Umrah is among many acts of worship, and it is considered a minor pilgrimage. Every Muslim desires to visit the Holy Ka’abah in Masjid Al-Haram, Makkah. Just like any Ibadah, we refresh our faith, seek repentance for our sins, and strengthen our connection with the Almighty.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, and every Muslim must observe fast in the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is said to be the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims observe mandatory fasts from dawn to sunset while exercising self-control, maximizing their acts of worship, and practicing Islamic principles more obediently throughout the month. The first few revelations of the Holy Quran were revealed in this holy month. It’s also said that the blessings you receive by the worship done in this month are multiplied by the Grace of Allah (SWT).
These two worships’ amalgamation brings a bounty of happiness and blessings from Allah (SWT). For Muslims around the globe, Umrah serves a unique purpose because it’s regarded as an act of purity and spiritual worship. Even though it is a minor pilgrimage, it’s not fardh upon Muslims to perform Umrah, unlike Hajj. Performing Umrah moreover pleases Almighty just like any Ibadah because it’s a practice of Sunnah.
If we pay attention to the practices of Sunnah, it’s no less than a way of life. Let us ponder over this verse of the Quran; it encourages you to exercise any practice of the Prophet’s (SAW) Sunnah:
Translation of Verse 31, Surah Al-e-Imran: Say (O Prophet): “If you really love Allah (SWT), then follow me, and Allah (SWT) shall love you and forgive your sins. Allah (SWT) is Most-forgiving, Very-Merciful.”
This verse is enough to encourage and inspire Muslims to start following the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and gain the love and blessings of Allah (SWT).
Possibly the most exciting and most significant benefit of performing Umrah in Ramadan is the blessing of being the guest of the generous Allah (SWT) himself. Pilgrims often talk about certain calmness they feel as soon as they step inside and stay throughout the Pilgrimage in Makkah.
In Hadith No. 2626, Abu Hurairah narrates that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said – “The guests of Allah (SWT) are three: The Ghazi (i.e., the warrior who fights in Jihad), the Hajj (i.e., the pilgrim who performs Hajj) and the Mu’tamir (i.e., the pilgrim performing Umrah).
(Image: sunnah.com)
Not many people know about this beautiful fact, and the importance of Umrah in Ramadan is that one can eliminate poverty. It is said that Allah (SWT) gifts wealth to the pilgrims to reimburse for the money they spent on this arduous spiritual journey of Umrah. According to Ibn Abbas, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said – “Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively; for they remove poverty and sin as bellows removes impurity from iron.”
One beautiful benefit of performing Umrah is the probability of seeking forgiveness for our mortal sins. Here, one can cleanse their soul by performing Umrah piously. In Hadith No. 2630, Abu Hurairah narrates that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said – “From one Umrah to another is expiation for what comes in between, and ‘Hajj Al-Mabrur’ brings no reward less than Paradise.”
Another notable advantage and importance of Umrah in Ramadan are that it strengthens our Iman, and performing Umrah reaffirms the pilgrim’s faith in the almighty Allah (SWT). As per a hadith, Ibn-e-Maajah explained that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said – “The performers of Hajj and Umrah are deputations of Allah (SWT) Almighty. If they call Him, He answers them, and if they seek His forgiveness, He forgives them.”
Al-Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to a woman from among the Ansaar – Ibn ‘Abbaas mentioned her name but I forgot it – “What kept you from performing Hajj with us?” She said: We only have two camels and the father of her son and her son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left us the other camel so that we could carry water on it. He said: “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in (that month) is equivalent to Hajj.”
In another Hadith, narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas (Radhiallāhu ‘anhu):
(Image: Sunnah.com)
When the Prophet (Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) returned after performing his hajj, he asked Umm Sinan Al-Ansari, “What did forbid you to perform hajj?” She replied, “Father of so-and-so (i.e. her husband) had two camels and he performed hajj on one of them, and the second is used for the irrigation of our land.”
Prophet of Allah (Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) said (to her), “Perform umrah in the month of ramadan, (as it is equivalent to hajj or hajj with me (in reward).”
[ Sahih Bukhari – Book 29, Hadith 86 ]
Jihad is undoubtedly the highest form of worship and a noble act of sacrifice in Islam. Another significant hadith Umm Ma’qil narrated that: that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said – “Perform Umrah in the month of Ramadan, (as it is equivalent to Hajj or Hajj with me (in reward).”
Lastly, the reward for performing Umrah in Ramadan is considered to be similar to that of the Hajj. However, it is essential to note that this does not replace the obligatory Hajj in any way, and even when it is not fardh, Muslims must try to perform Umrah.
We hope and wish that Muslims throughout the globe get the opportunity and permission from Allah (SWT) to perform Umrah in Ramadan and gain plenty of blessings from Allah (SWT) in the Holy month.
Sara Travel with more than 25 years of experience organizing Hajj and Umrah Tours for Pilgrims aims to be one of the oldest and finest travel agencies in New York, US. This year we present 3 Umrah Packages in Ramadan split in between the 3 Ahra’h of Ramadan.
1. Ramadan 2022 Umrah Package – 1st Ashra’h of 10 Ramadan
2. Ramadan 2022 Umrah Package – 2nd Ashra’h of Ramadan
3. Ramadan 2022 Umrah Package – 3rd Ashra’h of Ramdan with Eid in Makkah