Umrah is an Arabic word.
The literal meaning of the word Umrah is “visiting a populated place.” It is the shorter version of the annual pilgrimage of Muslims to Makkah.
While performing Umrah, Muslims seek forgiveness and make many duas for themselves, their families, and the ummah.
Umrah can be performed at any time throughout the year.
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Benefits of Umrah in Islam
If a Muslim performs Umrah for the sake of Allah (SWT) and with the sincerity of his heart, it will give him many rewards.
There are many benefits of Umrah mentioned in the hadith and Quran. Some of them are discussed below.
a) Allah’s guest
Abu Hurairah (RA) said: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said:
“The guests of Allah 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).” – Hadith No. 2626, Book of The Rites of Hajj, Sunan An-Nasa’i, Vol.3.
As learned from the above hadith, the person who goes to perform Umrah is the guest of Allah (SWT).
Being a guest of the creator of the universe is such an honor in itself.
Can there be a better host than Allah (SWT)?
b) Wiping all the previous sins
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that our beloved Holy Prophet PBUH said:
“From one Umrah to another is expiation for what comes in between, and ‘Hajj Al-Mabrur’ brings no reward less than Heaven.”
Most people perform Umrah to seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT).
All the previous sins get wiped away from the person who performs Umrah with all sincerity.
c) Stronger Iman
Performing Umrah makes the Iman stronger.
The person who performs it with the sincerity and purity of his heart will feel his Iman strengthen.
d) Getting rid of poverty
Ibn Abbas (RA) said: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said,
“Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively; for they remove poverty and sin as bellows removes impurity from iron.”
No one likes to be poor.
Poverty is an uncomfortable way of spending life.
Umrah is the best way of getting rid of poverty.
Allah (SWT) will provide barakah in the belongings of a person who performs Umrah.
e) Reward like jihad
Jihad is one of those acts which requires the most sacrifice.
Jihad offers immense rewards for Muslims but everyone does not get the chance to do jihad in their life.
But Allah Almighty has made it easy for those to get rewards equal to that of jihad by performing Umrah.
So it’s best to perform Umrah to gain as much reward as jihad offers.
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said:
“Jihad of the elderly, the young, the weak, and the women, is Hajj and Umrah.”
Benefits of Umrah in Ramadan
Ramadan is the month of blessings.
Every good deed a Muslim does is rewarded many folds in Ramadan.
All Muslims worldwide uplift their spirits and do as much good as they can in this holy month.
Umrah offers many benefits, but its reward multiplies when performed in Ramadan.
Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of performing Umrah in Ramadan.
1) Performing Umrah in Ramadan is of immense value in the sight of Allah (SWT).
2) The person who performs Umrah in Ramadan with sincerity earns the pleasure of Allah (SWT).
3) Performing Umrah while fasting will increase the reward multiple times.
4) The reward of performing Umrah during the month of Ramadan is equivalent to the reward of performing Hajj.
Al-Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn’ Abbas said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to a woman from among the Ansar – Ibn’ Abbas 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 Ramadan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in (that month) is equivalent to Hajj.”
Likewise, it was reported by Ummu Ma’aqil, may Allah (SWT) be pleased with her, that the Prophet (PBUH) said to her:
“Perform Umrah in Ramadan, as it is equal to Hajj.” [Abu Dawud]
5) Nothing can be compared to the spiritual experience of performing Umrah while you are fasting.
6) Satan gets locked up by Allah (SWT) in the month of Ramadan, so it becomes easier for a person to perform Umrah with the purity of his heart.
7) Allah showers His blessing in the holy month of Ramadan. So the person performing Umrah in Ramadan is under Allah’s mercy and blessings.
8) Performing Umrah helps in getting rid of all the previous sins. Ramadan is also the month when Allah (SWT) frees maximum souls from hellfire. So this ensures that all sins are expiated by the person who performs Umrah during Ramadan.
Social benefits of umrah
Besides all the other benefits, there are many social benefits of performing Umrah.
Some of them are mentioned below.
1) From around the world people gather together in Makkah to perform Umrah. All of them come with pure intentions for the sake of Allah (SWT). This way, a bond of brotherhood is developed between them.
2) People who perform Umrah may also face lots of physical and emotional hardships. This way, they start appreciating their blessings and others around them who face difficulties in their everyday lives.
3) All the men who perform Umrah must wear Ihram. Ihram is plain white cloth. Wearing the same dress as everyone else makes one humble. And this also depicts that, rich and poor, everyone is the same in the sight of Allah (SWT).
4) It is essential for all the people who perform Umrah to keep themselves away from all immoral acts. This practice makes them good human being who stays away from all evil for their remaining life.
5) A sense of unity develops among Muslims while they all perform Umrah. People from all over the world come who may belong to different races and nationalities but share one religion. They may be poor or rich but they are all the same in the sight of Allah (SWT).
6) All the barriers of color, race, and culture are forgotten while performing Umrah. Muslims give the message to the outer world that we are united and we are all brothers.
7) After the realization of being brothers in Islam, people become responsible. They try to help their brothers in Islam when they see them in need.
8) People from different continents and different parts of the globe gather together. This way, they get the opportunity to learn new things and learn about other cultures.
9) People keep themselves away from doing any physical or mental harm to others.
10) An atmosphere of harmony and love is created among Muslims.
Financial benefits of Umrah
While performing the holy activity of Umrah, people gain many financial benefits too.
A person spends his energy, time, and wealth for the sake of Allah (SWT) and in return, Allah (SWT) rewards him many folds.
Let us see some of the financial benefits of performing Umrah below.
1) By spending money in the way of Allah (SWT), people gain a lot more in return.
2) Muslims who perform Umrah are rewarded for all the expenditure.
3) More people do charity while they perform Umrah.
4) Wealth is redistributed among Muslims when they do sadaqah in the umrah rituals.
5) Due to the rise in sadaqah, there is good circulation of money among the rich and poor.
6) Saudi economy flourishes when people from all over the world come to perform Umrah.
7) The unemployment rate decreases in Saudi Arabia during the peak season of Hajj and Umrah.
8) Rich people spend generously on the poor when they perform Umrah.