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Omra or lesser pilgrimage

The lesser pilgrimage (Omra or Hajj at Asghar), which includes these acts and the rite of hastily passing to and fro seven times between the little hills of Safa and Marwa close by the Kaaba, may be performed with merit at any season of the year, but especially in the sacred month of Rajab which forms a break in the middle of the eight secular months. Before entering the sacred territory, the votary assumes the pilgrim garb (ihram), and at the conclusion of the ceremonies shaves his head, and pares his nails.

Perhaps these customs are derived from Jewish sources, where Omra referred to the local offering of the Omer (Barley) offering. The first month (Nissan) had always started only following the ripening of barley; in case the barley had not ripened yet, a second-last month would have been inserted.

Hajj or greater pilgrimage

The greater pilgrimage (Hajj al Akbar) involves all the ceremonies of the lesser, but can be performed only in the holy month pilgrimage Dzul Hijja. It requires the additional rite of pilgrimage to Arafat, a small eminence composed of granite rocks in a valley within the mountainous tract ten or twelve miles east of Mecca. The pilgrims start from Mecca on the 8th of the month, spend the 9th at Arafat, and the same evening hurry back three or four miles to a spot named Muzdalifa. Next morning they proceed about half way to Meca, and spend at Mina the two or three succeeding days. Small stones are repeatedly cast by all the pilgrims at certain objects in the Miuft valley, and the pilgrimage is concluded by the sacrifice of a victim.

The word Hajj appears etymologically related to the word “Chag” or Holiday pilgrimage.