Umrah pilgrimage is a Sunnah Ibadah of Holy Prophet (SAWW). Any Muslim, whether able or not, is not entitled to perform Umrah rituals necessarily.
Pilgrims booking Cheap Umrah Packages and travelling for the holy rituals are completely doing it out of personal preferences. There’s no religious obligation for it like Hajj. If a Muslim wants to travel for Umrah, he/she must fulfil certain conditions. Such as;
- Being a Muslim.
- Having the financial resources to afford all of Umrah expenses. For example, return flights, hotel accommodation, visa, health and dining expenses.
- Being of sound health; physically and mentally.
- Having no travel or political restrictions in between.
Here’s what you need to know about the obligation of Umrah for all Muslim.
Voluntary Pilgrimage
Umrah is not an obligatory pilgrimage but a voluntary Ibadah. The fact that Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) performed four Umrah, speaks for the significance it holds. Yet, any Muslim performing Umrah rituals is doing it completely out of respect and devotion to the Sunnah act.
Though voluntary, Umrah holds similar rewards of Hajj pilgrimage. In fact, all of the rituals of Umrah pilgrimage are also a part of Hajj pilgrimage. That’s why Umrah is often referred to as minor/lesser form of Hajj pilgrimage.
The voluntary status of Umrah allows Muslims to offer the holy rituals anytime of the year. You can travel throughout the year and perform Umrah rituals in Makkah but not during the Hajj days. Even when in Haram, every pilgrim has to offer Umrah rituals individually. There are no collective rituals, each person is performing the rites at a speed and pace that best suits his/her needs.
Any Muslim even if he has the physical, financial and mental resources to afford Umrah is not obliged to perform it. In fact, if someone does not offer holy rituals of Umrah despite having the means for it, it’s not a sinful act. However, considering the higher rewards and status it holds, such Muslims should travel for Umrah rituals. It’s a recommended act but not an obligation.
Is Umrah Equivalent to Hajj in Ramadan?
Umrah performance with last 10 days Family Ramadan Umrah Packages holds great significance. During this holy month, Allah Almighty increases the rewards for good deeds performed by the believers. As a result, Umrah performance becomes equivalent to Hajj (narrated in hadith). However, a lot of people confuse Umrah performance in Ramadan to suffice for their Hajj pilgrimage. The concept is totally wrong. Umrah in Ramadan does not full your Hajj obligation; it is only the reward that is equivalent.
If you haven’t performed Hajj already and remain able for it, the obligation of Hajj persists for you.
Can Umrah replace Hajj?
No, Umrah performance with Umrah Packages 2025cannot replace Hajj for you.
The first thing you need to understand is that Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage while Hajj is the obligatory pilgrimage. Secondly, Hajj is obligatory for every Muslim who possess the financial, physical and mental resources for it. Otherwise it’s a sinful act. While for Umrah, there’s no obligation for a Muslim offer holy rituals despite having the means for it.
So, Umrah and hajj are two separate pilgrimages. The former one is Sunnah while the latter one is obligatory. Know of the difference. Performing Umrah rituals will never suffice for your hajj obligation under any circumstance.
Umrah on behalf of others
It is permissible to perform Umrah on behalf of other people. However, know that one Umrah would only suffice for one person. For example, if you want to offer Umrah rituals on behalf of two other people as well then;
- First Umrah would be for yourself.
- Second Umrah will be for the second person.
- Third Umrah will suffice for the Umrah of third person.
For each Umrah, you have to assume Ihram again from Meeqat station and offer holy rituals separately.
Whether living or deceased, you can do Umrah rituals on behalf of your closed ones. It would earn you rewards equally.
What should be performed first; Umrah or Hajj?
Umrah is a Sunnah pilgrimage, performed voluntarily with last 10 days Family Ramadan Umrah Packages or any other time. However, Hajj is an obligatory pilgrimage as the fifth pillar of Islamic faith performed during 8th to 12th of Dhul Hijjah.
Anyone who has the financial means, physical resources and mental capacity to travel for the pilgrimage must intend for Hajj first. Every pilgrim arriving for Hajj will automatically perform Umrah as part of the holy rituals. On the other hand, if someone is not financially, physically and mentally able for any of the pilgrimage; there’s no obligation for him.
In short, Umrah should be your second priority. Consider Hajj rituals as your first priority and gather financial and physical resources for it as a preference.
