Umrah in Islam – Meaning, Intention, Dua, and Difference from Hajj

People visit religious or sacred sites globally, for religious or spiritual reasons or just to feel better, often known as religious tourism. It happens globally, like Christians visit like to visit Vatican City or Jerusalem, Jews also like to visit Jerusalem, as a matter of fact, Jerusalem is sacred to all 3 Abrahamic religions. So globally, all religions have sacred sites where people like to visit. At least, once in a life time and there are numerous reasons to it. While it comes to Muslims, they also have sacred sites, particularly, in Makkah, Madina, Saudi Arabia or as mentioned earlier, Jerusalem, the first Kibla ( Where Muslims used to face for offering prayers), many other religious sites in Iran, Iraq and Syria, specifically for Shia Muslims. So global religious tourism isn’t something new or odd, its a practice world wide. The two holiest sites in Islam are Makkah and Madinah, Makkah is home to the Kaaba, where as Madinah is where Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi) is located. Another important one is in Jerusalem but due to political issues, majority of Muslims cannot visit there. The annual visit and among the five pillars of Islam to Khana Kaaba is known as Hajj. Its a long time taking combination of religious rituals and all the Muslims who can fulfil certain conditions are told to do at least one Hajj in lifetime. The other one which also includes visiting Ka’aba is called Umrah which is relatively much smaller than Hajj but still holds significance in Islam.

Importance of Umrah in Islam

Umrah is often called the “minor pilgrimage,” is a deeply spiritual and sometimes an emotional journey that holds great value in Islam and for all Muslims. Although it is not compulsory like Hajj for once in a lifetime but still, performing Umrah is a beautiful act of devotion that strengthens a Muslim’s bond with Allah. It’s a time to step away from daily life, visit the house of God, seek forgiveness, purify the heart and spend sometimes alone from the world. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said “that one Umrah to another wipes away the sins committed in between” is a powerful reminder of Allah’s endless mercy. Dressed in simple white garments to show humility, every person stands equal before Allah, leaving behind status and wealth. So in short, The Umrah is more than just a ritual, it’s a journey of peace, reflection, and renewal. It reminds us that faith, humility, and gratitude are the true paths to closeness with our Creator. Some people often confuse Umrah with Hajj but there is a lot of difference in both which we will discuss later.

Umrah Meaning

The word Umrah (عُمرة) in Arabic language means “to visit a populated place.” In Islamic terms, Umrah refers to a devoted spiritual journey to the holy city of Makkah to perform specific acts of worship which includes Tawaf (circling the Kaaba or walk around it) and Sa’i (walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah). Unlike Hajj, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year and is not mandatory but still holds enormous importance in Islam and every year, millions of people perform Umrah. It holds great spiritual rewards and significance. It helps Muslims to renew their faith, seek forgiveness, and experience a deep sense of peace and closeness to Allah. In simple words, Umrah is a journey of purification and devotion, where a believer leaves behind worldly distractions to reconnect with the Creator in the holiest place on earth.

Umrah vs Hajj

Some people often are confused by both terms but there is huge difference between them which we are going to discuss in this part.

Umrah:
Umrah is a non-obligatory pilgrimage or visit to the holy city of Makkah that Muslims can perform any time of the year, means there is no time bounding. It involves specific rituals such as Tawaf (walking around the Kaaba) and Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah). Though it is not mandatory but still, it is a highly recommended Sunnah and carries great spiritual rewards, forgiveness, and closeness to Allah. When it comes to Hajj, there are several conditions which are necessary for it.

Hajj:
Hajj is one of the five (5) pillars of Islam, which makes it a major act although not mandatory but becomes mandatory under certain conditions, becoming major and obligatory pilgrimage to Makkah that every adult Muslim must perform at least once in a lifetime, depending on situation such as they are physically, mentally, and financially able. It includes a series of rituals performed during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, such as standing at Arafat, Tawaf, and sacrificing an animal on Eid ul Adha.

Some major differences between Hajj and Umrah:

Aspect	Hajj	Umrah
Obligation	Mandatory once in a lifetime (if able)	Sunnah, not obligatory but highly recommended
Time	Only in Dhul Hijjah	Can be performed any time of the year
Duration	Takes several days (8th–13th Dhul Hijjah)	Can be completed within few hours
Rituals	Includes Arafat, Mina, Muzdalifah, Tawaf, Sa’i, and sacrifice	Includes only Tawaf and Sa’i
Spiritual Value	Fulfills one of the five pillars of Islam	Brings forgiveness and spiritual renewal

In short, Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation, while Umrah is a voluntary act of worship that can be performed anytime for spiritual purification and reward.

How to Perform Umrah – Step-by-Step Guide

Umrah is one of the most desired act or ritual for Muslims and they really want to perform it tales once in a lifetime. Its a beautiful act of worship that brings a Muslim closer to Allah. It consists of a few simple but deeply spiritual steps. Here’s how to perform Umrah step by step:

1. Intention (Niyyah):
Before starting, make the sincere intention to perform Umrah solely for the sake of Allah. Say the Talbiyah:
“Labbayk Allahumma Umrah” — “Here I am, O Allah, to perform Umrah.”

2. Ihram (Entering the Sacred State):
Wear the special white garments — two unstitched cloths for men and modest clothing for women. Once you enter Ihram, avoid cutting nails, using perfume, or engaging in worldly activities.

3. Tawaf (Circumambulation of the Kaaba):
Upon reaching Masjid al-Haram, perform seven counterclockwise rounds around the Kaaba, starting from the Black Stone (Hajr-e-Aswad).

4. Sa’i (Walking Between Safa and Marwah):
After Tawaf, walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, remembering Allah and making personal duas.

5. Halq or Taqsir (Shaving or Trimming Hair):
Men either shave their heads (Halq) or trim their hair short (Taqsir), while women trim a small portion of their hair. This marks the completion of Umrah, and you are now out of Ihram.

Umrah may be short in duration, but its spiritual impact lasts a lifetime, cleansing the soul and drawing the believer nearer to Allah.

Umrah Intention or Dua

Umrah Intention and Dua

Before beginning Umrah, a Muslim should make a sincere intention (Niyyah) in their heart — to perform Umrah only for the sake of Allah. The intention marks the start of this sacred journey and is made just before entering into Ihram.

Umrah Niyyah (Intention) and Dua that is usually recited:

Arabic:
اللهم لبيك عمرة

Transliteration:
Allahumma labbayka ‘umrah

Translation:
“O Allah, I am here to perform Umrah.”

After making this intention, pilgrims recite the Talbiyah, a declaration of devotion:

Arabic:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْك، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْك، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

Transliteration:
Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharīka laka labbayk.
Innal-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, la sharīka lak.

Translation:
“Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner. Here I am.
Surely all praise, blessings, and dominion belong to You. You have no partner.”

This dua is recited repeatedly as you travel toward Makkah, keeping your heart focused on Allah and the purpose of your journey.

Final Words

Umrah holds a special place in Islam as a journey of peace, purification, and closeness to Allah while also being affordable to majority of people as compare to Hajj. While it is not obligatory like Hajj, it still offers immense spiritual rewards, cleansing the heart from sins and renewing faith. Unlike Hajj, which is performed once in a lifetime during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. It is a Sunnah act that reminds believers of humility, equality, and devotion before Allah. Every Muslim who is able should strive to perform Umrah with sincerity, pure intentions, and gratitude. It is not just a physical journey to Makkah but a spiritual journey toward inner peace and a stronger connection with the Creator. We wish that all of you get to perform Umrah or Hajj! Aameen