What Is Umrah? The Lesser Pilgrimage

Umrah (Arabic: العمرة) is pronounced UM-rah. The word carries the sense of “visiting” a place that is alive with worship.

Meaning

Umrah is a pilgrimage to the Sacred Mosque in Mecca, often called the “lesser pilgrimage”. The Qur’an mentions it together with Hajj (Qur’an 2:196). Its main steps are:

1. Ihram — entering a state of consecration with an intention; men wear two simple white cloths, women wear modest everyday clothing.
2. Tawaf — walking seven times around the Kaaba in worship.
3. Sa’y — walking seven times between the small hills of Safa and Marwah, remembering Hagar’s search for water for her baby Ishmael.
4. Cutting the hair — men shave or shorten their hair; women trim a small amount.

Umrah and Hajj

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, required once in a lifetime of every adult Muslim who is able, and it takes place only on set days each year. Umrah is shorter, can be done in any month, and is strongly recommended rather than a pillar (scholars differ on whether it is required once in a lifetime). Many Muslims go especially in Ramadan.

The Prophet ﷺ spoke of its spiritual reward:

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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

Example

“We’re going for umrah in the spring — please remember us in your prayers.”

To learn about the greater pilgrimage, read Hajj and The Five Pillars.