The literal meaning of the Arabic word Umrah is “visiting a populated place”. Umrah is a Sunnah and an act of worship that takes the believer closer to Allah SWT. It is also known as the minor pilgrimage. You can perform Umrah at any time of the year and earn great rewards, unlike Hajj that can be performed only at a specific time of the year.
While there are differences between Hajj and Umrah in terms of rewards, the benefits of performing Umrah are also abundant. Millions of Muslims perform Umrah each year and follow the sacred rituals to get closer to the Creator and purify their souls.
That’s not all. The benefits of Umrah are more than you can imagine. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of doing Umrah and how much Allah blesses the one who performs it.
Why Do Muslims Perform Umrah?
Muslims perform Umrah because it is a highly recommended Sunnah and to receive Allah SWT’s blessings. Umrah is an opportunity to refresh their faith, ask for forgiveness, and get Allah’s blessings and they can perform it any time of the year. Umrah is also less physically challenging, and one can perform Umrah as many times as he wants on the same journey. This is particularly beneficial for Muslims who come from outside of Saudi Arabia.
Benefits of Umrah
Umrah offers endless benefits and blessings to a believer. The value of this Sunnah pilgrimage is very high in Islam as the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) highly recommended it. Those who perform the minor pilgrimage from their heart will be blessed with life-changing blessings. Umrah’s benefits include getting Allah’s forgiveness, purification of the heart, and getting Allah’s blessings. There are more:
Become Allah’s Guest
In Islam, a guest is always cared for in the best way possible. Now, imagine being the guest of the Creator of the Universe Allah SWT.
It is reported from Abu Hurairah (RA): “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘The guests of Allah are three: The ghazi, the Hajj (the pilgrim who performs Hajj) and the Mu’tamir (the pilgrim who performs Umrah)”’
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa’i 2625
It is understood from this hadith that Allah becomes the Host for someone who goes to perform Umrah. How blessed it feels just to think about being a guest of AL-KAREEM (The Most Generous) in his House.
It is believed that Allah SWT Himself welcomes and hosts the pilgrims who spend their time and wealth with pure intentions to please Allah. Pilgrims start to feel a surprising peace, calmness, cleanliness, and spiritual contentment. The soul of the pilgrim revives with Umrah and gets blessed by the AL-MU’IZZ (The Bestower).
Removal of Poverty
Everyone wants to get out of poverty. Only Allah can help us achieve that and Umrah is one of the best ways to get Allah’s help in eradicating poverty. The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) recommended Muslims to perform Umrah and Allah DHUL-JALAALI WAL-IKRAAM (Possessor of Glory and Honour, Lord of Majesty and Generosity) loves the one who performs Umrah and bestows His blessings on him.
One of these blessings is the eradication of poverty.
It is narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas (RA): “The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) said: ‘Perform Hajj and ‘Umrah consecutively; for they remove poverty and sin as the bellows remove impurity from iron.
This hadith clearly states that one of the benefits of performing Umrah is the removal of poverty. Allah SWT blesses the pilgrims with Rizq and wealth in return for the wealth they spent to make this spiritual journey of Umrah to oblige their Creator.
Getting Forgiveness from All Past Sins
As humans, our sins and mistakes are more than we can remember. But what if there is a way to get Allah’s forgiveness, wipe it all out, and get a new beginning like a baby?
That is another one of the benefits of doing Umrah. The blessing of an accepted Umrah is the forgiveness of all past sins.
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “(The performance of) `Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.”
Umrah is a chance for you to cleanse your soul from all your past sins. Allah gives the Umrah pilgrims a chance to ask for forgiveness. So, if you perform Umrah with utmost faith and dedication, Allah may grant your supplication or Dua and purify your soul and mind.
You will get a fresh spiritual start and a better chance to attain the highest of Jannah.
Strengthens One’s faith
Life is getting faster by the minute. With the advancement in technology and society, Fitnah is all around us. People are committing sins without even knowing it. This is making our faith weaker.
Umrah can uplift your faith and give it a much-needed boost. If someone makes pure intention for Umrah and goes to perform Umrah, every step he takes brings him closer to the Almighty Allah SWT and strengthens his faith.
By performing Umrah, you can ask and receive Allah’s forgiveness.
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The pilgrims performing Hajj and ‘Umrah are a delegation to Allah. If they call upon Him, He will answer them; and if they ask for His forgiveness, He will forgive them.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 2892
The Reward For Umrah is Comparable to Jihad
Jihad is one of the most honorable and rewarding acts of worship in Islam. The literal meaning of “Jihad” is to strive in the way of Allah. It means putting in the effort and struggling for Allah. Since Jihad requires great devotion to the path of Allah, the reward is also great.
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The one who fights in the cause of Allah, and the pilgrim performing Hajj and ‘Umrah are a delegation to Allah. He invited them, so they responded to Him, and they ask Him and He gives to them.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2893
However, there is not much opportunity for Jihad in today’s world. The closest a person can hope to earn the reward like Jihad is by performing Umrah with pure intention.
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Jihad of the elderly, the young, the weak, and women, is Hajj and ‘Umrah.”(Sahah)
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa’i 2626
The abovementioned hadith from our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) also signifies the equivalency of Jihad and Umrah. This hadith clearly suggests that those who are not strong enough for Jihad can earn the rewards of Jihad by performing Umrah.
And Allah SWT knows best.
Umrah Benefits Summary
The benefits of Umrah are many and the rewards are abundant. Allah helps to rejuvenate the faith of the one who performs Umrah. Pilgrims can get closer to Allah SWT by performing this minor pilgrimage. It is a highly beneficial, recommended, and rewarding Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Umrah is a chance to purify your spirituality and strengthen your Iman. Every capable Muslim should perform Umrah at least once in their lifetime and seek abundant blessings and forgiveness for their sins.