عمرہ

What Does عمرہ Mean in Detail?

عمرہ is often called the 'lesser حج' or 'minor حج' to distinguish it from حج, the 'greater حج.' Unlike حج, which can only be performed during the specific days of Dhul Hijjah, عمرہ may be performed at any time of the year, making it far more accessible. Millions of Muslims perform عمرہ annually, especially during the blessed month of Ramadan — نبی کریم Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said, 'عمرہ in Ramadan is equivalent to حج' (Bukhari and Muslim), meaning in reward, though it does not fulfill the حج obligation. The rites of عمرہ are simpler and shorter than حج. The حاجی enters احرام at the designated miqat, makes the intention for عمرہ, and begins reciting the تلبیہ. Upon reaching مسجد الحرام, they perform طواف — seven counterclockwise circuits of the کعبۃ اللہ. After طواف, they pray two rak'ah behind مقام ابراہیم and drink زمزم water. They then proceed to the Mas'a to perform sa'i — seven traversals between Safa and Marwa. Finally, men shave their heads completely (halq) or trim their hair short (taqsir), and women cut a fingertip's length from their hair. With this, the حاجی exits the state of احرام and the عمرہ is complete. The entire process can be completed in two to four hours depending on crowd conditions. Regarding its legal status, the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools consider عمرہ واجب (wajib) once in a lifetime, while the Hanafi and Maliki schools classify it as a highly emphasized Sunnah (Sunnah mu'akkadah). All schools agree on its immense spiritual merit. نبی کریم said, 'From one عمرہ to the next is an expiation for whatever sins come in between' (Bukhari and Muslim). There is no limit to how many times a person may perform عمرہ, and many residents of Saudi Arabia perform it frequently.