Difference Between Hajj and Umrah | Steps, Niyat & Rulings
The main difference between Hajj and Umrah is that Hajj is a pillar of Islam, obligatory once in a lifetime and performed only on fixed days of Dhul Hijjah, while Umrah is a shorter pilgrimage that can be performed at almost any time of the year. Both take place in Makkah and both begin with ihram, but Hajj includes several extra rites and takes five to six days.
Hajj and Umrah Difference at a Glance
| Hajj | Umrah | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Fard (obligatory) once in a lifetime for those who are able; a pillar of Islam | Sunnah muakkadah in the Hanafi and Maliki schools; obligatory once in the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools |
| Time | 8th to 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah only | Any time of the year |
| Duration | Five to six days | A few hours |
| Main rites | Ihram, Mina, Arafah, Muzdalifah, stoning the Jamarat, sacrifice, shaving or trimming, Tawaf, Sa’i | Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, shaving or trimming |
| Standing at Arafah | Essential; without it there is no Hajj | Not part of Umrah |
| Also called | The greater pilgrimage | The lesser pilgrimage |
What Is Hajj in Islam?
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. Every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform it once in a lifetime. Allah says in the Quran that pilgrimage to the House is a duty people owe to Allah, for whoever is able to find a way to it (Surah Aal Imran, 3:97).
Steps of Hajj (Hajj Ka Tarika)
- 8th Dhul Hijjah: enter ihram with the intention of Hajj and go to Mina.
- 9th Dhul Hijjah: stand at Arafah from midday until sunset, then go to Muzdalifah for the night.
- 10th Dhul Hijjah: stone the large Jamarah, offer the sacrifice, shave or trim the hair, and perform Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa’i.
- 11th and 12th Dhul Hijjah: stay in Mina and stone all three Jamarat each day. Staying for the 13th is optional.
- Before leaving Makkah: perform the farewell Tawaf.
There are three ways to perform Hajj: Ifrad (Hajj alone), Qiran (Hajj and Umrah together in one ihram) and Tamattu (Umrah first, then a new ihram for Hajj).
What Is Umrah in Islam?
Umrah means “to visit”. It is a visit to the Kabah to perform Tawaf and Sa’i in the state of ihram. The Quran mentions it together with Hajj: “Complete the Hajj and the Umrah for Allah” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:196).
Steps of Umrah (Umrah Ka Tarika)
- Ihram: enter ihram at the miqat with the intention of Umrah and begin the talbiyah.
- Tawaf: go around the Kabah seven times, then pray two rakats.
- Sa’i: walk seven times between Safa and Marwah.
- Halq or Taqsir: men shave or trim the hair; women trim a fingertip’s length. This ends the ihram.
Niyat for Hajj and Umrah
The intention is made in the heart. It is Sunnah to say it aloud when entering ihram.
Umrah niyat:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً
Labbayk Allahumma Umrah. (Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah.)
Hajj niyat:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ حَجًّا
Labbayk Allahumma Hajj. (Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj.)
Talbiyah
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Roman English: Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
Translation: Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. All praise, favour and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.
What Hajj and Umrah Have in Common
- Both are performed in Makkah and begin with ihram from the miqat.
- Both include Tawaf of the Kabah and Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.
- The restrictions of ihram are the same in both.
- Both end with shaving or trimming the hair.
Reward of Hajj and Umrah
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that one Umrah to the next is an expiation for what is between them, and that an accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1773; Sahih Muslim: 1349)
He ﷺ also said that Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj in reward (Sahih al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim). This is about reward only. It does not replace the obligatory Hajj.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Umrah count as Hajj?
No. Umrah does not fulfil the obligation of Hajj, however many times it is performed. A person who is able must still perform Hajj.
Can Umrah be performed at any time?
Yes, Umrah can be performed throughout the year. In the Hanafi school it is disliked on the five days of Hajj, from the 9th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
Can I perform Hajj and Umrah in the same trip?
Yes. This is done through Hajj Tamattu or Hajj Qiran. Most pilgrims travelling from India and Pakistan perform Tamattu, completing Umrah first and then entering ihram again for Hajj.
How long do Hajj and Umrah take?
The rites of Umrah take a few hours. The rites of Hajj take five to six days, from the 8th to the 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
Is Umrah compulsory?
Scholars differ. In the Hanafi and Maliki schools it is a confirmed Sunnah. In the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools it is obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are able.
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