One of a Muslim’s duties, as stated in the Five Pillars of Islam, is to go on Haj pilgrimage once during his or her lifetime. The Haj to Makkah is an obligation upon male and female adults whose health and financial situations permit it, or, in the words of the Quran, upon ‘those who can make their way there.’ It is not an obligation for children, though some children do accompany their parents on this journey.
Before setting out, a pilgrim should redress all wrongs, pay all debts, plan to have enough funds for his own journey and for the maintenance of his family while he is away, and prepare himself for good conduct throughout the Haj.
The pilgrimage takes place each year between the 8th and the 13th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar. Its first rite is the donning of the ihram.
The ihram, worn by men, is a white seamless garment made up of two pieces of cloth or towelling; one covers the body from waist to ankle and the other is thrown over the shoulder. Women generally wear a simple dress and a headcovering, but not a face veil. Men’s heads must be uncovered.
The ihram indicates the equality of all people in the eyes of God. When the pilgrim wears his white apparel, he or she enters into a state of purity that prohibits quarrelling, committing violence to man or animal and having conjugal relations.
Haj and Umrah: what is the difference?
1. Haj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and it is mandatory for everyone who is physically and financially able to perform it once in a lifetime. Umrah is not obligatory.
2. Haj must be performed in the prescribed time period, the major rites are done in the first two weeks of Dhu Al Hijjah. Umrah, however, can be done any time of the year.
3. Umrah involves only the rites of Tawaf and Sa’i with ihram; whereas Haj involves staying in Mina, performing the rite of wuquf (standing) in the plains of Arafat, staying in Muzdalifah, and pelting the stone pillars, as well as sacrifice. Umrah, however, does not involve any of these.
Before setting out, a pilgrim should redress all wrongs, pay all debts, plan to have enough funds for his own journey and for the maintenance of his family while he is away, and prepare himself for good conduct throughout the Haj.
The pilgrimage takes place each year between the 8th and the 13th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar. Its first rite is the donning of the ihram.
The ihram, worn by men, is a white seamless garment made up of two pieces of cloth or towelling; one covers the body from waist to ankle and the other is thrown over the shoulder. Women generally wear a simple dress and a headcovering, but not a face veil. Men’s heads must be uncovered.
The ihram indicates the equality of all people in the eyes of God. When the pilgrim wears his white apparel, he or she enters into a state of purity that prohibits quarrelling, committing violence to man or animal and having conjugal relations.
Haj and Umrah: what is the difference?
1. Haj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and it is mandatory for everyone who is physically and financially able to perform it once in a lifetime. Umrah is not obligatory.
2. Haj must be performed in the prescribed time period, the major rites are done in the first two weeks of Dhu Al Hijjah. Umrah, however, can be done any time of the year.
3. Umrah involves only the rites of Tawaf and Sa’i with ihram; whereas Haj involves staying in Mina, performing the rite of wuquf (standing) in the plains of Arafat, staying in Muzdalifah, and pelting the stone pillars, as well as sacrifice. Umrah, however, does not involve any of these.
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