Hajj and Umrah are spiritual journeys undertaken by the people following Islam to seek the blessings of Allah. Doing so earns spiritual merits and offers pilgrims an opportunity for self-renewal. People believe that going on Hajj and Umrah also grants forgiveness for the sins of the past. Both the pilgrimages involve certain common rites that are completed by the devotees undertaking the holy journeys. However, the main difference between Hajj and Umrah lies in their method of observance and level of significance. These pilgrimages that are sometimes considered to be the same have several dissimilarities between them. Let’s understand what Hajj & Umrah are and how they are different.
What is Hajj?
Hajj is the annual Muslim pilgrimage that is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. The rites performed during this journey were established by Prophet Muhammad. However, based on the Quran, these rituals can be traced back to Prophet Ibrahim, who was asked to leave his wife and son in the desert of Mecca. According to Islamic beliefs, performing these rites with faith in Allah represents submission to god and earns merit.
What is Umrah?
Umrah is the Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that can be performed at any time of the year. Muslims call it the ‘minor pilgrimage’ that cleanses a pilgrim and frees him/her from the wrongs and sins of his/her past. Performing Umrah is highly recommended in the Islamic religion as it is an act of worshipping and acknowledging the most gracious Allah.
Major differences between Umrah and Hajj
| Criteria | Umrah | Hajj |
| Significance | Recommended but not mandatory | Obligatory pilgrimage, a pillar of Islam |
| Timing | Can be performed any time of year | Specific time during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah |
| Obligatory Acts | Ihram, Tawaf, Sayi, Shaving/Trimming | Ihram, Arafah standing, Muzdalifah stay, Stoning Jamarat, Shaving, Farewell Tawaf |
| Time Required | Few hours | 5-6 days |
| Pillars | Ihram, Tawaf, Sayi, Tahallul | Ihram, Saee, Waqfat, Tawaf al-Ifaadah |
5 Differences between Umrah and Hajj
While it is true that both Hajj and Umrah are significant in Islam and are performed at the Holy Kaaba, they are very much different from each other based on the rituals and importance. There are several grounds based on which these pilgrimages can be considered different. The most important ones are mentioned below:
1. Significance
In Islam, both Umrah and Hajj are supposed to offer pilgrims forgiveness and extra merits. However, according to the religion, the level of importance of both these journeys is different. Hajj is considered an obligatory pilgrimage that every Muslim must undertake at least once in his/her lifetime, given he/she is physically and financially capable of making the journey, however performing Umrah is not compulsory. Umrah is highly recommended but not mandatory, unlike the major pilgrimage of Hajj. This sets Umrah and Hajj different from each other.
2. Timing
Another difference between Hajj and Umrah is the time when one should go on these pilgrimages. Muslims undertake the journey of Hajj during the month of Dhu al Hijjah, the last month of the lunar calendar. The rites of Hajj are to be performed between the 8th and 12th day of this month. Whereas Umrah can be performed during any time of the year.
3. Obligatory Acts
For Umrah, the obligatory acts include assuming the state of Ihram after declaring the intention of Umrah, performing Tawaf, carrying out Sayi between the hills of Safa and Marwa, and lastly, shaving of the head or clipping a portion of hair. Whereas, when performing Hajj, one needs to assume Ihram from Meeqat, stand on Arafah until sunset, spend the night at Muzdalifah, pass the night in Mina during Tashreeq, stone the Jamarat, shave the hair, and lastly, perform farewell circumambulation. Notably, both the pilgrimages are considered complete only after performing all these obligatory acts.
4. Time Required for Rituals
The pilgrimages of Umrah and Hajj are also different based on the time required to complete the journey. A pilgrim can perform Umrah rituals in just a few hours but completion of Hajj needs at least five to six days. The rites and rituals and the physical toil that one needs to put in these pilgrimages are responsible for time variation.
5. Pillars of Hajj and Umrah
Another difference between Hajj and Umrah can be observed on the grounds of the pillars of these individual pilgrimages. In Hajj, there are four pillars:
- The first is Ihram, about which the Prophet said that deeds are rewarded based on intentions. Iharm has a specific timing that pilgrims have to abide by.
