The Umrah is a pilgrimage to
Mecca performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any
time of the year. It is sometimes called the 'minor
pilgrimage' or 'lesser pilgrimage', the Hajj being the
'major' pilgrimage and which is compulsory for every
able-bodied Muslim who can afford it. According to some
schools of Islamic thought, the Umrah is not compulsory but
highly recommended. |
|
 |
|
|
There are only minor
differences between the first part of the hajj and the entire
umrah, and according to some views a hajj automatically
includes the umrah, while according to other views, the umrah
is only performed when it is as an independent ritual. The
umrah, which is a strong symbol of Muslim piety, is a highly
individual ritual, as there is practically nothing of its acts
that requires the presence of other people. The only part,
which cannot be done all alone, is the shave afterwards, but
that is also not really a part of the umrah — it only serves
as a symbol of leaving the ritual of the umrah. Umrah can be
performed all through the year, with the exception of the days
of the hajj. |
| |
