Question: What are the essential differences between Hajj and Umrah

Hajj and Umrah both are pilgrimages of Islam undertaken by Muslims all
around the world.. The core areas of differentiation between the two are based
on the level of importance, method of observance, and the method of practice.
Significance:
Hajj is considered as the major pilgrimage and Umrah is considered as a lesser
one. From religious point of view, the significance of Hajj is higher than that of
Umrahs.
Rituals:
The rituals for Umrah involve the ihram (ritual of purification), circling the holy
Kabah, Sae (the walk) between Safa and Marwah, drinking Zamzam water, and
shaving or cutting the hair. However, In addition to all the rituals practiced in
Umrah, Hajj includes additional rituals, such as, spending days and nights in
areas neighboring the city of Makkah (Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah), stoning
the devil, and slaughtering the animal in the name of Allah.
Performing the Pilgrimage:
Another difference between Hajj and Umrah is that Hajj is strictly performed in
the designated months of Shawwal, Dhul-Hijjah (Zul Hijjah), and Dhul-Qadah
only, whereas Umrah can be performed at anytime of the year.
The Rulings for Hajj and Umrah:
The major point of dissimilarity between the two is the fact that Hajj is one of
the 5 pillars of Islam. Allah has made it obligatory for all the Muslims to
perform Hajj at-least once in their lifetime. As mentioned by Allah in the holy
Quran And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him
who can find a way thither (Aal Imran 3:97).
In case of Umrah, scholars share varied beliefs. Some consider it obligatory
while others are of the opinion that it is merely a Sunnah. To be on the safer
side, one can perform both. It is recommended to perform Umrah al Tamatu
(Umrah with Hajj) as it involves performing both, Umrah and Hajj.
The Crux of the differences between Hajj and Umrah:

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1. Hajj and Umrah are both Islamic pilgrimages. The core areas of
differentiation between the two are based on the level of importance, method of
observance, and the method of practice.
2. Hajj is the major pilgrimage, having more religious significance as compared
to Umrah.
3. Hajj is obligatory to perform at-least once in a lifetime, on the contrary, the
Ulema debate if Umrah is compulsory or a Sunnah.
3. Hajj has to be performed in the designated Islamic months, whereas Umrah
can be performed at anytime of the year.
4. Hajj is one of the 5 core pillars of Islam but Umrah is not.
5. Hajj can be performed with fellow pilgrims, while Umrah can turn out to be a
highly individualized ritual.
6. Hajj and Umrah seem similar in the beginning. Hajj is more detailed any
involves more rituals and is of longer duration while Umrah can be performed in
less than a few hours.
Despite all the above mentioned differences between Hajj and Umrah, there are
a lot of similarities between the two. Both of them symbolize the love of
devotees towards Allah, strengthen up the level of faith, unite Muslims from all
around the world, and purify the mind and soul.

(b) In what ways are the prophet Ibrahim and his family important to the
annual pilgrimage?

Hajj is a remembrance of Ibrahim (Abraham) (A.S.) and an inheritance of all

prophets. It is a complete set of actions that must be performed in a specific order
and time. Hajj rituals were revealed and taught to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) by
Gabriel, the trustworthy angel of revelations. Angel Gabriel had taught the same
Hajj rituals to Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.).

Quran says that Hazrat Ibrahim AS rebuilt Kaaba and placed a stone from heaven
on one of the sides , which is called Hajar e Aswad, the Black Stone. Muslims try
to kiss this stone during tawaf of Kaaba during Hajj and Umrah

Hazrat Ibrahim AS left an infant Hazrat Ismael and Bibi Hajar in Makkah, Hazrat
Hazrat Hajra ran several times between the hills of Safa and Marwa in search of

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water for her infant son. Saee is performed in memory of this act in which
pilgrims run between the two hills during hajj.After this the well of Zamzam
erupted from where Hazrat Ismaeel was scarapping his feet.

Moreover , when Hazrat Ibrahim came back to his family after some years, he saw
a dream for some nights that he was sacrificing his son . He took it as a sign from
Allah and was ready to sacrifice his son. Muslims believe that Satan tried to
mislead Ibrahim at the three places where the Jamarat are situated in Mina when he
was on his way to sacrifice his son in Allahs way . He threw stones at the devil. In
memory of this act the three pillars/Jamarat are stoned by the pilgrims during hajj
and is called Rami. Muslims also sacrifice animals to commemorate that sacrifice .

