What is Umrah?

Umrah is a journey to the House of Allah which can be undertaken at any time of the year. The original meaning for Umrah is “to visit a populated place”. The act of Umrah involves entering into a state of Ihram then performing Tawaf of the Kaaba and the running between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. Umrah is generally known as the ‘minor pilgrimage’ or ‘lesser pilgrimage’.

Why Perform Umrah?

Hajj and Umrah are both deeply spiritual journeys, the purposes and outcomes of each are however quite different. Whereas Hajj is obligatory on a Muslim having the ability to perform it, Umrah is very much a voluntary journey made out of a love and devotion for Allah SWT and a yearning to visit the sacred places in Makkah.

When can Umrah be made?

Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. Umrah is most commonly performed along with Hajj and in other times around the year as well (subject to Visa availability).

Virtues of Performing Umrah

Allah SWT says in the Qur’an:
“—fulfil Hajj and Umrah to Allah”.
(Qur’an 2: 196)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) commended and elaborated on the great merits of performing Umrah saying:

“The people who come to perform Hajj or Umrah are the guests of Allah because they visit His House on His Call; therefore, Allah grants them what they ask for” Ibn Majah
Abu Hurairah (R) narrates that the Prophet(S) said, ‘An Umrah to another Umrah will be redemption of sins for whatever (minor) occurs between them.’ (Bukhari, Muslim).
Ibne Mas’ood (R) said that the Prophet (S) said, ‘Follow up the Hajj and Umrah, because they certainly remove poverty and sins as fire separates the impurities from iron, gold and silver.’ (Tirmidhi, Ibne Khuzaimah, Ibne Hibbaan)