Muslims from different parts of the world gathers in the holy city of Makkah for Umrah in the month of Ramadan in very large number. The Umrah in the month of Ramadan is very rewardable.
Hajj is more time consuming and involves more rituals, while Umrah can be performed in a few hours even though they share common rites. The main difference that lies in Hajj and Umrah is their method of observance and the level of importance, wherein both are Islamic pilgrimages. Hajj is obligatory to be performed by every Muslim who is physically and financially capable of it. Umrah is a highly recommended pilgrimage whereas not a compulsory one.
Umrah is a pilgrimage of Islam to the holiest city for Muslims - Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This can be undertaken during any time of the year unlike Hajj which is undertaken according to the Islamic Lunar Calendar. A Muslim must assume Ihram a state which is obtained after the cleansing and purifying rituals. This is according to their law i.e., Sharia, they have different conditions for different Pilgrims traveling through various means.
Mecca was earlier occupied by Arab Pagans, they used to worship idols inside Mecca. Thus there was no grant of admittance to the Holy Site and the right to practice the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Performance of Hajj was prescribed by the Quran and it is reported that throughout Muhammed s era, the Muslims wanted to ascertain the right to perform Umrah and Hajj to Mecca. According to the traditional Muslim stories, Muhammad dreamt of performing the ceremonies of Umrah while at Madinah.
During the Hajj the Pilgrims perform acts of worship and they renew their sense of purpose in the world. Mecca is a place that is holy to all Muslims. It is so holy that no non-Muslim is allowed to enter. For Muslims, the Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. Sep 8, 2018
Once a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, colour, social status, and culture gather together in Mecca and stand before the Kaaba praising Allah together. It is a ritual that is designed to promote the bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah.
The Hajj makes Muslims feel real importance of life here on earth, and the afterlife, by stripping away all markers of social status, wealth, and pride. In the Hajj all are truly equal. The Hajjis or pilgrims wear simple white clothes called Ihram. During the Hajj the Pilgrims perform acts of worship and they renew their sense of purpose in the world.
