Umrah is similar to Hajj but can be performed at any time. To maximize pilgrimages, believers often perform Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan. Unlike Hajj, Umrah rituals are shorter and simpler.
Umrah requires Muslims to perform two key rituals, Tawaf and Sa’i. Tawaf is a circling round the Kaaba seven times. For men, it is recommended to do the first three circuits in a hurried pace, followed by four rounds of a more leisurely pace. This is followed by Sa’i between Safa and Marwah in the Great Mosque of Mecca, a walk to commemorate Hagar‘s search for water for her son and God’s mercy in answering prayers. Pilgrims conclude the pilgrimage with Halq, a partial or complete shortening of the hair.
Umrah is sometimes considered the “lesser pilgrimage”.