- The second is Sayi, for which the Prophet said that it is the decree of Allah that one should perform Sayi.
- The third is Waqfat. And, the Prophet said Hajj is Arafah. Standing only for a moment at any place of Arafah during the dawn of the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah is sufficient.
- The last is Tawaf al-Ifaadah, which is a must. About it, the Almighty says let them put an end to their untidiness and perform Tawaaf around the ancient house.
In Umrah as well, we have four pillars, but they are not the same as Hajj:
- The first pillar of Umrah is Ihram which is a sacred state that people must enter before beginning the holy journey.
- The second one is Tawaf, where a pilgrim encircles the holy Kaaba in an anti-clockwise direction.
- The third is Sayi that involves ritualistic walking between the mountains of Safa and Marwah. It symbolizes the everyday struggle of life.
- The last pillar is Tahallul that means the discontinuation of the holy state of Umrah. After completing Umrah, pilgrims need to shave their head.
So, these are some of the major differences between Umrah and Hajj that set them apart from each other.
How to perform Umrah?
As per Umrah guide, here are the steps to perform umrah:
- Enter the Ihram
- Circumambulate the Kaaba seven times in a counter-clockwise direction
- Walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times
- Indulge in the act of Halq and Taqsir
- Complete Umrah by exiting the state of Ihram
How to perform Hajj?
- Pilgrims have to enter the stage of Ihram and wear white garments
- The next step is to spend the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah at the plain of Arafah
- After Arafah, pilgrims go to Muzdalifah and spend the night there
- Pilgrims throw stone at the three pillars representing Satan in Mina
- They indulge in the act of Halq and Taqsir
- Pilgrims perform Tawaf al-Ifaadah or farewell tawaf to complete the Muslim’s pilgrimage to Mecca
Though there are numerous differences between the two holy pilgrimages, millions of pilgrim visit Saudi Arabia for the religious journey each year. Hajj and Umrah makes up the essential aspect of Islam and its believes. People from around the world remain highly enthusiastic to carry out the holy pilgrimages of hajj and Umrah.
Suggested Read: Pillars Of Hajj And Umrah
Difference Between Hajj And Umrah FAQs
Should you do Hajj or Umrah first?
Many people who are keen to undertake the holy pilgrimages of Umrah and Hajj wonder if they should do hajj or Umrah first. Since in Islam, Hajj is an obligatory pilgrimage, many people choose to go on the major pilgrimage first.
What is Hajj?
Hajj is the annual Muslim pilgrimage that is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. The rites performed during this journey were established by Prophet Muhammad.
What is Umrah?
Umrah is the Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year. Muslims call it the ‘minor pilgrimage’ that cleanses a pilgrim and frees him/her from the wrongs and sins of his/her past.
What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?
Hajj is considered an obligatory pilgrimage that every Muslim must undertake at least once in his/her lifetime, given he/she is physically and financially capable of making the journey, however performing Umrah is not compulsory. Umrah is highly recommended but not mandatory, unlike the major pilgrimage of Hajj.
What is the difference between the timings of Hajj and Umrah?
Muslims undertake the journey of Hajj during the month of Dhu al Hijjah, the last month of the lunar calendar. The rites of Hajj are to be performed between the 8th and 12th day of this month. Whereas Umrah can be performed during any time of the year.
What are the pillars of Hajj and Umrah?
The first is Ihram, The second is Saee, The third is Waqfat and The last is Tawaf al-Ifaadah, which is a must.
What are popular ziyarat sites while visiting Makkah for Hajj and Umrah?
Pilgrims can visit Cave of Hira apart from Al Haram after the pilgrimage.
How much time is required to carry out Hajj and Umrah?
Pilgrims can complete Hajj in 5-6 days while Umrah can be completed within hours on a single day.
Should you do Hajj or Umrah first?
As Hajj is obligatory in Islam, it is preferred to go on Hajj first.
What is the difference between the timings of Hajj and Umrah?
While Umrah can be performed in any month, Hajj can only be performed in the month of Dhu Al Hijjah.
