What is Umrah?

Umrah is a sacred and religious act of worship performed by Muslims. It is performed in Makkah all year except on Hajj days. The Saudi government sets rules for pilgrims, which must be abided by. Hence, to follow the rules and perform Umrah correctly, it is essential to know “What is Umrah?”

Below, a brief account of Umrah’s detail is given.

Umrah pilgrims must possess an Umrah Visa and valid travel documents, including the Umrah Package, to perform Umrah. There is a restriction on mahram in Islam for ladies. A Muslim woman under 45 needs a male above 17 years of age as a companion to perform Umrah. This male must be a relative of the lady. However, women above 45 years of age are free from this restriction and can perform Umrah with groups.

Difference Between Hajj and Umrah

Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, whereas Hajj can be performed only during the first ten days of zil hajj. There is no restriction on the number of Umrah a pilgrim can perform in a lifetime. Umrah is an easier ritual than Hajj and can be completed in a few hours.

Umrah Guide

Umrah is a simple process, unlike Hajj with the simple ritual of Umrah. The pilgrims must follow the rules to perform the Umrah correctly. The main highlights of Umrah have been provided below.

Time required to perform Umrah

Umrah is quite a simple process that young people can perform in three to four hours. The duration is the average time and depends on various factors. If it is a peak season like Ramadan, there is a lot of rush, and it is hard to perform Umrah; similarly, for older people, it becomes difficult to move, and they need assistance, so it might take 4 to 5 hours for them to perform Umrah.

Ihram (Dress code for Umrah and Hajj Pilgrims)

A specific dress code is required for the Umrah pilgrims to follow called Ihram.

For Men

Ihram consists of two plain white unstitched pieces of cloth for men, as stitched clothing is prohibited during Umrah. One sheet is draped around his shoulder, and the second is wrapped around the midriff to cover the lower body.

For Women

Women must wear loose-fitting clothes, and their heads must be covered, showing no hair.

Women are not allowed to cover their faces while in the state of Ihram.

Actions prohibited in the state of wearing Ihram

Certain actions are prohibited in Ihram, and pilgrims must be careful not to do any such activity. These activities are

Cutting nails and removing hair.
Perfumes and scents are not allowed in the state of Ihram.
Land animals must not be hunted.
Trees and plants in the boundaries of Haramain must not be uprooted. This condition is for all Muslims.
Pilgrims must avoid picking up anything dropped or lost by anyone in Makkah.
A ghusl should be performed before putting on Ihram as one needs to clean himself before Umrah.

After entering into the state of Ihram, it is important to recite Talbiyah ( a prayer). Ihram must be put on before Miqat ( a special boundary where Umrah pilgrims must put on Ihram). If Pilgrims are not in the state of Ihram from the airport and intend to put it on before reaching the holy land of Makkah, there is a special area where pilots and airline staff of Muslim Airlines repeatedly announce to put on the Ihram.

Suggestion

It is suggested to put on the Ihram from home and then reach the airport if the pilgrim has a journey planned to reach Jeddah first. There are many benefits, such as

You can avoid all the hustle and enter the state of Ihram in the comfort of your home.
There could be a rush at the airport, and you might need to put on the Ihram; hence, it is wise enough to be well-prepared and start your journey with things planned in an organized manner.
After Putting on the Ihram, one needs to offer two nafal. Most of the time, pilgrims get busy fixing the Ihram and might need more time to offer nafal at the airport. Therefore, to avoid all the uncertainties, putting on Ihram from home is recommended.

Upon reaching Makkah from Jeddah, pilgrims first go to the respective hotels and then to Haram. Upon Entering Haram, a Muslim has a unique and blessed feeling as he submits himself in front of Allah. While walking towards the Haram, Muslims need to utter special words known as (Talbiyah).

Labbayka llāhumma labbayk(a), labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk(a), inna l-ḥamda wa n-ni’mata, laka wa l-mulk(a), lā sharīka lak.

Nafal, after entering the Holy Mosque

It is recommended to utter following words while entering the grand mosque بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ. اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِك

Bismi-llāh, Allāhumma ṣalli alā Muhammad. Allāhumma-ghfir lī wa-ftaḥ lī abwāba raḥmatik.

In the name of Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad ﷺ. O Allah, open for me the doors of Your Bounty.

أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ الْعَظِيمِ، وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيمِ، وَسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيمِ، مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

A‘ūdhu bi-llāhi-l-Aẓīm, wa bi-wajhihi-l-karīm, wa sulṭānihi-l-qadīm, mina-sh-Shayṭāni-r-rajīm.

Sunnah There are many gates of Haram, but it is sunnah to enter the Mosque through Bab Ul Islam; however, if it is not possible for any reason, worshippers can enter from any door.

It is highly recommended that Muslims offer two rakat nafl after entering the mosque, known as Tahaiyat-ul-Masjid. It is a first step towards Umrah.

Circumambulation (Seven Circles around Kaaba)

The first step of Umrah is to start circling (circumambulating) the Kaaba starting from the direction in which Hajre Aswad is located. A line is also drawn on the floor of Haram near Kaaba, which helps to indicate it to the Pilgrims to the point of starting the Tawaaf. When pilgrims reach that point, one circle is complete.

After completing seven circles, pilgrims must touch and kiss Hajr e Aswad (Black Stone). If it is impossible due to rush, they can also wave their hands towards the stone and move on to the next step. It usually happens during Ramzan and Hajj when Haram is fully packed, and pilgrims do not get to approach Hajre Aswad.

Drinking Zam Zam

Pilgrims must pray two rakat Nafal after completing the Circumambulation near Muqam e Ibrahim and then proceed. The next step is to drink Zam Zam.

Sa’ee (Seven Rounds between Safa and Marwa)

There are two mountains, Safaa and Marwa and pilgrims have to take seven rounds of walk between these two mountains. It is Umrah’s last and most important ritual, and it is done in remembrance of Hazrat Hajra’s struggle of searching for water for her son. There is one point where green lights are installed, and at this point, men ought to be running, and women must walk rapidly.

Pilgrims must perform two rakat Nafal after completion of Sa’ ee. The pilgrims must make a final Azkar and Dua at this final stage of Umrah. There is no special dua for this occasion; pilgrims can make any dua and supplication.

Halq Or Taqsir

Men must shave their full heads (Halq) or trim their heads (Taqsir) up to one inch. However, it is more virtuous for men to shave their heads. Women are instructed to have their hair trimmed. Length is not specifically mentioned in Islam for women.

Tip:

It is easy for pilgrims to keep small scissors so women can easily trim their hair. Many licensed Barber shops in Makkah are open 24/7 and provide services at a reasonable rate. There are a few barber shops near the door of Marwa where pilgrims can get their hair shaved off easily. There are also barber shops in Al-Safwa Towers, Zam Zam Towers, and the Hilton shopping complex.

After this, Umrah is complete, and pilgrims are free from the restrictions of Ihram. Pilgrims can change the Ihram and continue with normal clothes.