'And complete the hajj or umra in the service of God' (al-Baqara 2:196). What observances does a pilgrim complete in the performance of umra and how is umra different to hajj?

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. (a) Many acts of umra are similar to hajj but there are some fundamental differences. In umra the pilgrim puts on the ihram at meeqat, recites the talbiya, then goes for tawaf of the Ka'ba, then performs two rakah at the station of Ibrahim, then performs sa'y, after which men shave their head or cut their hair while the women cut a lock of their hair. Umra is different to hajj. Hajj is obligatory and umra is not; unlike hajj, which is performed during the prescribed month, umra can be performed at any time of the year; there is no wuquf Arafah, no wuquf Muzdalifa in umra. When performing umra talbiya is stopped upon arriving at the Haram, whilst on hajj talbiya is said till the rammi on 10th Dhu al-hijja. There is also no stay at Mina and sacrifice is not offered in umra.
2. (b) An evaluative response is needed here. Candidates could say that fulfilling the different observances of umra helps a pilgrim to develop their inner spirituality in a number of ways. One or two examples could be given here. It could be said that upon donning the ihram a pilgrim is reminded of the equality of all men before God and this makes him/her feel humbled. The recitation of the talbiya focusses the mind of the pilgrims on the fact that they have come in response to the call of their Creator, that they are obedient to him and acknowledge that no one is worthy of worship besides God. With the tawaf, each pilgrim is glorifying God, praising him, seeking forgiveness and acknowledging his greatness and superiority. Just to look upon the Ka'ba is a spiritual experience of immense magnitude for every Muslim. Candidates could give other reasons or say how the two rakah at the station of Ibrahim, the sa'y and the shaving/cutting of hair at the end of the umra improve the inner spirituality of the pilgrim. All valid answers should be credited.