haj can only be performed between the 8th and 12th Dhu al-Hijjah that falls in the last month of Islamic calendar. Any Muslim, who is physically and financially able to perform Hajj is called mustati, while the state of being able to perform the major pilgrimage is called istita'ah.
Rituals of Haj
Although, Hajj is generally associated with Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H), but during the holy journey Muslims also perform the sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S). However, this is just one of the many rituals that thousands of Muslims perform in Makkah when they gather for a week to perform Hajj. The entire series of rituals includes, wearing of Ihram, entering the haram, seven times counter-clockwise walk around Khana Kaaba, spending time in Arafat, Mina, and Muzdalifah, running back and forth between holy hills of Safa and Marva, drinking of holy water Abay Zamzam, stoning of devil at the Mount Arafat then, shaving of the head and finally sacrifice of animal before taking off the Ihram and celebrating Eid-Ul-Adha, a holy festival.
Difference Between Umrah and Haj
Unlike Hajj, Umrah can be performed during any time of the year. Also, Umrah is not a compulsory religious duty, but still it is highly recommended that all Muslims should perform it. Moreover, Muslims will not have to do the sacrifice of an animal during Umrah, but they have to perform Tawaf around Khana Kaaba and run (Sa’i) back and forth between Safa and Marva after they get into the state of Ihram.
Rituals of Umrah
Just like Hajj, Umrah is also a way for Muslims to show their solidarity and submission to Allah. Therefore, Muslims have to enter into Ihram before beginning the holy ritual after which they will be able to perform niyyah (expressing intention of performing Umrah). After niyaah, pilgrims have to perform istilam then, tawaf around Khana Kaaba and later multazam. Once the circumambulations come to an end, pilgrims will head towards Maqam Ibrahim where they will offer two rakat prayer and then, perform the Sa’i between Safa and Marva. On completion of Sa’i, Muslims either shave their heads or shorten their hairs by one to two centimetres. That will conclude the rituals of Umrah and pilgrims are free to take off their Ihram to wear every day clothes.
Hajj and Umrah Packages
In contrast to Umrah, Hajj is mandatory for all Muslims at least once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able to perform the holy ritual. That is one of the 5 main pillars of Islam. It is because of this very reason Hajj is referred as the major pilgrimage and Umrah is mentioned as a minor pilgrimage.Apart from being an imperative duty, Haj can only be performed between the 8th and 12th Dhu al-Hijjah that falls in the last month of Islamic calendar. Any Muslim, who is physically and financially able to perform Hajj is called mustati, while the state of being able to perform the major pilgrimage is called istita'ah.
Rituals of Haj
Although, Hajj is generally associated with Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H), but during the holy journey Muslims also perform the sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S). However, this is just one of the many rituals that thousands of Muslims perform in Makkah when they gather for a week to perform Hajj. The entire series of rituals includes, wearing of Ihram, entering the haram, seven times counter-clockwise walk around Khana Kaaba, spending time in Arafat, Mina, and Muzdalifah, running back and forth between holy hills of Safa and Marva, drinking of holy water Abay Zamzam, stoning of devil at the Mount Arafat then, shaving of the head and finally sacrifice of animal before taking off the Ihram and celebrating Eid-Ul-Adha, a holy festival.
Difference Between Umrah and Haj
Unlike Hajj, Umrah can be performed during any time of the year. Also, Umrah is not a compulsory religious duty, but still it is highly recommended that all Muslims should perform it. Moreover, Muslims will not have to do the sacrifice of an animal during Umrah, but they have to perform Tawaf around Khana Kaaba and run (Sa’i) back and forth between Safa and Marva after they get into the state of Ihram.
Rituals of Umrah
Just like Hajj, Umrah is also a way for Muslims to show their solidarity and submission to Allah. Therefore, Muslims have to enter into Ihram before beginning the holy ritual after which they will be able to perform niyyah (expressing intention of performing Umrah). After niyaah, pilgrims have to perform istilam then, tawaf around Khana Kaaba and later multazam. Once the circumambulations come to an end, pilgrims will head towards Maqam Ibrahim where they will offer two rakat prayer and then, perform the Sa’i between Safa and Marva. On completion of Sa’i, Muslims either shave their heads or shorten their hairs by one to two centimetres. That will conclude the rituals of Umrah and pilgrims are free to take off their Ihram to wear every day clothes.
Hajj and Umrah Packages
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