Question :Give a brief explanation of the importance of each of the following

in Muslim beliefs and practices in relation to the hajj: (M/J/06)

(a) the Kaba; [4]

(b) ihram; [4]
(c) Arafat; [4]

a) The Kaaba
The circumbulation of Kaaba for tawaf is the center of the pillar of Hajj.
The Kaaba was built by Hazrat Adam AS and later restored by Hazrat
Ibrahim AS and again in the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The
Kaaba is not only the focus of Muslims prayers from all over he world, it
Muslims circumbulate it seven times before the Hajj and during Tawaf-e-
Ziarah and then during Tawaf-e Widaa. They try to kiss the Black Stone (
Hajr-e- Aswad) as they pass it following the prophets example.
(b) ihram
Ihram is the state of purity which Muslims enter when beginning the
pilgrimage. The chief sign is for men two pieces of white cloth worn around them.
For women it is normal clothes covering the whole body except face and hands.
The Ihram removes signs of distinction and makes all pilgrims appear equal.
In the state of ihram the pilgrim comes under particular restrictions of conduct,
such as no cutting of hair or nails, not harming of any living creature ( animal,
insects, leaf, flowers etc.)

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c) Arafat
In Arafat the pilgrims arrive on 9th Dhull Hajja after Fajar and pray until
dusk. It the site where the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gave his last sermon. During
this day the pilgrims listen to sermons delivered by Islamic scholars from Jabal Al
Rahmah (The Mount of Mercy). If a pilgrim somehow doesnt spend the day in
Arafat his/her Hajj is considered invalid. Its the day of wuquf standing before
God where pilgrims stand from noon to dusk to offer prayers. It is believed that the
maximum numbers of Muslims are forgiven this day. Hazrat Adam and his wife
were reunited in the plain of Arafat after being expelled from Jannah. All humans
will be resurrected in this plain on the Day of Judgment too.
d) Eid Al Adha
Eis ul Adha is celebrated my all those Muslims who are not performing Hajj every
year from 10th Dhull Hajja to 12th Dhull Hajja. This Eid is celebrated to
commemorate Hazrat Ibrahims sacrifice of his son. Muslims celebrate this eid by
sacrificing either a camel, cow, goat or lamb. Muslim families arrange feasts to
celebrate this Eid and share the meat with poor people to promote sacrifice and
unity among Muslims.
Question : What is the communal importance of hajj?

The once in a life time obligation of hajj is of central importance in the system of
ibaadat in Islam. It creates a sense of community in the Muslim Ummah. It is one
in a life time obligation on an adult , sane and financially stable man and woman
.It enables Muslim from all over the world to meet one another and spend time
with each other while performing religious rites spread over 5 days in Dhul Hajja.
The concept of Hajj creates a sense of equality among the Muslims irrespective of
their race , language, nationality and social status. This experience strengthens
their faith and encourages them to return to their communities with the aim of
educating and helping others.

Question: What beliefs and practices are involved in:

(i) stoning the Jamarat

(ii) performing say
(iii) assembling at Arafat

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 (i) stoning the Jamarat
Muslims believe that satan tried to mislead Ibrahim AS at the three places
where the Jamarat are situated in Mina when he was on his way to
sacrifice his son in Allahs way .He threw pebbles at the devil to make
him run away. In memory of this act the three pillars/Jamarat are stoned
by the pilgrims during hajj on 10, 11 and 12 Dhull hajj and is called Rami
(ii) performing say
Hazrat Ibrahim AS left an infant Hazrat Ismael and Bibi Hajar in
Makkah, Hazrat Hazrat Hajra ran several times between the hills of Safa
and Marwa in search of water for her infant son. Saee is performed in
memory of this act in which pilgrims run between the two hills during
hajj
(iii) assembling at Arafat
In Arafat the pilgrims arrive on 9th Dhull Hajja after Fajar and pray until
dusk. It the site where the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gave his last
sermon. During this day the pilgrims listen to sermons delivered by
Islamic scholars from Jabal Al Rahmah (The Mount of Mercy). If a
pilgrim somehow doesnt spend the day in Arafat his/her Hajj is
considered invalid. Its the day of wuquf standing before God where
pilgrims stand from noon to dusk to offer prayers. It is believed that the
maximum numbers of Muslims are forgiven this day. Also, Hazrat Adam
and his wife are believed to have been reunited in the plain of Arafat
after being expelled from Jannah. All humans will be resurrected in this
plain on the Day of Judgment too.

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