Virtues of Umrah

Umrahis a Sunnah act of worship. It is known as minor hajj and can be performed during any time of year except the five days of hajj. Stepping out of the homes in the path of Umrah is considered as pilgrimage until the performer reaches back home. In a hadith the Holy Prophet (PBUH) says: “The performers of Hajj and Umrah are deputations of Allah (SWT). If they call Him, He answers them and if they seek His forgiveness, He forgives them.” This hadith clearly shows the great significance of Umrah and how much Allah (SWT) loves those who sacrifice their time and wealth for His cause. In another hadith, the Prophet (SWS) says:

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘An Umrah to another Umrah will be redemption of sins for whatever (minor) occurs between them.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

The above hadith implies that a Muslim should perform umrah multiple times in a life so that the sins committed in between them are forgiven. In order to truly understand the virtues related to Umrah lets have a look at the hadith about the great blessings and rewards of performing Umrah.

1.       Performing Umrah removes poverty because the time and wealth spend for completing the deeds are purely for the sake of Allah.

Ibne Mas’ood (RA) said that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘Follow up the Hajj and Umrah, because they certainly remove poverty and sins as fire separates the impurities from iron, gold and silver.’ (Tirmidhi, Ibne Khuzaimah, Ibne Hibbaan)

Umar bin Khattab said that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘Follow up between the Hajj and Umrah, because certainly succession between the two of them increases the life span and dispels poverty and sins as fire removes impurities.’ (Baihaqi)

2.       Muslims such as old, weak and women who cannot perform jihad but wish to do so can do by performing hajj and umrah. Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘The Jihad of the elderly, weak and the woman is undertaking the Hajj and Umrah.’ (Nasaai)

3.       Umar bin ‘Abasa (RA) relates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘Two actions are considered to be the most virtuous of actions, unless if someone performs them in the same way. They are an accepted Hajj and an accepted Umrah.’

4.       Allah (SWT) loves those who strive in his path in hopes of pleasing Him alone and Umrah is an act in which Allah (SWT) considers the pilgrim to be answering His call.

Ibne Umar (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘The warrior in the cause of Allah, the pilgrim and the one who is performing Umrah are all the delegation of Allah. He called them and they responded and they will ask of His bestowals and He will give it to them.’ (Ibne Majah, Ibne Hibbaan)