Umrah in Arabic means ‘visit a place’. For Muslims, it refers to the pilgrimage to Makkah. Umrah is often referred to as the ‘minor’ Hajj. While the Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and should be performed at least once during a Muslim’s lifetime, Umrah is Sunnah, a tradition of the Prophet (PBUH) and can be performed any time of the year except during the five days of Hajj.
This brief guide will outline the Umrah rituals. It contains all the necessary information regarding Umrah’s methods, rights, and formalities.
1- The intention to perform Umrah
When performing Niyyah (intention)for Ihram, one should remember that the intention should not be uttered by the tongue only. It should come from the pilgrim’s heart. Islamic scholars believe that since Niyyah is made from the heart, pilgrims do not need to utter it verbally. Moreover, there is no evidence that the Prophet or his companions ever said Niyyah aloud before prayer.
2- Ihram
Ihram is the clothing worn during the holy pilgrimage of Umrah and Hajj. Ihram means to enter into a state of purity and prohibition, Ihram for Umrah and Hajj is the first necessity of the pilgrimage. It is a state where many things are forbidden. To enter this state, pilgrims must perform certain rituals. Let’s understand them one by one. Things To Do Before Wearing Ihram
Despite being an important aspect of the pilgrimage, not everyone knows how to wear Ihram for Umrah. Before wearing Ihram, pilgrims must:
- Take ghusl, which is an ablution or body cleansing.
- He or she should trim the nails.
Let’s understand a few important things in detail:
Ghusl in Ihram
You should perform Ghusl, a highly recommended step for those intending to assume Ihram. It is Sunnah for every man, woman, and child, including those women experiencing menses or post-natal bleeding, to bathe before donning the Ihram garments.
Ihram Sheets
Men should wear a white sheet around the waist and cover the upper body with the other sheet. Women’s ordinary clothes are their Ihram. Both should wear flip-flops (hawai chappal) so that the middle bones of the upper part of the feet are not covered.
Nafl Salah
After you have donned the Ihram garments, it is Sunnah to perform two Rakaats of Salah al-Ihram before making the intention to enter the state of Ihram. This should be performed before the Miqat is crossed. Provided it isn’t one of the prohibited times for prayer, observe the Salah to perform two Rakaats Nafl for Ihram.
If any other prayer is performed after changing into the Ihram clothes and before pronouncing the intention, whether it is obligatory or Sunnah such as (The Prayer of Greeting the Masjid), it will count for this prayer, even if there is no intention to do so.
3- Tawaf
Tawaf is one of the easiest yet most significant rituals in Islam. It is an act of worship and a mandatory ritual for pilgrims who intend to perform Hajj and Umrah. Because it is a holy ritual, Tawaf has many duas and prerequisites.
It involves going around the Kaaba anti-clockwise 7 times beginning at the Black Stone (Hajar-Al-Aswad).
Pilgrims should touch or kiss Hajar Al Aswad (the black stone) which is in the first corner of the Kaaba where the Tawaf starts. However, if the mattaf is so congested that it is not possible to do so, the Tawaf can still be completed without this act.
They must then pray two rakaat at Maqam Ibrahim. This is the stone on which the prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) stood on while building the Kaaba and is located in front of the Kaaba doors.
Worshippers must make sure they are praying so that Maqam Ibrahim is between them and the Kaaba (but they do not have to be directly in front of it).
In exceptionally congested periods, this prayer can be prayed anywhere in Masjid-ul-Haram.
Having completed these prayers, pilgrims must drink Zamzam water from any of the water points and then leave for Saa’i.
4- Saa’i between Safa and Marwah
Safa and Marwa are two small hills, connected to the larger Abu Qubais and Qaiqan mountains respectively. They are now part of the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. Muslims travel back and forth between them seven times in what is known as Saa’i (Saa’i or Saa’iy; lit. ‘seeking/searching or walking’) is a ritual of Ḥajj and Umrah as a tribute to Hajar’s search for water in the area when she ran out of provisions after Prophet Ibrahim left her with Ismail in the valley upon Allah’s command.
The space between the two mountains pilgrims walk through is called Mas’aa.
Originally the word Saa’i comes from the Arabic word Saa’i which linguistically means to walk, pursue, or strive. However, according to Islamic terminology, Saa’i is to run or walk between Safa and Marwa while performing Hajj or Umrah. Performing Saa’i is the fourth compulsory rite of Hajj or Umrah. Muslims are obligated to perform Saa’i after Tawaf and its prayers. Based on Islamic history, Saa’i commemorates a mother’s sacrifice for her son.
5- Shaving the head/Cutting hair
It is necessary (wajib) to shave or trim at least one-quarter of the hair on your head after performing pilgrimage rites (hajj/umrah). The Sunnah is to shave or trim the entire head, and it is unacceptable to do less than this.
Generally, it is superior to shaving, given that it was emphatically encouraged by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), but trimming your hair is also acceptable on condition that the hair is shortened by roughly the extent of a finger-joint, namely, two centimeters.
When you are ready, sit in front of the barber and have your head shaved or a small portion of your hair cut. It is important to note that for men, head shaving is preferred over hair cutting. However, if you cannot shave your head, you can cut a small portion of your hair. For women, haircutting is the preferred option.
Umrah is a non-obligatory but righteous deed that every Muslim wants to carry out once in a lifetime. Those who are financially and physically strong or able to do so are the only ones. However, this journey allows us to wipe out old sins and start a fresh life with fresh souls. Muslims can perform Umrah multiple times in their lives. Therefore, Kaaba is considered the most sacred and holy place for Muslims.
Every year millions of Muslims gather in Makkah to perform Umrah. People from all over the world come and gather in this one place in front of the Kaaba. This gathering increases unity and tolerance among Muslims to remind them that they are all brothers.
If you are interested in visiting Makkah and Madinah, you are welcome to join us on our next Umrah trip. Jerusalem will also be part of our trip.
Reserve your place for an unforgettable journey to the three holy cities. Be Part Of Our Exclusive Group!