How to Perform Umrah – Basic Manasic to Do in Umrah

The term ‘Umrah’ in Arabic originates from ‘I’timar’, meaning ‘a visit’. In Islamic terms, Umrah means visiting the holy Kaaba in Makkah to complete the minor pilgrimage. It is a form of worship that follows the guidance of the prophet Muhammad (SWT) as taught by Allah. Umrah can be done at any time of the year, unlike the more significant hajj, which occurs on specific days of Dhul Hijjah. Umrah is a holy pilgrimage that carries great importance in the hearts of every Muslim. It is a cherished practice that provides a special chance to revive one’s belief and purify one’s spirit. Pilgrims ask for compassion, pray honestly, and try to achieve a stronger bond with Allah.

The Umrah ceremony consists of four fundamental components: ihram, Tawaf, Sa’ee, and Halq.

Step 1- Ihram and making niyyat

Before wearing ihram, it is highly advisable to perform Ghusl as a Sunnah. It is also suggested to trim your nails and eliminate any extra body hair. Since you will be flying internationally, this task should be completed before departing from your house. Men can also choose to put attar or perfume on their heads or beards, being careful not to get any on their ihram clothing.

Put on your ihram clothes afterwards. It is recommended that men wear two white plain piece of cloth, one to cover their upper body and the other to tie around their waist. Sandals that stop just above the ankle are ok, but turbans and hats are not allowed.

Women are free to dress however they normally would, but they are not permitted to cover their faces or hands.

Make sure that before crossing the Miqat boundary, you have on your ihram attire, it is best to change into your ihram at the airport prior to your flight, or during a stop if you have one, when traveling by air to Saudi Arabia.

Say the prayer of Salah Al-Ihram. Islam recommends that before entering the ihram state, one should perform two rakahs of Salah. This can be done after changing at the airport or during the flight before reaching miqat, assuming there are prayer facilities available on the aircraft. Aim to perform two rakahs nafl for Ihram by paying attention to the prayer. While other surah can be recited, surah al-kafirun in the first rakah and surah al-Ikhlas in the second is recommended.

Then make a Niyyat to perform Umrah. For travelers flying from the UK/ aboard, the Miqat is crossed about 20-30 minutes prior to landing. At this stage, one must make the niyyat for Umrah by reciting the following words:

Labbayk Allahumma bi-umrah

“Here I am O Allah making Umrah”

Talbiyah must be recited after your niyyat in order to establish Ihram and validate your goal. Reciting the talbiyah is required. Men should recite this out loud without disturbing others, and ladies should recite it quietly.

Labbayka ilahumma labbayk(a), labbayka la sharika laka labbayk(a), inna I-hamda wa n-ni’mata, laka wa I-mulk(a), la sharika lak.

“at your service, Allah, at Your service. At Your service, You have no partner, at Your service. Truly all praise, favor and sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.”

Step 2- Tawaf Al- Umrah

To do tawaf, you need to be clean of both big and small impurities and have performed wudha. If your ablution breaks while doing tawaf, perform wudu again and continue from where you stopped. You will be wearing ihram clothing that is pure and clean already. Men are required to cover their body from the navel to the knees, while women are required to cover everything but their hands and faces..

When you reach mataf, remember to perform Idtiba (exclusively for men), revealing the right shoulder in accordance with the Sunnah tradition for Tawaf al-Umrah. One way to achieve this is by draping the top part of your ihram cloth over your right shoulder and letting it hang down on the left side. You must make sure that your right shoulder is left uncovered during the Tawaf.

Tawaf starts at the kaaba’s corner, where the black stone, called Hajr Al-Aswad, is situated. Take a position facing Kaaba, with the black stone on your right. This is where you intend to start Tawaf. Saying following words to express your intention:

Bismillahi Wallahu Akbar, Allahumma Imanan bika wa tasdiqan bika kitabika wa wafa’an bi ahdika wattaba’an li sunnati nabiyyika Muhammad (SAW).

“I begin in the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest. O Allah, out of faith in You, belief in your book, in fulfillment of your covenant, and the emulation of the Sunnah of Your Prophet (SAW).”

Start your Tawaf by moving in the direction of your right side with the Kaaba to your left. In this manner, you will be circling in a counterclockwise direction. The act of Raml should be done when doing Tawaf Al-Umrah, as it is another Sunnah practice that should be followed. It involves moving rapidly, lifting the feet forcefully, and puffing out the chest to imitate a warrior. You must complete the first three rounds of Tawaf in this way before resuming your regular walking pace for the remaining four rounds (this instruction is specific to males only).

When you do Tawaf, make sure to show a great deal of humility and always remember the grandeur of the Kaaba. Refrain from consuming food and beverages and engaging in idle chatter about worldly matters. During your Tawaf, feel free to make any supplications and duas that come to mind, as this is the time when prayers are granted.

the sunnah’s suggested dua to recite between Yamani corner and Hajr Al-Aswad is:

Rabbana atina fid duniya hasanah, wa fil akhirati hasanah, wa qina azab annar.

“O Lord, grant us the good of this world and the good of the hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the hellfire. “

Upon completing Tawaf, move on to Maqam Ibrahim and recite the specified verse (men must ensure both shoulders are covered at this stage).

Wattakhidhu min maqami Ibrahim musalla.

“and take Maqam Ibrahim as a place of Salah.”

Between Maqam Ibrahim and the Kaaba, perform two Rakahs of prayer. Consume Zamzam water found near the Tawaf zone. Set an intention for why you are consuming Zamzam water. For instance, to recover from a sickness.

Step 3- Sa’ee

Similar to Tawaf, Sa’ee is a required part of performing Umrah. To put it simply, it requires walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times. Once you have finished walking around the Kaaba and prayed to Salah Al-Tawaf, go back to the Black Stone to kiss it before moving on to Safa hill to start Sa’ee. Recite this Quranic Verse when you reach the Safa hill.

Inna s-safa wa I-marwata min sha’ar’iri llah (2:158).

“Indeed, safa and marwa are among the signs of Allah (SWT).

Before starting your Sa’ee, you can also recite different Sunnah supplications. Create your own prayers in your native language as well. Next, move towards Marwa on foot. You will see two pairs of green fluorescent lights placed approximately 50 meters apart between Safa and Marwa hills. Men should jog at a moderate speed, while women should continue to walk at their usual pace.

There is no designated dua or dhikr recommended for pilgrims during Sa’ee. You can choose to recite any supplications or duas, such as sending Darood upon the Prophet (SAW).

Each time you arrive at Marwa, recite the same prayers you said upon reaching Safa. You will finish your seventh lap when you reach Marwa Hill. Although not required, it is advised to pray two rakahs of Salah after finishing Sa’ee.

Step 4- Halq or Taqsir

Following Sa’ee, you will be required to either shave your head or trim your hair to end the state of Ihram. You will continue to be in the state of Ihram if you fail to finish this important step. Halq is the act of shaving the head, while Taqsir involves cutting the hair short.

Even if you have no hair, use a razor on your head to symbolically finish the ritual. To perform taqsir, you must trim at least the length of a fingertip of hair from every area of the head with hair. However, women are not permitted to do Halq. No matter how short their hair is, they just have to cut off a small portion of the end of their hair.

Once you have completed Halq or Taqsir, you will be out of Ihram. Once your Ihram is over, you can now be released from the limitations such as avoiding perfumes, trimming nails, and abstaining from marital relations. You may now put on your regular clothes again.

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