Obligation
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is physically and financially able. Umrah is highly encouraged but is not one of the pillars, and scholars differ on whether it is obligatory at all.
Timing
Hajj is performed on specific days of Dhul Hijjah and cannot be moved. Umrah may be performed at almost any time of year, other than during the days of Hajj.
The rites
Umrah consists of ihram, tawaf, sa‘i and halq or taqsir. Hajj includes all of those and adds several days of rites outside Makkah:
- Standing at Arafat (wuquf) — the essential rite of Hajj, without which it is not valid
- Staying at Muzdalifah
- Stoning the Jamarat at Mina
- The sacrifice (qurbani)
- Tawaf al-Ifadah
Duration and cost
Umrah rites take a few hours; a UK package runs 7 to 21 nights depending on how long you wish to stay. Hajj rites take about five to six days, and a UK Hajj package typically runs two to three weeks because the dates are fixed and the crowds are enormous.
Hajj costs considerably more — accommodation in Mina and Arafat, transport between the sites, and quota-limited allocation all push the figure well above any Umrah package.
Booking
The practical difference that surprises people most: Umrah can be booked for next month, and Hajj cannot. Hajj runs on a national quota administered through approved operators, so places are limited and allocated far in advance.