Cheap Umrah packages make the pilgrimage seamless and efficient. While you are going to earn the divine blessings, we will cover you all the way from your pre-travel planning to the final takeoff from Mecca.
Both the Hajj and Umrah are religious tours to Saudi Arabia to perform rituals at specific sites in Mecca. Both are undertaken by Muslims to earn immense spiritual merits.
However, sometimes spoken of mistakenly, Hajj and Umrah are two different pilgrimages with a varying purpose of visit, significance, duration, performance, and religious nature.
Hence, how does Umrah differ from Hajj? Which one you should choose depending on budget limitations? How to choose the best affordable Umrah deals and Hajj packages? Here is a comprehensive guide covering your concerns about the pilgrimages.
What Is The Difference Between Hajj And Umrah?
Visiting Mecca to perform Hajj and Umrah is a symbolic act of worship showing the spirit and love of pilgrims. It’s a highly admirable practice in Islam that Muslims leave their routine tasks to make the pilgrimage happen.
The desire to visit the sacred Kaaba is a part of the believer’s nature. However, the decision to get started with the pilgrimage begins with an understanding of both the Hajj and Umrah. So, let’s compare each to end up knowing which one is your go-to option right now.
Below you’ll also get an idea of how to arrange a pilgrimage with cheap Umrah packages, the #1 Umrah travel agency in the UK.
Hajj vs Umrah
Hajj is an annual gathering of Muslims in Mecca during the last Islamic month fostering the sense of humility, unity, and brotherhood. Around two billion of Muslims from more than 188 countries gather to perform Hajj wearing the same clothes, doing the same rituals, and reciting Talbiyah.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory to perform once in a life for every Muslim who can do it and can afford it.
However, Umrah is an all-time gathering of Muslims around the Kaaba aiming to please Allah during days other than Hajj. An Umrah pilgrimage is not an obligatory practice in Islam yet highly recommended by the Holy Prophet who performed it four times.
It’s a voluntary effort of believers who want to gain divine mercy and seek forgiveness for their sins. It’s also a popular choice among the Muslim community due to its affordable nature and shorter duration.
Key Rituals
Performing the pilgrimage needs a sincere focus on the purpose of each act to complete it the right way. Therefore, we make your spiritual journey enriching and peaceful with a cheap 4 Star 7 Nights Umrah package you can opt to fulfill a hassle-free pilgrimage.
Both the Hajj and Umrah have some rituals in common like doing Tawaf, walking between Safa and Marwa, and cutting or shaving hair as a sign of getting out of Ihram.
However, Hajj has some additional rituals to perform at specific holy landmarks such as staying in Mina, performing Wuquf in the plain of Arafat, spending the night at Muzdalifah, and throwing stones at the Jamarat. Hajj also involves sacrificing the animals developing inner gratitude about the completion of the major pilgrimage.
Duration And Complexity
The Hajj lasts for about five to six days in Mecca while performing specific rites and rituals during each day. The time to perform each act is highly specific and fixed for everyone. It’s a longer pilgrimage involving multiple rituals to perform correctly.
On the other side, an Umrah is a shorter pilgrimage you can complete in a few hours. There is no time restriction to perform Umrah as you can plan the Umrah pilgrimage anytime in the year and anytime during the day. It also involves simpler and fewer rituals to perform near the Kaaba, unlike Hajj.
Cost Of Pilgrimage
The cost of Hajj and Umrah varies depending on factors such as the country in which you live, the type of package you tend to choose, the time of the year, and other preferences. Keeping in mind all the pilgrimage essentials, we design all-inclusive cheap Umrah packages to accommodate your unique needs.
As Hajj is a longer pilgrimage involving multiple rituals, it requires more transportation and accommodation expenses than Umrah. The Hajj season is a peak travel period of the year increasing the prices of flights, hotels, and other services.
On the other hand, Umrah is a flexible journey you can plan anytime. It involves fewer rituals and fewer transportation expenses that you can also arrange independently. To facilitate your pilgrimage needs, there are also a variety of Hajj and Umrah packages available. Go and explore our affordable Umrah deals to book your pilgrimage now.
Frequency And Significance
Performing Hajj is not mandatory for Muslims until they are able to perform it both financially and physically. If capable, one can perform Hajj once in the year. However, successfully completing Hajj is a significant accomplishment in Islam bringing manifold rewards in the afterlife.
On the other side, Umrah can be performed as many times as you wish. Similarly, performing Umrah is a source of spiritual renewal and purification. It also brings pilgrims closer to Allah.
On the other side, Umrah can be performed as many times as you wish. Similarly, performing Umrah is a source of spiritual renewal and purification. It also brings pilgrims closer to Allah.
To conclude, Hajj and Umrah are two different pilgrimages that have their own perks and planning aspects. So, it’s all up to you whether you are able to perform Hajj or want to book cheap Umrah packages.