The two Islamic Pilgrimages

For the believers of Islam, there are two religious pilgrimages Umrah and Hajj. Muslims are subjected to observe these pilgrimages to the holy city of Makkah, Saudia Arabia, and perform the rites as per the sunnah of our Holy Prophet (SAWW). However, it’s for anyone who can physically, mentally as well as financially afford for it. Pilgrims travel from across the globe throughout the year for the holy rituals with their Umrah package 2022.

Islamic pilgrimages remain a set of rituals with the concept of gathering Muslims from across the world at the same place and thus promoting brotherhood, unity, and shared identity among them.

Here’s a brief description of the two pilgrimages of Islam.

Hajj – the obligatory pilgrimage.

Also referred to as the ‘Major Pilgrimage’ Hajj remains obligatory for every Muslim as the fifth fundamental pillar of the Islamic faith. However, not everyone is obliged to undertake hajj rituals but only those who can afford it financially as well as physically. Yet at the same time, such a person should also be providing for his family for all of their living expenditures i.e., if they are not accompanying along for the Hajj trip. If every single one of these above-mentioned conditions fulfills then hajj becomes obligatory for such a person and it is advised to perform it as soon as he/she can.

Time for Hajj performance.

Hajj remains an annual religious gathering i.e., it is observed only once every year during the last month of the Islamic year (Dhu-al-Hijjah).

The rituals of Hajj officially start from the 8th and last till the 12th of Dhu-al-Hijjah. Nonetheless, a majority of hajj pilgrims gather in the Haramain before this time and observe umrah rites. In these five days, pilgrims not only travel to a lot of different places but also offer a variety of holy rituals there, all of them deemed necessary for Hajj performance.

Umrah – the minor pilgrimage.

Also referred to as the ‘Minor pilgrimage’ umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage undertaken by a believer. Performing Umrah isn’t obligatory for any Muslim even if he/she possesses the means for it because it remains a sunnah pilgrimage.

Since Umrah holds similar rewards to Hajj, it’s advised to follow up on its performance. That’s why millions of pilgrims keep on arriving in the region for the holy rituals of Umrah all-around the year.

Time for Umrah’s performance.

Umrah pilgrimage is and can be performed by a pilgrim at any time of the year (any month) but excluding the days of the hajj pilgrimage.

If all of the rituals of Umrah are observed by a pilgrim consecutively, the minor pilgrimage can be completed in a few hours.

Thus, for a believer being able to perform Hajj and Umrah remain among the greatest blessings of Allah Almighty. Though everyone dreams for it but only a few are fortunate enough to get the opportunity, whoever Allah wills.