Differences Between Hajj And Umrah In Terms Of Rituals
Hajj and Umrah are both special and sacred pilgrimages for Muslims. The purpose of this sacred pilgrimage is to seek the pleasure and approval of Allah. In both Hajj and Umrah, Muslims visit a holy and grand place, Makkah, where hundreds of Muslims gather to perform this pure form of worship and hope for reward from Allah.
The difference between Hajj and Umrah lies only in their obligation and rituals; otherwise, the aim of both is the circumambulation and visitation of the Kaaba.
Hajj and Umrah are both beautiful acts of worship, but there is a slight difference between the two.
We will inform you about the differences between the two through some key points mentioned below.
What is Hajj and how it is performed?
Hajj is the fifth major pillar of Islam and a grand, comprehensive act of worship. It is obligatory for a Muslim to perform Hajj once in their lifetime. Hajj is a sacred, blessed, and pure journey for Muslims to a holy land. It serves as a beautiful reminder of a great and memorable sacrifice, recalling the story of a noble and compassionate father and a brave, pious son. Hajj directs us towards obedience to Allah’s command.
Hajj is a comprehensive act of worship that is performed only once a year. From the 8th to the 12th of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, Muslims gather in the city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia to perform this beautiful act of worship.
How Hajj is performed:
Ihram
Entering the Holy Kaaba involves being in a state of sanctity and wearing a sacred garment, which is called Ihram.Ihram is an unstitched garment. It is a pure and beautiful attire meant for pilgrims. Entering the boundaries of the sacred area (Haram) without Ihram is not permissible because wearing Ihram is one of the obligations of Hajj and is essential. This sacred garment is worn at a designated place, after which the pilgrim enters the boundaries of the Haram.
Tawaf al-Qudum
Tawaf al-Qudum refers to the act of circumambulating the Holy Kaaba seven times, and these circles are made in a counterclockwise direction. Which is done during Hajj or Umrah. Tawaf al-Qudum is a way of welcoming the pilgrims and expressing their love, devotion, and faith before Allah.
Wuquf at arafat
is a crucial component of Hajj. On the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, people gather in the plain of Arafat, where they seek forgiveness from Allah for their sins, strive to gain His pleasure and approval, express their love and devotion, and make numerous prayers.This is an essential component of Hajj, and if it is omitted, the Hajj is considered incomplete.
Muzdalifah and mina
There are two important sites in Hajj: Muzdalifah and Mina.
Muzdalifah:Muzdalifah is the place where people go to spend the night. After spending the day in the plain of Arafat, pilgrims arrive at Muzdalifah and spend the night under the open sky. Here, they also collect pebbles used for the ritual of stoning the pillars in Mina. The night is spent in worship and prayer.
Mina:On the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims arrive in Mina and perform certain specific rituals.
The following three are the specific rituals:
Ramy al-Jamarat (Stoning of the Pillars)
This ritual is performed on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. It is a fundamental part of Hajj, where the objective is to throw pebbles at three symbolic pillars representing Satan. Each pilgrim is required to throw seven pebbles at each pillar. This practice continues in accordance with the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).
Sacrifice
Pilgrims perform the ritual sacrifice in Mina, which is an important part of Hajj. This act is carried out in commemoration of the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).
Halq/Taqsir
After the sacrifice, men shave their heads, and women trim their hair. This act symbolizes the completion and fulfillment of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Tawaf al-Ifadah
This is the circumambulation performed by pilgrims upon returning from Arafat. It must be done between the dawn of the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah and sunset on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. It is a fundamental part of Hajj and is also referred to as Tawaf al-Ziyarah.
Tawaf al-Wida
This is the farewell circumambulation performed when leaving the Holy Kaaba. The time for Tawaf al-Wida begins after Tawaf al-Ifadah. Even if a Tawaf is performed with the intention of voluntary (nafl) worship during this period, it is still considered Tawaf al-Wida.
Umarh and their rituals
Umrah, like Hajj, is also a grand act of worship. It is referred to as the “lesser pilgrimage” (Hajj Asghar). Umrah is a religious pilgrimage for Muslims to the sacred land of Makkah. It is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the Prophet encouraged Muslims to perform it.
There are three rituals of Umrah:
Ihram
Entering the state of Ihram is necessary before entering the Kaaba. The Ihram consists of two unstitched garments, which are worn during both Umrah and Hajj. These garments symbolize purity and equality among all Muslims, regardless of status or wealth.
Tawaf
After entering the Kaaba, performing Tawaf is one of the essential rituals of Umrah. Tawaf involves circling the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction. During this act, Muslims express their love, devotion, and faith before Allah, symbolizing unity and submission to Him.
Sa’i
Sa’i is the third pillar of Umrah, representing a beautiful memory of a brave mother’s care and love. It commemorates Hagar’s (Hajra’s) search for water for her son, Ishmael (Ismail). In Sa’i, Muslims walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, symbolizing determination, faith, and trust in Allah.
Summary
The difference between Hajj and Umrah are based on their rituals There is a difference between Hajj and Umrah in terms of obligation and their rituals. Hajj is a mandatory act of worship for Muslims who are able to perform it, while Umrah is a Sunnah (optional but highly recommended). The rituals and practices of both are also different.Hajj takes more time and is performed over several days during specific dates in the Islamic calendar, whereas Umrah can be completed in just a few hours and can be performed at any time of the year.