Umrah العمرة

Overview

Umrah (عُمْرَة) is the "lesser pilgrimage" to Mecca, consisting of tawaf around the Kaaba, sa'i between Safa and Marwa, and the shaving or shortening of the hair, all performed in a state of إِحْرَام (ihram). Unlike Hajj, Umrah may be performed at any time of the year and lacks the standing at Arafat and the rites at Mina.

Etymology

The term derives from the root ع-م-ر, meaning "to visit" or "to populate" — a sense related to the visitor enlivening the sacred precinct with worship. Ibn al-Qayyim notes the word's connection to 'imarah, the maintenance and inhabiting of the Sacred Mosque, as expressed in Surah At-Tawbah 9:18.

Quranic references

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:196 — 'And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah.'

وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:158 — 'Indeed, Safa and Marwa 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.' Surah Al-Fath 48:27 — 'You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened, not fearing [anyone].' Surah Al-Imran 3:97 — 'And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House — for whoever is able to find thereto a way.'

Hadith and tradition

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: "An Umrah to another Umrah is an expiation for whatever is between them, and an accepted Hajj has no reward but Paradise." — Sahih al-Bukhari 1773, Sahih Muslim 1349

Aishah asked the Prophet ﷺ about jihad for women, and he said: "For them is the best jihad — an accepted Hajj" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1520). The Prophet ﷺ also said: "Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to a Hajj" (Sunan Ibn Majah 2994, graded Sahih by al-Albani).

Significance

Umrah is a flexible, lifelong opportunity to renew one's covenant with Allah at the House of Ibrahim. While not one of the five pillars, it is strongly recommended (and is held obligatory once in a lifetime by the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools). The Prophet ﷺ himself performed four Umrahs, including the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah excursion and the Umrah of Qada'. The rite cultivates tawhid, repentance, and longing for the qiblah at the heart of Muslim life.

See also

• Hajj
• Tawaf
• Sa'i
• Zamzam
• The Kaaba

References

1. Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim, commentary on Surah Al-Baqarah 2:196.
2. al-Qurtubi, al-Jami li-Ahkam al-Quran, on the rulings of Umrah.
3. al-Nawawi, al-Majmu Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, Kitab al-Hajj wa al-Umrah.
4. Ibn al-Qayyim, Zad al-Ma'ad fi Hady Khayr al-Ibad, chapter on the Prophet's ﷺ Umrahs.