Can you do Umrah anytime?

Umrah means a visit to the Kaaba (Holy House of God) in Arabic, and one can perform it at any time of the year. Unlike the Hajj, which is an obligatory pilgrimage to Makkah, it is performed every year during the first 10 days of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah.

What is Umrah?

Umrah refers to a visit to the Kaaba (God's holy house) and can be performed by any Muslim at any time during the year. In Islamic terms, Umrah means circumambulation of the Kaaba and Sa'ee in the state of Ihram between the hills of Safa and Marwah.

What is the purpose of Umrah?

The primary purpose of performing Umrah is to connect with Allah, gain His pleasure, and collect numerous rewards associated with the act of worship. Whoever proceeds with this spiritual journey purifies his body, heart, soul, and mind of his past sins.

Can you perform Umrah on the days of Hajj?

It is permissible to perform Umrah on all days of the year, even during the months of Hajj. If a person does this during the months of Hajj and then performs Hajj in the same year, it is called Umrah and Tamattu for Hajj. If he does it with Hajj, then he is doing the Qirran and combining Hajj and Umrah. It is obligatory for those who are performing Tamattu and the Qirran to offer the sacrifice(Hadiya) of an animal that is acceptable if he is not a resident of Makkah. If a pilgrim performs Umrah in Dhu al-Hijjah after the days of Tashriq, it is permissible and there is no need for Hadiya.

If one of you performing Umrah with Hajj then he should book Hajj Packages rather than Umrah Package. 

History of Umrah

In the early days of Islam, tensions between Muslims and infidels in Makkah rose steadily, preventing the former from performing Hajj in the city. In 628 CE (6 AH), Muslims travelled from Madinah to Makkah, when the Prophet saw Muslims performing Umrah.

However, he was refused entry by the Quraysh tribe, and the Prophet refused to force his way into the holy place out of respect for the Kaaba. Diplomatic negotiations took place between the two sides, culminating in the Treaty of Hudaybiyah, which promised 10 years free from hostilities, and three days of annual access to the Kaaba.

In the following Hijri year, the Prophet, peace be upon him, accompanied 2,000 Muslims, men, women and children, to Makkah, where they performed what would become the first Umrah in Islam.

Importance of Umrah

Umrah is considered by many to be the "Minor Hajj", while Hajj is considered the "Major Hajj". It is a Sunnah, not a Wajib, and Muslims are advised to try to perform it not once but as many times as they can in their lifetime.

Islamic Hajj and Umrah are the worships of Allah, which is a Sunnah practice. It is also known as “Ordinary Hajj”. Muslims can perform minor Hajj throughout the year. Therefore, Muslims should try to select the Umrah Packages section on any Umrah Agency Website to book their travel package regarding Umrah. However, it is not as obligatory as Hajj, but it brings great rewards to Muslims. 

Millions of Muslims gather in the Kaaba to get close to Allah. For Muslims, Umrah is a joyful process that gives them a sense of importance in this life and the hereafter. Umrah in Islam is a way of expressing love and respect for one another by removing all signs of pride, wealth and social status. Pilgrims wear a simple and pure white garment called Ihram, which Muslims wear during Umrah.