In Islam, the rewards of Umrah are the spirituality that Allah SWT gives to a Muslim for performing Umrah successfully. This is not worldly wealth or money, but it includes Allah’s SWT recompense and forgiveness of sins. Similarly, the virtues of Umrah are the benefits and positive characteristics that you get after performing its rituals.
The greatest reward of Umrah is that it forgives your sins. As Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“One Umrah to the next erases the sins committed between.”
Sahih Al-Bukhari 1773
This means Umrah has enough power to reward Muslims. Hadiths also prove this, the second most important source of Islam after the Quran. There are many Hadiths about the rewards and virtues of Umrah. This is what will be discussed in this text.
Poverty and Sins Get Eradicated – The Reward
Hadith mentioned that poverty and sins are erased when you perform Umrah solely for Allah SWT.
“Observe Hajj and Umrah in succession, for they cleanse one from poverty and sin as the bellows purifies iron, gold, and silver from impurities.”
Sunan an-Nasa’i 2631
When Muslims complete Umrah, Allah SWT blesses them with sustenance. This doesn’t mean that every Muslim who performs Umrah gets money immediately; rather, Allah SWT brings ease in peace and sustenance. Many times Allah SWT opens new paths which a person cannot even imagine, and these are among the rewards of Umrah.
You know that Umrah is a worship that brings a Muslim closer to Allah SWT, and because of this, Muslims’ minor and major sins get forgiven. You can say Umrah is a repentance for the sins to get washed away, and the person can start a new life. As mentioned in the introduction’s Hadith, Umrah to Umrah is an expiation for sins committed between. Just as a cloth becomes clean after washing, similarly, Umrah dusts away sins, and this reflects the great rewards of Umrah granted by Allah SWT.
Acceptance of Prayers and Forgiveness – The Reward
Prayers are essential during Umrah, and pilgrims perform prayers in Masjid Al-Haram and Masjid Al-Nabawi. These holy places are very acceptable to Allah SWT. Muslims continuously perform prayers during Tawaf and Sa’ee, and Allah SWT listens to their prayers and many times accepts them immediately. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, narrated by Abu Hurairah RA:
“The pilgrims of Hajj and Umrah are Allah’s delegation. Their supplications are heard, and their sins are forgiven.”
Sunan Ibn Majah 2892
Here, forgiveness means that Allah SWT, by His mercy, forgives, erases, or overlooks the sins. Therefore, sins are not accounted on the Day of Judgement, and the person is saved from punishment. The condition is to feel remorse from the heart, to ask Allah SWT for forgiveness, and to intend not to commit the sins again. Indeed, the rewards of Umrah are immense for those who perform it sincerely.
Umrah is Equivalent to Jihad (Struggle or Striving) – The Virtue
Jihad is actually the name of the greatest sacrifice, hard work, and struggle in the path of Allah SWT. By the way, the real Jihad of men is in wars. Pilgrimages to Makkah are also a very significant act of worship, which includes the hardships of the journey, spending wealth, and staying away from home. So, this too became a Jihad, but for whom? Let’s look at this from Hadith, narrated by Aishah (رضی اللہ عنہ):
“I asked, O Messenger of Allah, ‘Is Jihad prescribed for women as well?’ He answered, Yes, their Jihad is one without warfare: Al-Hajj and Al-Umrah.”
Sunan Ibn Majah 2901
Therefore, especially for women who do not participate in actual Jihad, and for the weak persons, the reward of Hajj and Umrah has been kept equal to Jihad. This shows the virtues of Umrah and how Allah SWT has given it a great status. Isn’t that a big deal?
Those Who Perform Umrah are Guests of Allah SWT – The Virtue
When Muslims intend to perform Umrah and travel towards the Makkah, then in reality they leave their homes and become guests of Allah SWT. Just as we become someone’s guest in this world and that host gives us respect and hospitality, in the same way, Allah SWT is the host of His Umrah guests. It’s stated in the Hadith that:
“Pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah are a delegation (guests) to Allah.”
Sunan Ibn Majah 2892
As guests of Allah SWT, you will only be engaged in the worship of Him during Umrah. The purpose of being His guest is that Allah SWT grants special virtue, forgives sins, answers the prayers, and you obtain respect and acceptance. Truly, reflecting on the virtues of Umrah shows His honour and mercy.
In order to become the guests of Allah, some pilgrims choose to travel on their own, while others prefer to rely on a trusted Umrah Agency according to their location. This support helps them focus more on worship during this sacred journey.
Spiritual Position and Following the Sunnah – The Virtue
The spiritual value of worship done in Haram Sharif is much greater. At that time, Muslims take their soul away from the noise and bustle of the world and devote themselves only to the worship of Allah SWT.
One of the virtues of Umrah is that a Muslim follows the path of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He ﷺ himself performed Umrah and showed how it should be performed. Therefore, guides like this one on how to perform Umrah step by step help Muslims understand each step and ritual of Umrah according to the exact instructions of our beloved Prophet ﷺ.
It’s stated in the Hadith by Anas (رضی اللہ عنہ), narrated by Qatadah al-Ansari:
“I questioned Anas about the number of Umrah Prophet Muhammad ﷺ performed, he answered: four times.”
Sahih Al-Bukhari 1778
Hence, Umrah is not just a worship but also following the Sunnah, and each ritual is performed according to the Sunnah. This highlights the virtues of Umrah and elevates a Muslim spiritually, and increases the importance of the Sunnah in his life.
In conclusion and in light of Hadiths, we come to know that by performing Umrah, sins are forgiven, sustenance is blessed, prayers are accepted, and the deeds become the reward for paradise. Additionally, it’s not just a substitute to earn rewards and virtues, but it also purifies the human heart.
