In Arabic, the word Umrah is derived from Itimar which means a visit. However, Umrah in Islamic terminology which means a pilgrimage specific to Makkah in Saudi Arabia. Hajj is another pilgrimage to the same land, however the Hajj is confined to specific calendar dates while the Umrah can be undertaken at any time of the year

In accordance to the Shariah, for both pilgrimages, a Muslim must first assume Ihram, a state of purification achieved by completing cleansing rituals, wearing the prescribed attire, and abstaining from certain actions. More importantly, though not as visual, one must get into a mental state completely humble and submissive to Allah SWT. The Ihram has it’s own detailed yet simple regulations, which can be found on this website on the other relevant pages.

The two key rituals of Umrah are Tawaf and Sa’ee. Tawaf is a circling round the Ka’bah and the Sa’ee is walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah. Pilgrims conclude the pilgrimage with Halq. For ladies, it is a partial shortening of their hair, about an inch in length. Men have a choice of a complete head shave or just a small trim of the head.

Umrah is also called a “minor hajj”, as all it’s rites are a subset of the major hajj rites. It is however not a substitute for Hajj. Umrah is an optional worship, regardless of whether you can afford it. Hajj is a compulsory worship that you have to perform at least once in your life if you have the financial and logistic means and are physically healthy to perform it.