Performing Hajj and Umrah are deeply significant acts of worship in Islam, symbolizing a Muslim’s dedication and submission to Allah SWT. However, not everyone has the means or opportunity to undertake these pilgrimages. Fortunately, there are other Good deeds that have the same reward as Hajj/Umrah.
Here are seven good deeds that hold such remarkable rewards:
1. Remembering Allah from Fajr to sunrise.
Anas ibn Maalik (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“Whoever prays Fajr in congregation then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak’ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and Umrah.” He said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “In full, in full, in full.”
(Tirmidhi, 586)
2. Going to the masjid for congregational prayer.
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Whoever makes ablution in his home and then leaves to offer the required prayer in the mosque will receive a reward like that of a Hajj pilgrim. A reward comparable to that of someone who performs Umrah is given to everyone who goes outside to offer the [non-required] mid-morning prayer (Duha)”.
3. Performing Friday prayer
A Sahabi by the name of Sa`id bin al-Musayyib reported that performing the Friday Prayer is “more beloved to me than a Nafl (supererogatory) Hajj.”
Only Allah knows the exact reward for Friday prayer, but the fact that it was more beloved to a companion of the Prophet (PBUH) than performing an extra Hajj speaks volumes about its importance.
4. Performing Eid prayer
The Companion Mikhnaf ibn Sulaym (RA) said, “The reward for attending Eid Al-Fitr prayer is equal to the reward of performing ‘Umrah and the reward for attending Eid Al- Adha Prayer is equal to that of performing Hajj.”
(Lata’if al-Ma’arif)
5. Learning and teaching in the masjid
Abu Umamah (RA) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever goes to the mosque not desiring except to learn or teach what is good has the reward of a pilgrim who completed his Hajj.”
(al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 7346)
Sometimes when we hear of a class taking place in our local masjid, we may feel like it’s not necessary, or that we don’t need the lesson. But the reward for seeking knowledge doesn’t depend on what you already know, but the desire to learn. Make the most of any opportunity to learn at the mosque, and, inshaAllah, you’ll gain the reward of Hajj.
6. Being good to your parents
The Messenger (PBUH) commanded one of the Companions to be good to his mother. If you do so, he said: “You are a Hajj pilgrim, a person performing `Umrah and someone striving for the sake of Allah (mujahid).”
Parents – and especially mothers undoubtedly have a very high rank in Islam. To serve them and be good to them can earn one the reward of Hajj. How generous is Allah (SWT) who has placed opportunities for us everywhere to earn His forgiveness!
7. Fulfilling the needs of your Muslim brother or sister
The 7th Century scholar, Hasan al-Basri, (Allah have mercy on him) said, “Going to fulfil the need of your brother is better for you than performing Hajj after Hajj.”
What an underestimated act of goodness! We often think of worship as something strictly between us and Allah, but worship is also the things we do for Allah’s creation for the sake of Allah.
8. Sincere Intention of Doing Hajj
In Islam, good intentions have great virtues. If you intend to do a good deed like Hajj, then try for it at your best but can’t perform Hajj for some reason, you’ll get the reward of Hajj insha Allah. The following hadith supports it.
In a Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said: “The one who intends to do a good deed and he does not do it, he will get rewarded for it as if he did it. And if he does it, his reward will be multiplied ten times.”
(Sahih Muslim)
9. Dhikr after Obligatory Prayer
Abu Darda (R) narrated, “We say once to the Prophet, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Rich people are surpassing us in reward. They perform Hajj; we do not perform Hajj. They join in the struggle; we cannot join. Then the Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Shall I tell you about a deed that you do that will earn you more reward than what they do? And that is after every prayer you read Allahu Akbar 34 times, Subhanallah 33 times, and Alhamdulillah 33 times.”
(Musnad Ahmad)
10. Preparing Pilgrim or Take Care of His Family
Our beloved Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever prepares a pilgrim or takes care of his family, he will receive a reward equal to that of a Hajj; It will not be reduced from the reward of the Hajj.”
(Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah)
11. Performing Umrah in Ramadan
Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said, “If you perform Umrah in Ramadan, you will get the same reward as performing Hajj with me.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
12. Observing the Ten Days of I’tikaf
Ali Ibn Hussain (R) narrates from his father (RA) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “He who observes the ten days I’tikaf during Ramadhan will obtain the reward of two Hajj and two Umrah.”
(Bayhaqi)
These are some good deeds which have same reward as the Hajj and Umrah and Allah knows best.