DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAJJ & UMRAH

 

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAJJ   &  UMRAH

Mufti Khurram Ghazali 

1. Hajj & Umrah are both Islamic pilgrimages. The core areas of differentiation between the two are based on the level of importance, method of observance,   & method of practice.

2. Hajj is the major pilgrimage, having more religious significance as compared to Umrah.

3. Hajj has to be performed in the designated Islamic months, whereas Umrah can be performed at any time of the year.

4. Hajj is one of the 5 core pillars of Islam but Umrah is not.

5. Hajj can be performed with fellow pilgrims, while Umrah can turn out to be a highly individualized ritual.

6. Hajj   & Umrah seem similar in the beginning. Hajj is more detailed any involves more rituals   &  is of longer duration while Umrah can be performed in less than a few hours.

 

Despite all the above-mentioned differences between Hajj   &  Umrah, there are a lot of similarities between the two. Both of them symbolize the love of devotees towards Allah, strengthen up the level of faith, unite Muslims from all around the world,   &  purify the mind   &  soul.

 

Pillars of Hajj

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for every Muslim once in their lifetime provided they are physically fit & financially able to do so & can support their dependents during their absence.

1.     Ihram.

2.     Standing at Arfrat

3.     Tawaf-e- Ifadah

 

Pillars of the Umrah.

 

Umrah is a non-mandatory pilgrim made by Muslims to Kab’bah at any time with the intention to purify themselves   &  visit holy places. The pillars of the Umrah are:

1.     Ihraam

2.     Tawaf: Around the Kab’bah

3.     Sa’y: Rapidly walking seven times back   &  forth between the hills of Safa   &  Marwah

4.     Tafsir or Halq: a shaving of men’s hair