Hajj vs Umrah: What Is the Difference Between Hajj and Umrah?
Hajj and Umrah are both pilgrimages to Makkah, and they share several of the same acts of worship. This is why they are often mentioned together, and why many people ask whether they are the same. They are not. Hajj and Umrah differ in their status in Islam, when they can be performed, the rites involved and how long they take. This article explains the difference between Hajj and Umrah, what they have in common and how they can be combined.
The rulings (masa’il) in this article follow the Hanafi school. They are taken from fatwas published by Dar-ul-Ifta Ahlesunnat (Dawat-e-Islami), which are listed with links in the Sources section below. This article is a general guide and is not itself a fatwa. If you have a question about your own situation, please ask a qualified scholar.
What Is Hajj?
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is obligatory once in a lifetime for every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able to make the journey.
Hajj takes place on fixed days each year, from the 8th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Its rites take place in Makkah and the nearby sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. The heart of Hajj is the Day of Arafah, when pilgrims stand in prayer and supplication on the plain of Arafat.
What Is Umrah?
Umrah is a pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year. It is often called the “lesser pilgrimage”. It consists of entering ihram, Tawaf around the Kaaba, Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and shaving or shortening the hair. For a full introduction, see our Umrah guide.
The Difference Between Hajj and Umrah
| Hajj | Umrah | |
|---|---|---|
| Obligation | A pillar of Islam, obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are able | Sunnah Mu’akkadah (an emphasised Sunnah) once in a lifetime for those who are able (Hanafi school) |
| Timing | Fixed days each year, 8th–13th Dhul Hijjah | Any time of the year, except that entering ihram for Umrah from the 9th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah is not permitted (Hanafi school) |
| Rites | Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, standing at Arafat, a night at Muzdalifah, stoning the Jamarat in Mina, sacrifice for some pilgrims, and shaving or shortening the hair | Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, and shaving or shortening the hair |
| Duration | Around five to six days of rites | Usually a few hours |
Obligation
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside the declaration of faith, prayer, zakat and fasting in Ramadan. Every Muslim who meets the conditions of ability must perform it once in their lifetime. In the Hanafi school, Umrah is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (an emphasised Sunnah) once in a lifetime for a person who is able to perform it. It becomes wajib if a person has made a vow to perform it.
Timing
Hajj can only be performed during its set days in Dhul Hijjah. Umrah has no fixed season and can be performed throughout the year, although some periods, such as Ramadan, are especially busy. In the Hanafi school, entering ihram for Umrah between the 9th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah is makruh tahrimi (impermissible and sinful).
Rites
Umrah has four main acts: ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, and shaving or shortening the hair. Hajj includes these acts and several more. Pilgrims spend time in Mina, stand at Arafat on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, spend the night at Muzdalifah, stone the Jamarat in Mina, offer a sacrifice in certain types of Hajj, and perform further Tawaf.
Duration
The rites of Umrah usually take a few hours, depending on crowds. The rites of Hajj take place over around five to six days, and pilgrims usually spend longer in Saudi Arabia overall.
What Hajj and Umrah Have in Common
Although they are different pilgrimages, Hajj and Umrah share several acts of worship:
- Ihram: both begin by entering the state of ihram at or before the miqat.
- Talbiyah: pilgrims recite the Talbiyah in both.
- Tawaf: walking seven times around the Kaaba.
- Sa’i: walking seven times between Safa and Marwah.
- Shaving or shortening the hair: this marks the end of the main restrictions of ihram.
For a step-by-step explanation of these acts and the duas recited during them, see our guide to Umrah rituals and duas.
Is Umrah the Same as Hajj?
No. Umrah and Hajj are separate acts of worship with different rulings, timings and rites, even though some of their acts are the same.
Does Umrah Count as Hajj?
No. Performing Umrah, even more than once, does not fulfil the obligation of Hajj. A Muslim who is able to perform Hajj still needs to do so, whether or not they have performed Umrah.
Can Hajj and Umrah Be Performed Together?
Yes. Hajj can be performed in three ways, two of which include Umrah:
- Tamattu’: the pilgrim performs Umrah during the months of Hajj, leaves ihram, and then enters ihram again for Hajj. A sacrifice in thanks is wajib, and it must be offered within the Haram.
- Qiran: the pilgrim enters ihram for Umrah and Hajj together and stays in ihram until the rites of Hajj are complete. A sacrifice in thanks is wajib, and it must be offered within the Haram.
- Ifrad: the pilgrim enters ihram for Hajj only, without Umrah. The sacrifice is not wajib, but it is mustahab (recommended).
Hajj or Umrah: Which Should You Perform First?
Many Muslims perform Umrah before they have the opportunity to perform Hajj. However, once Hajj has become fard on a person, delaying it without a valid Shariah excuse is impermissible and a sin. Performing Umrah, even many times, does not fulfil the obligation of Hajj. If you are unsure how this applies to your situation, ask a qualified scholar.
Hajj vs Umrah FAQs
Can you perform Umrah during the Hajj season?
In the Hanafi school, entering ihram for Umrah between the 9th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah is makruh tahrimi (impermissible and sinful) for everyone, whether or not they are performing Hajj. If someone entered ihram before these days, performing the Umrah during them is not a sin, although it is better to wait until they have passed. Separately, Umrah permits are usually paused for a period around the Hajj season, and the dates can change from year to year. If you are planning Umrah close to Dhul Hijjah, check the latest information on the Nusuk platform. See our Umrah visa guide for more on visas and permits. For a detailed breakdown of seasons and timing, see our guide on the best time for Umrah.
Can you perform Hajj without Umrah?
Yes. In Hajj al-Ifrad, the pilgrim performs Hajj only, without Umrah.
Is Hajj more demanding than Umrah?
Generally, yes. Hajj involves more rites over several days, travel between Makkah, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, and very large crowds. Umrah is shorter and can be planned around your own dates.
Do men and women perform Hajj and Umrah differently?
The rites are largely the same, with some differences. Men wear two unstitched sheets, while women wear their usual clothes. Men must not cover the head, while women must cover the head but keep the face uncovered. Women recite the Talbiyah quietly, do not perform ramal or idtiba in Tawaf, walk at a normal pace in Sa’i, and only shorten the hair (taqsir) rather than shaving. These are explained in our guide to Umrah rituals and duas.
Sources
The rulings (masa’il) in this article are taken from the following fatwas of Dar-ul-Ifta Ahlesunnat (Dawat-e-Islami), published on FatwaQA. English fatwas are listed first; the others are in Urdu.
- Can You Perform Umrah During the Days of Hajj? (OKR-0148)
- Delaying Hajj despite it being Fard
- Status of Umrah (Web-1286)
- When Umrah is Sunnah and when wajib
- Umrah is Sunnah Mu’akkadah
- حج کے دنوں میں عمرہ کرنا کیسا؟ (OKR-0148)
- Which Hajj requires a sacrifice? (FSD-9972)
- Sacrifice in Hajj al-Ifrad
- Delaying fard Hajj
- Umrah does not replace fard Hajj (WAT-3895)
- Differences between men and women in Hajj and Umrah
Planning Your Umrah
If you are planning Umrah, we can help with hotels in Makkah and Madinah, transport and ziyarat. Tell us your travel dates, the number of travellers and the services you need, and we will prepare a quote.