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02 Jul, 25
by Muslims Holy TravelHajj and Umrah are two divine pilgrimages in Islam. There are five pillars of Islam, one of which is the Hajj. It is a compulsory activity that requires a trip to Makkah at least once in a lifetime during the sacred month of Dhul Hijjah. The basic rituals of Hajj, including Tawaf al-Ifadah, are carried out in the Grand Mosque. In comparison to Hajj, Umrah is optional and highly recommended for all Muslims. It can be performed at any desired time of the year. While both are religious forms of worship, they differ greatly in obligation, rituals, and timing. You must know the leading differences between Hajj and Umrah, as it helps you better prepare for the pilgrimage. Keep reading this crucial article to get valuable insights into these divine journeys!
Umrah is regarded as the 'lesser' pilgrimage in Islamic traditions. The Prophet Muhammad PBUH performed this pilgrimage for the first time in 6AH, along with 2,000 of his companions. It followed a time of great struggles and sacrifices by the Muslims. When the Prophet PBUH migrated to Madinah, there were still a lot of tensions between the Muslims and the disbelievers of Makkah. A few years after Hijra Sharif, the Holy Prophet PBUH had a dream where he was carrying out the rituals of Umrah. So, the Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his companions returned to Makkah to perform Umrah. When the Prophet PBUH reached the outskirts of Makkah, he sent an emissary to explain that he was only going to do the divine act of Umrah.
The Qurayshites, however, stopped them in Hudaybiyyah and demanded that they return the following year for Umrah. The Holy Prophet PBUH declined to enter the city of Makkah by force out of respect for the Kaaba. Well, diplomatic negotiations took place. This led to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, which lasted for over 10 years. Following the terms of the treaty, Prophet Muhammad PBUH did the first Umrah with his companions. This pilgrimage was practised even before Islam, but the Holy Prophet PBUH gave it a spiritual structure. The key rituals of Umrah include Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i, and Halq or Taqsir. No specific time is specified for Umrah.
“Certainly has Allah showed His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety…” Surah Al-Fath (48:27)
The history of Hajj dates back to the time of the beloved Prophet Ibrahim (AS). He, along with his son Ismail (AS), constructed the holy Kaaba while expressing his love to Allah Almighty. The Kaaba is known to be the qibla for all Muslims. Those who want to learn about what is Hajj, along with its rituals, it is an act of worship which memorialises the devotion of Ibrahim (AS), his wife Hajar (AS), and their son Ismail (AS). Aside from this, it also shows the willingness of Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his beloved son in submission to Allah. The Hajj rituals were validated by the Prophet Muhammad PBUH when he did his one and only pilgrimage in the year A.D. 628. Many of the Hajj rituals are based on stories about Allah Almighty testing Ibrahim (AS).
Hajj, being one of the five pillars of Islam, is a compulsory act for all physically and financially capable Muslims. It comprises rituals and obligations that must be undertaken during specific times and locations in Makkah and surrounding sites. The main Hajj rituals are Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i, Wuquf, Muzdalifah, Rami, Animal Sacrifice, and Tawaf al-Ifadah. The purpose of these rituals is to remember the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and to show obedience to the Creator. Millions of Muslims gather in Makkah to perform this act each year. Allah says in the Quran;
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.” Surah Al-Hajj (22:27)
When it comes to Umrah vs Hajj, the following are some of the differences you need to know.
Obligation is known to be the key difference between Umrah and Hajj. Umrah is a voluntary act of worship. It is highly recommended, but not mandatory. Hajj, on the contrary, is an obligatory act of Ibadah for Muslims. Physically and financially capable believers must perform Hajj at least once in their lives. Be it Hajj or Umrah, ensure to do these religious activities in your life.
Umrah can be done at any desired time of the year. In contrast, Hajj is restricted to specific dates of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. You can perform this act from the 8th to the 12th or 13th of Dhul-Hijjah. Umrah has no such time constraints and can be done year-round. Aside from this, Hajj is also a longer yet more physically demanding pilgrimage compared to Umrah.
Some of you might not know, but the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah manages the durations of both the pilgrimages. Umrah is a shorter pilgrimage that typically takes a few hours to a full day. Aside from this, you can perform this act at any time except during Hajj. When talking about Hajj, it takes place over 5 to 6 days, starting from the 8th to the 12th or 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.
