1. What are Hajj and 'Umrah and what are the differences
between them?
Hajj and 'Umrah are the pilgrimages of Islam. The Hajj is
generally referred to as the main pilgrimage or the pilgrimage, and the 'Umrah
as the minor. Both the Hajj and the 'Umrah consist of a trip to Mecca and Cheap UmrahPackage UK provides you best package that
involves certain rituals such as ihram, surrounding the Ka`bah, walking between
the hills of Safa and Marwah, and shaving or cutting one's hair. The above are
the basic rituals of 'Umrah, while Hajj has these and other additional rituals,
which include spending days and nights in' Arafah, Mina and Muzdalifah, areas
neighboring the city of Makkah. Another difference between major and minor
pilgrimages is that there is a prescribed time for Hajj, whereas' Umrah can be
performed at any time of the year. In addition, Hajj and 'Umrah differ in the
decision of each of them, as explained below.
2. What is the rule of Hajj and 'Umrah?
Hayy is one of the pillars of Islam. Allah says in the
Qur'an [And the pilgrimage to the House is a duty for Allah for mankind, for
which he can find a way there] (Aal'Imran 3:97). 'Abdullah ibn' Umar (may Allah
be pleased with him) quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
saying that "Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there
is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing the
prayers, paying the zakah, making the pilgrimage to the house and fasting in
Ramadan. "
So Muslim scholars are unanimously agreed that Hajj is
mandatory once in life for those eligible. What makes people eligible is
discussed below.
As for `Umrah, Muslim scholars do not agree if it is
mandatory or simply a recommended Sunnah. However, it is better to do it to be
sure. You can choose the Hajj mode known as tamatu` in which both 'Umrah and
Hajj are performed. More information on tamatu` and the other Hajj modes are
provided later in this article.
3. Who is eligible to perform Hajj?
Hajj is mandatory for Muslim men and women who meet the
following conditions:
to. They are Muslims
Acts of worship are only accepted by Muslims. If non-Muslims
pray, fast or perform Hajj or 'Umrah, their acts will never be accepted since
the first and most important requirement, that of being Muslim, is absent.
Second. They have reached puberty
Reaching the age of puberty is the second condition. Little
children are not required to perform Hajj or 'Umrah. It is acceptable and
convenient to allow them to participate with their families in the realization
of Hajj and 'Umrah, but still they are required to perform Hajj and' Umrah
again when they reach the age of puberty, which can be verified by fulfilling
one of the following criteria:
1. Have a wet dream
2. Cum ejaculated
3. Reach the age of 15 years
4. Pubic hair growth
5. Menstruation
D. They are healthy
Insane people are not forced to perform acts of worship
until they regain their sanity.
R. Have the skill
As is clear from the previous verse, Hajj is only required
of those who can do it. The capacity mentioned here is in terms of three
things:
1. Health
People who are sick and not expected to recover or who can
do Hajj in the future, or who are too old to do Hajj, are exempt from Hajj.
However, if they have financial capacity, they have to send someone else to
perform Hajj on their behalf.
2. Financial ability
People should also be able to pay the costs of Hajj and
leave enough money for those who are responsible. Muslims are not required to
take loans to perform Hajj or 'Umrah. Actually, Hajj is not mandatory for those
who are in debt.
However, if someone has a long-term loan and is required to
pay only a certain amount each month, then their debt is only the one that must
be paid each month. If you pay all the debts and then you have nothing left to
do Hajj, then Hajj is not obligatory for them. But if they only pay their
monthly fees and then have enough money to do Hajj, then they should do Hajj
because it is obligatory for them.
If someone is in debt and his creditor allows him to go to
Hajj, then he can perform Hajj. If someone takes a loan (of course, without
interest) to perform Hajj and perform Hajj, his Hajj is valid, although he was
not required to do it and Hajj was not obligatory for them.
3. Security
If traveling to Hajj would risk someone's life, as in the
case of a war or similar, they are not required to perform Hajj because they
cannot do it safely.




