হজ্জ — উমরাহ

হজ্জ is the fifth pillar of Islam, ওয়াজিব (fard) once in a lifetime for every Muslim who has the physical and financial ability (istitaah). It can only be performed during the specific days of Dhul Hijjah (8th-13th) in the Islamic calendar. উমরাহ, in contrast, is considered sunnah mu'akkadah (confirmed sunnah) by the majority of scholars — highly মুস্তাহাব but not ওয়াজিব (though the Shafi'i school considers it ওয়াজিব once in a lifetime). উমরাহ can be performed at any time of year, though certain periods carry greater reward: during Ramadan, নবী করীম said, 'উমরাহ during Ramadan is equal to হজ্জ' (Bukhari).

উমরাহ consists of four components: entering ইহরাম at the Miqat, performing তাওয়াফ (seven circuits around the কাবা শরীফ), performing সাঈ (seven laps between Safa and Marwah), and shaving or trimming the hair. The entire process typically takes 3-4 hours. হজ্জ includes all of these plus additional major rituals spread over 5-6 days: spending the day at Arafah (the pillar of হজ্জ), overnight at মুযদালিফা, three days in মিনা with the জামারাত stoning, the animal sacrifice (Hadi), and multiple specific সালাতs and rituals at each location. হজ্জ also involves three types (Tamattu', Qiran, Ifrad), each with slightly different ritual requirements.

উমরাহ is significantly less expensive and logistically simpler than হজ্জ. A standard উমরাহ trip (flights, hotel, visa) costs $1,500-$4,000 from most countries and can be arranged independently or through a tour operator. হজ্জ packages typically range from $5,000-$25,000+ because they must include accommodation during the হজ্জ days, tent allocations in মিনা, transport between sites, and the complex logistics of moving within the হজ্জ crowd management system. হজ্জ also requires booking through authorized operators in most countries, while উমরাহ can often be arranged independently with a tourist or উমরাহ visa.

Both উমরাহ and হজ্জ carry immense spiritual reward. নবী করীম said about উমরাহ: 'An উমরাহ is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the next উমরাহ' (Bukhari). About হজ্জ, he said: 'An accepted হজ্জ has no reward except Paradise' (Bukhari). The key spiritual difference is that হজ্জ includes elements that উমরাহ does not: the Day of Arafah (the most powerful day for dua and forgiveness), the sacrifice (commemorating Ibrahim's willingness), the stoning (rejecting Shaytan), and the multi-day communal experience in মিনা that deepens solidarity and patience. Many scholars recommend performing উমরাহ first as preparation for the more demanding and comprehensive হজ্জ.