A Step By Step Guide: How to Perform Umrah?
What is Umrah?
Narrated Abu Huraira:
"Allah's Messenger (? ) said, "(The performance of) `Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise."
Umrah as we all know it is an Islamic pilgrimage that involves acts of worship of Allah. The word Umrah has it’s rooted in the Arabic word I’timar which means a visit. However, in Islamic terminology Umrah means visiting The Ka’bah, then doing The Tawaf (circumambulation), walking between the Safa and Marwah a total of 7 times. You can perform Umrah, the pilgrimage to the abode of Allah at any time of the year. It can be thought of a "minor pilgrimage" compared to Hajj, the greater or "major pilgrimage". The individual performing Umrah shaves or cuts his hair in order to put off his Ihram. Umrah can either be done in tandem with Hajj or performed on other days as well. Yourtravelshop offers the best umrah packages that aim to fulfill the needs of affordable priced 5 star deals with complete arrangement and administration making this journey completely relaxed for fellow commuters.
How to Perform Umrah Step-By-Step
The pilgrimage of Umrah involves 4 major pillars, each involving:
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1. Ihram
Ihram, in a nutshell can be defined as the formal decision to perform the Umrah. Inorder to enter Ihram, the person seeking Umrah must change his garments and cleanse himself with a bath, the ghusl which is said to wash all impurities away. Men have to don two different fabrics - Ridaa and Izaar wheras women are free to wear any form of clothing that covers the body and head. As for women who are menstruating, they are also advocated the ghusl to cleanse themselves.
The individual must then either perform an obligatory prayer or offer two Rakaat of Sunnah prayer. Post this activity, the individual must face the direction of Qibla and can then finally enter Ihram before they depart for the Meeqat in Makkah. Any form of perfumed or fragrance products are not allowed to be used when a person is in his/her Ihram.
Finally at the Meeqat, the pilgrim must make the official decision to perform the Umrah and recite these words -
"Labbayk Allaahumma bi ‘Umrah"
(Here I am, O Allah, for ‘Umrah) Post this, comes the recitation of Talbiyah, in line with the Sunnah:
"Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak"
(Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner)."
2. Tawaaf
Once the Ihram is done, the pilgrim must enter inside the Masjid-Al-Haram with their right foot and recite the following :
"Bismillaah wa’l-salaatu wa’l-salaam ‘ala Rasool-Allaah. Allaahumma ighfir li dhunoobi waftah li abwaab rahmatika. A’oodhu Billaah il-‘Azeem wa bi wajhih il-kareem wa bi sultaanih il-‘qadeem min al-Shaytaan il-rajeem"
(In the name of Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the gates of Your mercy. I seek refuge with Allah the Almighty and in His noble Countenance and His eternal power from the accursed Satan)."
The pilgrim must then touch the black stone (Hajr-e-Aswad) and commence the Tawaaf. They must touch it with their right hand and kiss it. If they are unable to do so then they can alternatively touch it with their right hand and then kiss the hand. If they are unable to do this too, they could, as a third option face their hands in the direction of the stone and utter the phrase "Allahu Akbar". Men are told to cover their right shoulder. This practice is called as Idtibaa, performed by placing the Ridaa below the right armpit and covering the left shoulder from the other end. Men must now practice ‘raml’ for the initial 3 rounds of Tawaaf which is the act of walking fast while taking extremely small steps. As far as the rest of the rounds are concerned, they can walk their normal pace. Once the rounds of Tawaaf are done, the pilgrim must go to the abode of Ibrahim and recite the following words :
"And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraaheem (Abraham) [or the stone on which Ibraaheem (Abraham) stood while he was building the Ka’bah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rak‘at after the Tawaaf of the Ka’bah at Makkah)"
The pilgrim can now go on to offer two rakaat of prayers behind the Maqaam-e-Ibrahim. If that seems difficult to do, the pilgrim can offer prayers in any spot of the mosque. The first Rakah involves recitation of Surah-Al-Kafirun and Surah-Al-Ikhlaas for the second Rakah respectively. After the second prayer, the individual should head towards the Black Stone and touch it.
3. Saa’I Between Safa and Marwah
The pilgrim must now move towards the place of Saa’I(Masaa) and should recite the following when she reaches the hill of Safaa.
"Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Mecca) are of the Symbols of Allah"
And
"Nabda’u bima bada’a Allaah bihi"
(We start with that with which Allah started)
The pilgrim must now trek the Safaa hill from where the Ka’bah is visible. Facing the Ka’bah, the pilgrim must raise their hand and pray to Allah. The pilgrim is free to make whatever heartfelt prayer or "dua" that they desire. The holy prophet recites the following Dua as praise :
"Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk, wa lahu’l-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer. Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdah, anjaza wa’dah, wa nasara ‘abdah, wa hazamaa al-ahzaaba wahdah"
(There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner or associate; He is the Dominion, all praise is due to Him, and He is able to do all things. There is no god but Allah alone; He fulfilled His promise, granted victory to His slave, and defeated the confederates alone)."
This practice must be repeated 3 times. The pilgrim must descend down to Marwah where the men are made to run between 2 green lights. Post this, the pilgrim must climb up the hill of Marwah. The pilgrim must now descend again and head towards Safa. The pilgrim must repeat what he did the first time as well as repeat the same practice when he goes to Marwah for seven circuits.
4. Shaving Off the Head
Once the Safa and Marwah are completed, the pilgrim must now cut his hair. There are 2 options here - either the men shave their hair off completely or cut the hair on their head equally. As for the women, they are required to cut their hair equal to the length of their fingertips.
This act defines the end of the Umrah pilgrimage.
How can Yourtravelshop.com enhance your Umrah Experience?
Yourtravelshop.com has laid its foundation since 1995 enabling pilgrims to fulfill their wish to visit Umrah. Our team of experts across England, India and Saudi Arabia takes into consideration every minute aspect of this spiritual pilgrimage is performed in a complete relaxed state of mind and flawlessly.
We are the IATA & Approved Agency having won and nominated for Best UK Hajj & Umrah Operator 2019, organized by the Council of British Hajis, CHUBK.
We encourage people to take this spiritual journey to the holy land of Makkah & Madinah and reap the benefits of its experience, be it for spiritual or religious purposes - your wish to perform Umrah is our command.
With that said, we also make it our purpose to make your Umrah journey completely hassle-free. All you have to do is get in touch with us, specify the umrah packages that you are comfortable with, and our experienced travelist will take care of the rest.
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