Umrah is an important worship performed by the Muslims. It is the visit to the house of Allah. This form of worship is based on the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon him. Every Muslim who has the required resources to visit Haramain al Sharifeen (Makkah Mukarama and Madinah Munawwara|) can perform Umrah and visit Haramain. It is also called a Minor Hajj. In order to understand what Umrah is in Islam, we need to study the following verse of the Quran e Karim.
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Allah SWT said in the Quran e Kareem;
“And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah Only”
Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:196
There is a basic difference between the Hajj and Umrah. Hajj can only be performed in the month of Zil’Hajj, while anyone can do Umrah whenever he wants, throughout the year.
Let’s discuss how to perform Umrah briefly;
Ihraam:
Ihraam is attaining the purity of your intention, your soul, and your body at the same time. When a Muslim intends for Umrah trip, he needs to take a bath (proper Ghusl). Men need to wear a specific dress consisting of two fabrics named, Ridaa and Izaar. Women can wear any dress of their choice provided it covers the whole body and her head completely. Once taken a bath and dressed in Ihraam, he/she needs to perform two Rakaat nafil. This is Sunnah. After that you need to leave for Meeqaat, It is the place from where you can start the proper arkaan e Umrah. It is different for people of every country.
Talbiya:
Talbiya is the pray and praise to Allah SWT that the pilgrims need to recite continuously during Umrah. Mostly people start reciting this pray as soon as they put on Ihraam. But some people start reciting it once they reached Meeqat. Talbiya can be recited as follows;
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، انَّالْحَمْدَ، وَالنِّعْمَةَ، لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayk Allaahumma labbayk, labbayk laa shareeka laka labbayk, ‘innal-hamda, wanni’mata, laka walmulk, laa shareeka laka.
Ever at Your service, O Allah, every at Your service. Ever at Your Service, You have no partner. Verily all praise, blessings, and dominions are yours. You have no partner.
Muslim 2:841
When you enter Masjid e Haraam with your right foot, you should recite the following dua;
الَّلهُمَّ زِدْ هّذَا البَيْتَ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَعْظِيماً وَتَكْرِيماً وَمَهَابَةً، وَزِدْ مَن شَرَّفَهُ وَكَرَّمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّهُ أَو اعتَمَرَهُ تَشرِيفاً وَتَكرِيماً وَتَعظِيماً وَبِرّاً
The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT also recited:
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلاَمُ تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ
Twaaf:
After entering the Masjid e Haraam, the pilgrims must touch the Black stone (Hijr e Aswad), preferably with the right hand, and kiss it. It is a great virtue according to the Islamic teachings. If you are unable to touch the black stone, you should face your hands towards Ka’baa and say Allah u Akbar.
Then there comes the turn of Twaaf e Kaaba. These are circumambulations that every pilgrim needs to perform around Kaba’a. The pilgrims continuously recite talbiya during Tawaf. The believers carry out this part of worship round the clock, every day of the week, and throughout the year. These circumambulations are part and parcel of pilgrimage.
Sa’yee between Safa and Marwa:
Muslims perform this Umrah step in memory of Syeda Hajra RA. The historical incident that refers to sa’yee is a significant incident of Islamic traditions. The pilgrims need to take rounds of Safa and Marwa during Umrah.
Shaving the head (Halaq) or cutting hair (Kasar):
Halaq or Kasar is the last part of Umrah. Men need to shave their heads. This is called halaq. Women only need to cut a small portion of their hair. This is a symbolic gesture of a believer’s submission to Allah SWT.
Every believer visits Masjid e Nabvi and Madinah Munawwira as a religious obligation. Though the visit is not a part of minor pilgrimage. But it is the heartiest desire of every Muslim to visit Masjid e Nabvi and the shrine of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Thus, the entire visit of Umrah ends up at the holy place of Masjid e Nabvi.
Conclusion:
Umrah is one of the important worships in Islam. Every Muslim who keeps the required resources to visit Harmain al Sharifeen, need to perform minor pilgrim. It is important for every believer to learn everything about Umrah. Above mentioned is the step by step guide to perform Umrah. If you want to learn everything about Islam and worships of Islam, visit QuranHost for more Islamic knowledge, our Qualified Quran Teacher will Guide you how to perfume Umarh and pilgrim (hajj). Get a 2 free Trail Now.