Introduction to Umrah – The Importance of Performing Umrah

Umrah holds a special value and provides a spiritual purity to every Muslim who performs it. However, unlike Hajj it is not an obligation for a person, it is actually Sunnat-e-Muwaqada (highly recommended). Umrah was first performed by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) twice in his lifetime.

Umrah resembles Hajj on many levels and is often called a “minor Hajj”. In fact, a pilgrim needs to perform Umrah before starting the rituals for Hajj but it can be performed anytime during the year. There are innumerable virtues of doing Umrah correctly.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “The accepted Hajj & Umrah has no other rewards, except Paradise.” He further said, “Umrah is expiation for the sins committed between it and the next, and Hajj, which is accepted will receive no other reward than Paradise.”

Umrah is an act of spiritual purity for a Muslim who wants to perform it and earn the pleasure of Allah (SWT). It is a way to purify the mind and soul, and provides the religious inspiration of a lifetime. Allah (SWT) gives a reward for every good deed performed in his way and when a believer spends his time and wealth for His sake, He saves him from mishap and misery. Blessings of performing Umrah are immense.

According to a Hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas (RA), Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said,

“Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively; for they remove poverty and sin as bellows removes impurity from iron.”

One of the other benefits of performing Umrah is that a pilgrim also gets a chance to visit Madinah- the city of our beloved Prophet (pbuh), and do ziyarat of all the places related to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his companions including Mosque Quba, Masjid-e-Nabawi and Jannat-ul-Baqi.

Now that you have made up your mind to perform Umrah, you should acknowledge the nature of the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon you and how fortunate you are to be called to the House of Allah. Be grateful for the opportunity that occurred in time and you are able to afford it.