Hajj is an imperative duty (Fardh) for all Muslims who have the resources. It is to be performed during the days of Hajj, preferably once in a life time. The word Hajj means, literally , repairing to place for the sake visit, and in the terminology of the Islamic Shariah, it means implies repairing to Bait-Allah (the House of Allah, one of the names of Al-Ka'aba) to observe the necessary devotions . Hajj is not a new institution introduced by Islam in its Shariah. This institution is as old as Al-Ka'aba itself which is called in the Holy Quran �the first House of Divine Worship appointed for mankind' (3:95). This verse corroborates the Ahadith (Prophetic Saying) which tells us that Al-Ka'aba was first built by Holy Prophet Adaam , the first man on the Earth.

The Umrah is a pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any time of the year. In Arabic Umrah means "to visit a populated place". As a technical term used in the Shari'ah, Umrah means to perform Tawaf of Kaabah and Sa'i between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, after assuming Ihram, either from a Miqat or a place in Hill. It is sometimes called the 'minor pilgrimage' or 'lesser pilgrimage', the Hajj being the 'major' pilgrimage and which is compulsory for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it. The Umrah is not compulsory but highly recommended.