Difference between Hajj and Umrah

Difference between Hajj and Umrah:

For Muslims, traveling to the house of Allah is considered to be one of the biggest journeys of their lifetime. Traveling to the holy land of Makkah and Madina is an obligation for Muslim who can afford to travel. Allah clearly states in the Quran, “And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant” [22:27]. Although most Muslims are aware of the basic knowledge about performing Hajj and Umrah however, some brothers and sisters often question the difference between the two acts of worship. The confusion only seems natural as both obligations require Muslims to travel to Makkah and Madina in order to carry out specific acts of worship for Allah. Traditionally speaking, Al-Raad Tours & Travel offers both Hajj and Umrah packages that contain all the necessary information to enhance your knowledge. Our 2020 premium Hajj and Umrah packages can be easily acquired through our website. Our business operation expands to different parts within the USA including, but not limited to Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, Boston, Seattle, California, and Phoenix.

We believe every Muslim should be equipped with proper knowledge before moving forward with their spiritual journey. Here are some of the primary differences between Hajj and Umrah.

  1. Fardh and Sunnah

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two forms of worship is the value of its sovereignty. Hajj is considered to be one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith. It is fardh for every healthy Muslim who can afford the journey. The Quran clearly states, “In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds” [3:97]. Whereas, on the other end, the act of performing Umrah is a sunnah that was carried out by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). No doubt both these journeys are held in high regard, but when it comes to being obligatory, Hajj is considered to be fardh.

  1. Rituals

Another major difference between the two events is the difference of rituals that are performed. Umrah is relatively easier to perform as Muslims can visit Makkah and Madina throughout most of the year. At the same time, Hajj can only be performed once a year during the month of Zul-Hijjah. Hajj has particular rituals that are to be followed within a span of 5-6 days. And with a larger of people present in the same area, Hajj requires comparatively more effort than Umrah.

  1. Difference in reward

Relating back to the sovereignty of each event, Hajj, carrying more weightage, offers a far greater reward in comparison to Umrah. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) say: “Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not utter any obscene speech or do any evil deed, will go back (free of sin) as his mother bore him.” (Sahih Al Bukhari 1449, Sahih Muslim 1350).

We hope this clarifies the basic understanding of the differences between Hajj and Umrah. For more information, please feel free to contact us at any point in time. Make sure to also visit our website details in order to know about the 2020 Hajj and Umrah packages that are being offered from USA. Jazak’Allah Khair.

Difficulty of Azizia

Difficulty of Azizia

For Muslims, the act of performing Hajj is one which is held in the highest regard. Hajj is considered to be one the five major pillars of Islam. Narrated by Abu Huraira, the prophet of Allah once said, (The performance of) `Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise” (Sahih Al Bukhari 1773). Considering its importance, we find it our duty to provide you with the best Hajj services from USA. Our premium 5 star Hajj packages expands to a wide number of cities including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. At the same time, we also offer cheap hajj packages for those who are confined to a limited budget, thus giving opportunities to everyone to visit the beautiful house of Allah at affordable prices.

As part of our promise to our friends from the USA, we aim to provide services that include proper accommodation and management which will, InshAllah, lead you to perform Hajj in a very respectful manner. In terms of management, one of the key factors is providing correct information to our respected guests in order to avoid any inconveniences during this holy journey.

One of the most frequent questions we receive online is whether staying at Azizia is the same as staying in Makkah. Those who have previously performed hajj might know this already but for those who are willing to take our Hajj package from the USA, the simple answer is no. Staying in Azizia is quite different to staying in Makkah. A lot of agents confuse Hujjaj by claiming that Azizia is a 10-15 minute walk away from Jamarat. This, in itself, is true however, it does not apply in the season of Hajj, as the number of people exponentially rises. In the season of Hajj, a large number of Muslims, from all around the world, gather in a single place in order to submit to the will of the almighty. Because of this reason, there can be a lot of unavoidable traffic congestion, making it difficult to even cross a road. So, even normal 10-15 min journey can easily become an hour to two hours.

Secondly, the accommodations in Makkah are far better than the ones offered in Azizia. Most of the apartments and hotels in Azizia are small, and the facilities that are offered are of low standards. Those Hujjaj that are traveling with their families, especially young children, may find it very difficult to manage. In comparison, the facilities in Makkah are far better as the locals specially prepare it for this spiritual season.

Lastly, traveling from Azizia to Haram is a nightmare. The taxi fare is very high and majority of the time they drop you off midway and make you walk due to traffic congestion and road closures. In addition, it may take you more than an hour to find a taxi to leave Haram and go go to Azizia and you either have to wait a long time for a taxi or walk long distance to find one. As you know, they do not allow Taxi and other vehicles approach the Haram at the time of salat because of the heavy foot traffic and the safety of the hujjaj.

Generally speaking, Hajj is a time of spirituality where all of us come together to seek forgiveness from Allah. Narrated by Abu Huraira, The Prophet of Allah said, “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew” (Sahi Al Bukhari 596). Hence, rather than taking the risk of getting late or missing out on important acts of worship, it is advisable for our friends to avoid booking accommodations in Azizia during this particular season.

 

Before You Go

Before You Go:

Hajj and Umrah are two virtues that are heavily emphasized in the Islamic religion. In the Quran, Allah states “Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs Umrah – there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good – then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing” [2:158]. At Al-Raad Tours & Travel, we offer to provide you with the opportunity to travel to the holy lands of Makkah and Madina through our cheap Hajj and Umrah packages. Our Umrah and Hajj packages are available across all major cities of USA such as Atlanta, Los Angeles New York, Chicago, Detroit, New Jersey, Washington DC, Virginia, and Boston. We offer some of the lowest prices in the entire country and provide 5 star Hajj and Umrah packages for our Muslim brothers and sisters. We consider ourselves to be truly blessed in the sense that Allah has provided us an opportunity to serve those who wish to travel to His home. Being a part of that journey, our passion is to serve everyone included through our premium hajj and Umrah services.

When travelling to the holy land of Makkah and Madina for either Umrah or Hajj, it is best to be prepared beforehand in order to utilize the time by committing most of it towards worship and prayer. Following is a list brought to you by Al-Raad Tours & Travels that is sure to help you prepare for this beautiful journey inshAllah:

  1. Make a list of all the dua’s you intend to make

As soon as news breaks out of you traveling for either Umrah or Hajj, friends and family will come forward to congratulate you as well as place requests to make special dua for them. It is best to note down all of them in list. You can keep that list with you at all times and make all the duas when you reach there.

  1. Pay off all the debts you owe

It is important to note that Umrah is sunnah whereas Hajj is only fardh for those who can afford it and are healthy. Allah specifically says in the Quran, “And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses” [3:197]. Consequently, if you owe money to anyone or are in debt, then focus on repaying them instead, for Allah will surely help you in achieving your desire to visit His holy land.

  1. Plan Ahead

For those brothers and sisters who are traveling with their young children, it is essential to plan ahead before you reach Makkah or Madina. Often, people find it difficult to manage with children as they are not prepared well for it. Thus, make sure to pack all the necessary things which can include:

  • Medication
  • Ihram
  • Extra clothes for children

Additionally, make sure to read the basic guide for performing Hajj and Umrah. This will save you a large amount of time as you will know all the steps that are required to successfully carry out the obligation. May Allah forgive all our sins and accept our prayers, inshaAllah.