Although the Hajj and Umrah are 2 important Islamic religious pilgrimages that are frequently discussed together, their customs, prerequisites, and significance are very different from one another.
To put it simply, Hajj is a longer, more ritualized journey that can only be done during a certain time of year, whereas Umrah is a shorter pilgrimage that may be done at any time. The majority of Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia through cheap umrah packages. Despite being important spiritual journeys that bring you closer to Allah (SWT), they are not the same. So, what exactly distinguishes the Umrah from the Hajj?

Understanding Umrah 

Umrah, commonly referred to as the "minor pilgrimage" or the "lesser pilgrimage," is a more straightforward form of a trip to the sacred city of Makkah. Umrah consists of a few hours' worth of ceremonies that can be completed in a few hours, at any time of year. It is not one of the 5th Pillars of Islam, nor is it a mandatory pilgrimage, even if it is advised. Millions of Muslims still travel this extremely sacred path every year to get nearer to Allah (SWT).

How Does the Umrah Get Done?

After dressing appropriately and entering the holy condition of Ihram, Tawaf and Sa'i are the two most important rites to do when performing Umrah.

Tawaf is held in the Most Holy Mosque of Makkah, Masjid al-Haram, which houses the Ka'aba, the old house of Allah. Muslims circumambulate the Ka'aba 7 times in an anticlockwise fashion at this location.

Sa'i is the ceremonial running and walking between the 2 peaks of Safa and Marwa that takes place after Tawaf. It occurs in honor of Hajar (AS), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, who zealously looked for water for herself and her small son Ismail.

We emulate her to represent the struggles we face daily and the ways that Allah, the Most Gracious, supports and leads us in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

To execute Sa'i, you must begin at Safa and move toward Marwa until you come across a green marker. Then, you must run to another green marker. You then head over to Marwa to finish your first loop. You complete your first loop in Marwa's direction, then turn around and do it back. Sa'i needs seven laps. Men then shave, and women trim a small portion of their hair.

What distinguishes Umrah from Hajj?

The fact that the Hajj is the 5th and last pillar of Islam—though by no means the least significant—may be the most significant distinction between the two sacred pilgrimages, the Umrah and the Hajj. In fact, if they are financially, intellectually, and physically capable of doing so, all Muslims are obliged to make this required pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.

While Umrah can be finished in a single day, Hajj requires five to six days, thus it's a significantly longer process. Umrah is conducted whenever one pleases during the year, but Hajj is performed exclusively on designated days in the Dhul Hijjah of the Islamic month.

Given that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made both the Hajj and the Umrah, these pilgrimages carry similarities in rituals and have the potential to yield numerous benefits, spiritual benefits, and favors from Allah (SWT).

How to Complete the Hajj?

Similar to doing Umrah, the holy Hajj pilgrimage starts with a trip to the Ka'aba for Tawaf and then a back-and-forth between Safa and Marwa for Sa'i. But after these come several noteworthy changes and additional ceremonies.

On the 2nd day of the Hajj, the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, and the Day of Arafah, Muslims travel to Mina to spend the night before proceeding to Mount Arafat. The most sacred day of the year is known as the Day of Arafah. Travelers visit Jabal al-Rahmah, the purported location of Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) final sermon, on this day, and Muslims do Wuquf, the practice of standing in front of Allah.

On the third day of the Rami al-Jamarat, pilgrims return to Mina after visiting Mount Arafat, stopping at Muzdalifah for prayer and a night. Muslims throw stones at the largest of the 3 pillars, which represents the devil, in this location.

The four-day celebration of Eid al-Adha starts on the 3rd day of the yearly Hajj pilgrimage for Muslims. During this time, animals are slaughtered in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim's fidelity to Allah. Giving food from slaughtered animals—recognized as Qurbani or Udhiya—to the less fortunate is one of the most important Hajj rituals. Completing all the necessary rites and performing the Hajj during this pilgrimage can be difficult and physically demanding.

However, Muslims must follow Allah's instructions for him to pardon pilgrims for their previous transgressions. There are some notable differences between the Hajj and the Umrah, although they are both spiritual journeys to Makkah with similar ceremonies.

Umrah is a fast, voluntary pilgrimage that can be done at any moment of the year via Book December Umrah packages to obtain blessings. All Muslims are required to perform the Hajj, a significant journey that entails additional ceremonies, ideally once in their entire lives.