What is Umrah? Umrah is a mini Hajj that can be performed at any time of the year. It can be performed along with Hajj and in other days as well. According to Quran:

"---accomplish Hajj and Umrah to please Allah". (Al-Baqrah,1996)

Great Merits of Performing Umrah

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has described the great merits of performing Umrah.

He has said:

"The people who come to perform Hajj or Umrah are the guests of Allah because they visit His House on His Call; therefore, Allah grants them what they ask for".1

He has also said:

"One Umrah becomes an atonement for the sins committed up to the next Umrah".2

He has said again:

"Anyone who leaves his house with the intention of performing Hajj or Umrah and dies on the way will enter paradise without judgement. Allah is proud of those who perform tawaf of Baitullah".3

                            Umrah in Ramadan

Performing Umrah during Ramadan is most commendable and equal to Hajj in merit and excellence.4

Clarification: It is quite true that an Umrah in Ramadan equals a Hajj and one can get the same rewards that are granted to one who performs a Hajj. But this act does not substitute the performance of Hajj which is Fard (imperative), once in a life time if one is financially and physically capable.  

RULES FOR UMRAH

1.	Umrah is Sunnat Mu'akidah: Umrah is neither imperative (Fard) nor obligatory (wajib), but performing Umrah once in a life time is Sunnat Mu'akidah. However, once or more than once, whenever it is performed, it fetches great rewards.
2.	No Fixed Time: There is no fixed month, day or time for Umrah as it is for Hajj. As said earlier, it can be performed any time one desires.
3.	The Miqat for Umarh: The station of Ihram (Miqat) for Umrah is Hill for the residents of the Haram of Mecca and the people of Hill. As mentioned later, the area between the five appointed Miqats of Hajj and the bounds of the Haram of Mecca is called Hill. The Afaqis (outsiders) who come to Mecca for Hajj and Umrah should already be in Ihram before entering into Mecca. However, for subsequent Umrahs, even they have to go to Hill to put on Ihram. For this purpose, buses outside Bab Abdul Aziz of al-Haram take pilgrims to Masjid Aai'sha which is in Hill on Madinah Road at Tan'eem, not far from Mecca.
4.	The Rites of Umrah: The only rites of Umrah are: Entering the state of Ihram Tawaf of Ka'bah Sa'yee between the hills of Safa and Marwah Shaving and clipping of the hair
In Umrah, pilgrims do not go to Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa or throw pebbles on the Jamrahs (stone pillars representing devils) or offer animal sacrifice. These rites are performed during Hajj.