Hajj is a pilgrimage as Umrah, but differences between them are in importance, rituals, and times. It is one of five pillars of Islam on which the whole Islamic building is stand. Hajj is a mandatory part of Islam, and it is implemented on all Muslims who can perform it physically, financially, and mentally. Hajj is a journey to the Makkah and around areas as Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) performed it, but it is a holy journey than to other tours.
The Saudi government has put in place some new laws and rules, such as an online visa. The most popular place for tourists to come to learn about Islamic history is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The tourists on the list are mostly Muslims who are only there for Hajj and Umrah.
Umrah is done at any time of year, but Hajj is performed only at a particular time, and its duration consists of 5 days (8th to 12th or 13th) of the last (12th) Islamic month (Dhul Hijjah).
Note: Performing Umrah at any time of year is only possible for those persons who belong to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. But others will wait until the end of Hajj from 16th Ramadan, to get Umrah Visa.
In late September 2019, this was the first time the Saudi government began issuing online tourist visas. Now the Saudi Government is giving a flexible in a conservative rule that tourist visa holders can visit each city of Saudi country and can also perform Umrah on this visa.
Can do Hajj on a visit visa?
There is a misconception in mind of people that Hajj can be performed on a visit visa. The Saudi government is not yet issuing a policy that allows people to do Hajj on a visit visa. People use the visit visa to travel to any country for business, education, cure, etc. The intention is an essential part of any worship. For example, If we are doing something, but we do it without intention, our work is not very well done.
Hajj is not a simple travelling in which you travel to different places at different times just like you would on any other usual trip. This worship covers many Islamic aspects such as prayers, Nahr (sacrifice), Tawaf, Sa’i, etc.
Abu Hurairah (RA.) reported that I heard the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) say:
“Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and doesn’t utter any obscene speech or do any evil deed will go back as his mother bore him.”
(Muslim & Bukhari)
During the Hajj season, Millions of Muslims gather in Makkah and visit on all points which are pointed in the Hajj journey. A lot of people in a small space makes it hard to keep order.
It is a faith that is spreading all the time, and every day more and more people are becoming Muslims. There is not a single place in the world where Muslims do not live. An opinion poll says that there are about 1.8 billion Muslims in the world.
Saudi Government specified a quota for those pilgrims who join the Hajj journey. In which the number of pilgrims limited who wants to perform it? This limitation is different for each country in the world. There might be too many people for the Saudi government to handle if they let everyone do Hajj on a visit visa, also known as a tourist visa.
Since 2021, the Hajj and Umrah Ministry of Saudi Arabia has used the same online method to give out Hajj visas as it does for Umrah visas.
You would love to read our Frequently Asked Questions about Hajj & Umrah packages. It will help you know more about your Holy trip.
