How To Perform Umrah

How to Perform Umrah?

Muslims from all walks of life agree that performing Umrah is a spiritually uplifting and life-changing event. In order to make the most of your Umrah experience, it is vital to familiarise yourself with the ritual's details before you set off on your trip.
In order to make the most of your Umrah experience, it is vital to familiarise yourself with the ritual's details before you set off on your trip.

Step 1: Ihram

The rituals of Umrah and Hajj require the traveller to enter a condition of purity known as Ihram. Two white sheets are the required garment for this dress code (one wrapped around the waist and the other draped over the shoulders). All people are created equal in Allah's eyes, which is symbolised by the two sheets. The pilgrim's separation from worldly concerns and rededication to Allah is also represented through the ihram ritual.
The two white sheets are worn and the intention (Niyyah) to undertake Umrah or Hajj is made as part of the Ihram rituals. The Talbiyah (a confession of faith) and Salah al-Ihram (the morning prayer) are required of every traveller (a two-Rakat prayer).
A pilgrim must be physically clean before donning Ihram, thus he or she must do the full ablution (Wudu) or take a bath (Ghusl). It's crucial to take care of one's personal hygiene and abstain from using scented or perfumed items.

Niyyah of wearing Ihram

Niyyah is the intention of the heart to perform a specific act of worship. Before wearing Ihram, the pilgrim must make the intention of performing Umrah or Hajj.

Salah al-Ihram

Salah al-Ihram is a two-Rakat prayer said immediately after the act of wearing the Ihram. The first rakat consists of declaring one's intention to go Umrah or Hajj, while the second Rakat consists of reading Surah Al-Fatiha and any other Surah.

Talbiyah to enter into the state of Ihram

To enter the state of Ihram, a pilgrim must first utter the Talbiyah, a statement of faith. The Talbiyah goes as follows: "Labbaik Allahumma labbaik, labbaika la sharika laka labbaik, innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak."
To enter the state of Ihram, a pilgrim must first utter the Talbiyah, a statement of faith. Translation: "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 too. You have no partner."

Prohibitions of Ihram

Pilgrims in the Ihram state are forbidden from cutting their hair or nails, wearing perfume or other scented products, having sexual relations, hunting or killing animals, or getting into physical altercations with other people.

Meeqat:

The place where a pilgrim wears Ihram is called the Meeqat. There are five designated locations around the Kaaba where a pilgrim must wear an Ihram, depending on their location and means of travel. These include Al-Juhfah, Yalamlam, Qarn al-Manazil, Dhat Irq, and the most common, Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca.

Step 2: Tawaf

Of the many acts of devotion that make up the Umrah, tawaf is among the most central. To perform this ritual, one must walk anticlockwise around the Kaaba seven times, beginning at the corner of the black stone (Hajr e Aswad). Tawaf represents the love and devotion of the Muslim community to Allah and the solidarity of the Muslim Ummah.
It's important for a pilgrim to have performed Wudu (ablution) and be dressed modestly before entering Tawaf. The pilgrim must also wear the prescribed garments and observe the requisite restrictions to be in the state of Ihram.

Istilam

At the beginning and conclusion of each Tawaf circle, pilgrims traditionally perform Istilam by touching or kissing the Hajr e Aswad (the black stone). If the black stone cannot be touched, the pilgrim might instead gesture in its direction.

Salah Al-Tawaf

Tawaf is followed by a prayer called Salah Al-Tawaf. The pilgrim prays two rakats, the first while facing Maqam Ibrahim and the second while facing the Kaaba.

Zamzam

After completing Tawaf, a person should wash their hands and drink from the Zamzam well. Zamzam, a holy well in the Masjid Al-Haram courtyard, is said to have healing and blessed qualities.

Performing Umrah with Your Child

To answer your question, you and your kid may certainly do the Umrah journey together. Even more so while engaging in Tawaf, it is imperative that the child's safety and comfort be prioritised throughout the trip. Avoid busy locations by using a sling or stroller to carry your kid.

Prohibitions of Tawaf

Tawaf's prohibitions include partaking in any worldly activity, such as discussing or using a cell phone, arguing or fighting, or even touching another pilgrim. The pilgrim's attention must be kept on praying to Allah. In addition, visitors should observe modest clothing standards out of respect for the sacred nature of the location.

Step 3: Sa’ee

The third and final phase of Umrah is called Sa'ee. It is a ritual of walking seven times back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah in the Masjid Al Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Remembering Hajra (may Allah be pleased with her) and her son Ismail as they went between the hills in quest of water is a crucial step.

Istilam

In order to begin Sa'ee, the pilgrim must first perform Istilam, which entails touching and kissing the black stone (Hajr-e-Aswad) within the Kaaba. The pilgrim should face the Kaaba, lift their hands to their shoulders, and recite the words "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar" before touching and kissing the black stone.

Dua to Recite to Start Sa'ee

"In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the male and female jinn."

Marwah

A pilgrim starts the Sa'ee by setting out from Safa in the direction of Marwah. The pilgrim should walk at a steady pace to cover the roughly 450 metres between the two peaks.
At the top of Marwah, the pilgrim should raise his or her hands, face the Kaaba, and recite the dua:
"There is no god but Allah alone. He has no partner. To Him belongs the kingdom, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and causes death, and He is All-Powerful over everything."

Completion of Sa'ee

One circle of Sa'ee is completed by returning to the hill of Safa after visiting the hill of Marwah. To finish the second round, the pilgrim must go back in the direction of the hill of Marwah. A total of seven rounds, beginning at the hill of Marwah, are required.
After the pilgrim has completed the seventh round, he or she should say the following dua
"O Allah, make this Sa'ee easy for me and accept it from me. O Allah, forgive my sins and make me among those who are accepted by You."

Step 4: Halaq/ Qasar

The fourth step of performing Umrah is known as "Qasar" or "Halaq". Qasar refers to shortening the hair of the pilgrim, while Halaq means shaving the hair of the head. Both actions are considered a symbol of purification and humility in front of Allah.
Both men and women engage in the practice of Qasar/Halaq. For males, this means a clean shave, while ladies should at least shorten their hair. The required length of the haircut or shave is not stated; nonetheless, it is suggested that at least an inch of hair be removed.
This is a significant moment because it symbolises the pilgrim's decision to sacrifice their outward appearance and material possessions in service to Allah. As many individuals place a high value on their hair, sacrificing it is seen as a sort of sacrifice.
After performing the Qasar and Halaq, the pilgrim is no longer in the condition of Ihram and may return to his or her regular life, complete with the wearing of normal clothing. Nonetheless, until the full Umrah is completed, the prohibitions on wearing fragrances, participating in sexual activity, and cutting nails that were enforced during the period of Ihram remain in place.
Your Umrah is now completed Alhumdulillah.

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