Hajj and Umrah are two similar forms of worship to God (Allah) that He legislated and prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught. However, they are different in terms of their timing, duration, and pillars where Umrah is a simplified form of Hajj. In the following paragraphs, we will list some of the major differences between Hajj and Umrah.
Here we will learn the following:
What is the Differences Difference Between Hajj and Umrah?
Hajj and Umrah are two great types of worship in Islam. They are similar in several points, however, they have major differences.
In this article, we discussed 10 major differences between Hajj and Umrah. If you are eager to learn more, subscribe to Explore Islam blog and keep updated!
1. Hajj is One of The Pillars of Islam While Umrah is not.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Islam is based on five pillars: Shahadah, performing Salat (prayer), giving Zakat (charity), fasting Ramadan, and Hajj (for those who have the ability).
It is worth mentioning that Hajj is among the five basic pillars of Islam, while Umrah is not.
2. Hajj is Fard However Umrah is Sunnah.
As we previously mentioned, Hajj is among the five basic pillars of Islam, thus, it is an obligation for every mature, able, conscious muslim.
On the other hand, Umrah is a kind of Sunnah, that if done, God grants you reward. However, if you don’t, you don’t hold any sin.
It is worth mentioning that both Hajj and Umrah are worth great reward from God in the worldly life and the hereafter.
3. Hajj is enough once a lifetime while Umrah could be numerous.
God (SWT) has obliged Hajj for able Muslims only once a lifetime. However Umrah -as a Sunnah- could be done whenever you wish.
That doesn’t mean that a Muslim couldn’t perform Hajj more than once. However, doing it once is enough for an able Muslim to fulfill God’s obligation.
4. Hajj is in Makkah and its surroundings While Umrah is done in Makkah only.
Umrah is done in Al-Masjid Al-Haram (The holy Mosque) in Makkah. However, Hajj involves other surrounding places such as Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Minah.
This makes Hajj greater and more comprehensive than Umrah.
To know more about where Muslims go during Hajj, follow our previous articles.
5. Hajj should be done in a specific Hijri (Lunar) Month while Umrah is done all the year.
It is worth mentioning that Hajj should be done at a specific time every year. It starts in the Hijri month Dhul-Hijjah and each pillar is related to a specific time.
For example, staying in Arafat should be done on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah and moving on to Muzdalifah should be before the sunrise of the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah.
On the other hand, Umrah is done at any time during the year and at any hour. Thus, you always see Muslims performing Umrah whenever you watch the live stream of The Holy Mosque.
6. Hajj requires several days while Umrah could be completed in just a few hours.
Due to the detailed, timed, and comprehensive nature of Hajj, it requires staying several days in Makkah and its surroundings to have your Hajj completed.
In case of Umrah, you only need a few hours to complete your Umrah as you don’t have to stay anywhere. However, some Muslims may stay after their Umrah to perform their prayers in The Holy Masjid which is not a part of Umrah.
If you need to know more about Umrah, follow our article: How To Perform Umrah? – Difference Between Hajj And Umrah
7. Hajj has many more pillars than Umrah.
Hajj is a great Umrah. This means that Hajj includes the deeds of Umrah and more.
For example, Umrah pillars are: Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, and Halq/Taqseer. While Hajj includes -in addition to what’s previously mentioned: staying in Arafat, Muzdalifah, Minah, and throwing Jamarat.
For more information about Hajj pillars, read our previous article: Hajj Pillars, Duties, Sunnahs, and Obligations – 2023 Full Guide
8. Hajj is a greater gathering of Muslims than Umrah.
Hajj and Umrah are considered great gatherings of Muslims from different ethnicities, nationalities, and backgrounds all over the world.
There are millions of people performing Umrah everyday. However, ten million Muslims and more are performing Hajj in its season.
This makes Hajj a more universal and a greater gathering of Muslims than Umrah.
9. Hajj is more rewarding than Umrah.
Hajj is Fard (obligation), that’s why its reward is far greater than that of Umrah.
Prophet Muhamad (PBUH) said:
“An ‘umra is an expiation for sins committed between it and the next, but a hajj which is accepted will receive no less a reward than paradise.”
(Mishkat al-Masabih 2508)
He also said: “Whoever performs Hajj (pilgrimage) and does not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commits sin, nor disputes unjustly (during Hajj), then he returns from Hajj as pure and free from sins as on the day on which his mother gave birth to him.”
(Riyad as-Salihin 1274)
To read about the benefits of Umrah and Hajj, refer to:
What Is The Importance Of Hajj? Best Benefits And Reward
What Are The Benefits Of Umrah? | 6 Major Benefits Of Umrah
10. Types Of Hajj Vs Types Of Umrah
There are 3 types of Hajj: Ifrad, Qiraan, and Tamatu’. However, Umrah has only 2 types: Ifrad and Tamatu’.
To learn more about the 3 types of Hajj, read: Types of Hajj in Islam: Hajj Ifrad, Hajj Qiran, and Hajj tamattu Explained!
