In order to make any trip successful and fruitful, it is really important to decide the right time to travel. Knowing the ins and outs of the best time to travel to a particular city or country helps you make the right decisions. However, when it comes to a holy trip like Umrah, you can plan it any time of the year except the days of Hajj. Many people plan their Umrah just before Hajj, as it promises fewer crowds, lower travel and accommodation rates.
This is the reason that many people prefer to perform Umrah during their Hajj journey. The duration of a Hajj trip is quite long, providing you ample time to go for Umrah after coming to Saudi Arabia. An important thing to note here is that the Saudi government stops giving Umrah visas almost a month before the Hajj. Starting from late Dhul Qadah till the Hajj ends, pilgrims that are in the country with a Hajj visa can only perform Umrah. If you want to go for Umrah before the Hajj season begins, make sure you select your Umrah package carefully. In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about performing Umrah before Hajj.
What is the Difference Between Hajj and Umrah?
Let us do a quick recap of where the major difference between Hajj and Umrah lies. Before we start our discussion on finding the best time to perform Umrah, we must know that Hajj is an obligatory act of worship that is mandatory for a Muslim who is financially, physically, and mentally fit. It takes place annually in the month of Zil Hajj only, starting from the 8th and ending on the 13th of the holy month. Along with tawaf and sa’i, it also includes the rituals performed at Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. On the other hand, Umrah is not an obligatory act of worship and can be performed at any time of the year. Unlike Hajj, any Muslim, regardless of their financial status, can perform it when they see fit. It only includes the major rituals of wearing Ihram, doing tawaf & sa’I, and halq.
Can a Muslim Perform Umrah Before Hajj in the Same Year?
The answer is yes. Islam allows performing Umrah before Hajj, even if a pilgrim wants to do them both in the same year. We can further strengthen our argument by taking the example of our Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), who also performed Umrah before Hajj. Such a type of Umrah is called Umrah al Tamattu which is performed during the months Shawal, Zil Hajj, and Zil Qadah. In this state, a pilgrim wears the Ihram to perform Umrah, then he re-enters the state of Ihram to perform Hajj later on. In this way, a pilgrim gets to reap the benefits of two worships in one journey.
What is the Best Time to Perform Umrah Before Hajj?
Many people dream of planning their holy trip in such a way that they perform Umrah and Hajj in one go. This is possible, as such a chance holds great value for the Muslims. So whosoever will make this decision, he must prepare himself for two pilgrims, a lesser one, Umrah, and the greater one, the Hajj. The best time to take up this combined holy trip is right after the holy month of Shawwal begins. Ideally speaking, if you perform Umrah just before the Hajj, it sets the tone for the bigger experience of Hajj and gives you a chance to know the rituals and get along well with fellow pilgrims. If you plan to take up this combined journey with your loved ones, you must review the details of the Family Umrah Packages that offer such services.
How Much Gap Should There Be Between Hajj and Umrah?
To date, there have not been any rules defined that can tell us about the ideal gap between the two rituals. As per the authentic resources, a pilgrim can exit the state of Ihram after completing the Umrah and can enjoy the festivities normally. As the time approaches for the Hajj, he can re-enter the state of Ihram with an intention of performing Hajj. Typically, pilgrims enter the state of Ihram on the 8th of the Zil Hajj. Many pilgrims, who want to combine the two acts of worship, usually arrive in Mecca in late Shawwal or Zil Qadah. They perform Umrah, rest, worship, and then set out to prepare for the big days of Hajj. These few days in between the two worships help the body and mind to recover.
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Perks of Doing Umrah Before Hajj
There are many perks of doing Umrah and Hajj in one trip. Umrah acts as a warm-up for the Hajj and also prepares you mentally for the greater pilgrimage in a timely manner. You get used to the rituals, learn how to manage crowds, and find easy ways to reach the holy sites while doing Umrah. Moreover, Hajj is a more physically demanding act of worship than Umrah at the same time.
Moreover, Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) has called Umrah a soul-cleansing act. He said that “Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one.” This hadith shows that when a Muslim’s heart gets cleaned of previous sins, he can start the Hajj with a purified soul.
In addition, Muslims have ample time to roam in Mecca and Madinah. This combined holy trip allows the pilgrims to spend more time in the holy cities. Meanwhile, they can connect deeply with Allah, spend more time in the Haram, indulge in extra prayers, and visit sacred sites more often. Last but not least, after doing Umrah, Muslims get enough time to reflect and recharge for Hajj. The gap between the two worships gives them a chance to use the time for spiritual reflection and acts of charity.
Wrap Up
If any of you plan to do Umrah before Hajj, it is a great start to an enriching spiritual journey. As you embark on Umrah and set your first foot in the sacred city of Mecca, your soul and body get naturally stirred for the biggest worship, like Hajj. Whatever the time you choose to perform Umrah, just be sure of one thing: to set your intention right. Popularly, pilgrims book the Hajj & Umrah packages in the months of Shawwal, Zil Qadah, and the first week of Zil Hajj to get a combined holy spirit. So, if you are ready to plan your trip, you can contact Muslims Holy Travel and get All-inclusive Umrah Packages to have a smooth and meaningful holy pilgrimage. It is a leading tour operator in the UK that has been in service for more than a decade now.
