The Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to the Hajj, which has specific dates in the Islamic lunar calendar; in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. In Arabic, Umrah means "to visit a populated place" In the Sharia, Umrah means to perform Tawaf around the Ka'bah and Sa'i between Safa and Marwah. This should only be done after assuming Ihram (a sacred state). Ihram must be observed once traveling by land and passing through a Miqat like Zu 'l-Hulafa, Juhfa, Qarnu 'l-Manazil, Yalamlam, Ibrahim Mursia, or a place in al-Hill. 

Different conditions exist for air travelers, who must observe Ihram once entering a specific hudood of the city of Mecca. It is sometimes called the 'minor pilgrimage' or 'lesser pilgrimage'. The Umrah is not compulsory but highly recommended.