The rituals of Umrah and Hajj also differ. Umrah rituals include entering the state of the Ihram, doing Tawaf, doing Sa'i, and Halq/Taqsir. Hajj includes a set of additional rituals beyond Umrah. These comprise spending time in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah while performing specific prayers and supplications (Dua) and stoning the pillars representing Shaytaan (Rami).
There are lots of spiritual benefits of Hajj and Umrah. Since Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, it is considered to have more rewards than Umrah. The primary reward for a Hajj accepted by Allah Almighty (Hajj Mabroor) is Paradise (Jannah). Furthermore, a Hajj Mabroor is also the expiation of previous sins. It means pilgrims return as pure as the day they were born.
The crowd differences between Hajj and Umrah usually happen due to variations in scale, timing, and religious obligations. Hajj attracts more than 2 to 3 million pilgrims from across the globe, resulting in tightly packed crowds. The crowds during the Umrah journey are more manageable. They can still be higher during the last ten nights of Ramadan and school holidays.
Hajj and Umrah have profound spiritual significance for almost every Muslim. They give a chance to detach yourself from worldly affairs and focus only on worshipping Allah. These journeys help deepen the faith of believers by reminding them about their purpose in life. It demands emotional, mental, and physical sacrifice to perform these pilgrimages. This helps purify your souls. With the help of these journeys, Muslims learn self-discipline. They learn how to be respectful and kind to others. Want to get forgiveness for your past sins from Allah by doing Umrah? Get all-inclusive Umrah Packages UK to make your journey as hassle-free as possible. From visa processing to flights and accommodations, everything is covered for your ease. You can get so many blessings by doing any of these acts. Let's delve into some Hadiths.
“Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not engage in sexual relations or commit sin, he returns (from Hajj) as sinless as the day his mother gave birth to him.” Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 1521)
“For indeed, ?Umrah during Ramadan is equal to performing Hajj with me.” Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 1863)
It is recommended to do Umrah before Hajj, if possible. While not obligatory, performing Umrah first can give you knowledge of the environment in Makkah and Madinah. This, in turn, eases the whole process of Hajj as well. You can make this pilgrimage easier by opting for the best Umrah deals. Umrah can be a truly enriching experience that prepares you emotionally and mentally for the pilgrimage of Hajj. Not only this, but you can also learn about the logistics of travelling to and around the sacred city of Makkah. This can be helpful when planning for Hajj. If you're not financially ready for Hajj, it can be a good starting point to carry out the act of Umrah. You can even ask Allah Almighty for the opportunity to perform Hajj in the future.
Some scholars say that Umrah should be done before Hajj, though it is not a universally held opinion. For Muslims who have already completed the Hajj, Umrah can be a great way to renew their faith by revisiting the holy cities. Ultimately, the decision is yours on what to perform first.
Whether you want to do Umrah or Hajj, Muslims Holy Travel is the one-stop solution for your needs. We serve the Muslim community in the UK with all-inclusive Umrah and Hajj 2026 Packages. Get visa processing, all-star hotels, ziyarat tours, ground transport, and 24/7 support. Our Hajj and Umrah experts help you plan a smooth pilgrimage so that you can focus more on worship. Be it travelling solo or as part of a group for religious journeys, we've got you covered.
You can book family and group packages and even customise them as per your specific needs. By joining hands with us, you get the best prices for Umrah and Hajj packages 2026. Adding more to this, you can book Umrah online for a more convenient experience. So, what are you still waiting for? Get a free quote and book your pilgrimage journey with Muslims Holy Travel today!
Hajj and Umrah are two Islamic pilgrimages. Each of these religious trips has its unique significance and crucial requirements. Hajj is a compulsory pilgrimage for Muslims. Umrah, on the other hand, is a voluntary act of worship. Both journeys offer so many spiritual benefits to Muslims from around the world. Understanding the main differences between these pilgrimages can help you decide if you're considering doing either or both. No matter when you plan your next pilgrimage, get in touch with Muslims Holy Travel for a smooth journey. May your pilgrimage be a source of purity, forgiveness, and a much deeper connection to Allah Almighty!
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