UMRAH is the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, it is a ritual and act of worship performed by millions of MUSLIMS throughout the year.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Universe. May peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, the last of the Prophets and messengers, and upon his family and esteemed companions.
‘Umrah in Islamic terminology, means paying a visit to Ka’bah, and execute Tawaaf around it, and do Sa’yee that is walking between Safaa and Marwa. Umrah is the spiritual voyage towards Allah. Umrah is a performed with desire, gratitude, love and intensity. The feeling one get after performing Umrah can’t be express in words, it renews the mind and purifies the soul within.’
Quraan says: “And accomplish the journey (the Hajj and Umrah) and the visit for Allah, but if, you are prevented, (send) whatever proposing is easy to achieve, and do not trim your heads until the offering reaches its destination; but whoever between you is sick or has an illness of the head, he (should effect) a compensation by fasting or charities or sacrificing, then when you are safe, whoever profits by combining the visit with the pilgrimage (should take) what offering is easy to achieve; but he who cannot find (any offering) should fast for three days during the pilgrimage and for seven days when you came back; these (make) ten (days) in a whole; this is for him whose family is not present in the Sacred Mosque, and be cautious (of your duty) to Allah, and know that Allah is severe in requiting (evil).” 2:196
UMRAH RITUALS:
The person who went to Makkah to perform Umrah must perform a series of these ritual acts.
1. Perform a TAW’WAF:
The first ritual while performing Umrah is making taw’waf that is circling the Kaaba seven times in an anticlock wise direction
2. Perform a SA’I:
After Tawaf, Sa’i is to be performed that is walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
3. Perform a Halq/Taqsir:
Halq/Taqsir means shaving of the hair. Taqsir means a partial hair cut while Halq means a complete shave. In Umrah one can do either halq or taqsir.
These rituals completes the Pilgrimage and a pilgrim after performing all this can choose to go out of Ihraam.
STEP BY STEP PROCEDURE FOR PERFORMING UMRAH:
IHRAAM:
When a pilgrim intend to perform UMRAH. He/She must enter in the state of Ihram before reaching Meeqat _ The place from where the Umrah starts. One who enters the state of Ihraam known as Muhrims.
PERFORM PRAYER AND CONTINUE MAKING THE TALBIYAH:
When reach Meeqat, perform two sunnah rakat and after that continue to say Talbiyah.
“Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik La Sharika Laka Labbaik. Inna l-Ḥamda, Wa n-Niʻmata, Laka wal Mulk, La Sharika Lak” Translation: “Here I am at Thy service O’Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners.”
ENTERING MASJID E HARAM:
When the pilgrim enters the holy mosque he enters with his/her right foot first. He should face the black stone and point to it.
Recite this Dua while entering:
“Bismillahi, Allahumma salli’alaa muhammadin wa sallim – allahumma aftah lee abwaaba rahmatika”
Translation: In the name of Allah! O allah ! Exalt the mention of your messenger. O Allah! Forgive my sins and open the gates for your mercy to me”
At the first sight of Ka’bah, keep your eyes fixed at the Holy house of Allah and stand at one side, it is suggested that you do the following:
- Say Allah- o – Akbar three times
- Say La Ilaha Illallah three times
- Proclaim Darood Pak on our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and very humbly and with tears in your eyes supplicate to Allah for whatever you wish. This is a special time for the acceptance of prayers.
The idea is to worship and glorify your Creator Allah before stating Darood and supplications. Therefore, in lieu of Allah –o- Akbar and La ilaha illal lah, you may recite some other alike holy verses if you so wish. After this, while uttering Talbiyah, move forward to perform Tawaf of Kaa’bah.
TAW’WAF:
Taw’waf means seven rounds around the Kaaba. Pilgrim must walk, keeping the Kaaba on left. Each time when he/she passes from the black stone, he should say “Bismillah, Allah ho Akbar” Translation: Allah is the greatest”.
Also recite the dua’a: “Rabbana aatinaa fid dunya hasanatan wa feel akhirati hasanatan wa qinaa adhaaban naar”
Translation: “Our Lord, grant us good in this lifetime and good in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the hellfire.”
Continue to perform Taw’waf for seven times and then approach to Muqam-e-Ibrahim and recite these verse.
“Watakhidoo min maqaami ibrahima musalla”
Translation: And take you (people) to the Maqa’am of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.”
Go to zam zam well, /drink zam zam water and pour it over head too. And proceed to do sa’i.
SA’I
Approach to Mount Safaa, recite: Bismillahi was salaatu was salamu alaa rasoolilahi, Allahumma inee aaluka min fadhlika, Allahuma asimnee minash shaitaanie rajeem
Translation: In the name of Allah and prayers and peace be upon the messenger of Allah. O Allah, I ask you from your favour. O Allah, guard from the accursed devil.
After that face towards Qibla, raise your hands and recite these verses:
“innas safaa wal marwata min shaair illahi faman hajjal baila awi tamara falaa janaaha alaihi an yattawafa bihima wa man tatawwa khiran fa innaallaha shakirun aleemun”
Translation: Verily As Safaa and Al Mawah are from the symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or Umrah of the house of Allah (Kaaba) to perform the tawaaf between them and whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah is all recognizer, all knower. (Quran 2:158)
Abda’u bimaa bada Allahu bihi Translation: I begin with what Allah began with
Start performing sa’i from Mount Safaa and approaches towards Mount Marwah. Upon reaching the green line walk fast but do not run. At the other green signal again proceed with the normal speed upon reaching Mount Marwah you will complete one lap.
Quraan says: Then hasten on from the Place from which the people hasten on and ask the forgiveness of Allah; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 2:199.
Proceed from Mount Marwah to Mount Safaa for another lap continue the procedure and do seven laps. The last lap ends at Mount Marwah.
Quraan says: Surely the As Safa and the Al Marwa (two mountains in Makkah) are among the signs selected by Allah; so whoever makes a pilgrimage to the House or pays a visit (to it), there is no blame on him if he goes round them both; and whoever does good spontaneously, then surely Allah is Grateful, Knowing. 2:158
HALQ/TAQSIR
After completing Sai, perform the last ritual that is Halq/Taqsir that is cutting hairs either men shave it completely (Halq) , or do taqsir that is slightly cut hairs as women should do.
Now all Ihram rules are lifted and Umrah is completed. May Allah bless His mercy on us and accept our Umrah AMEEN
REWARDS EVERY MUSLIM RECIEVED WHO PERFORMS UMRAH:
ALLLAH’S GUEST:
The thought of being the guest of Allah, The Lord, maker and the creator of the whole universe makes the body shivers and gives goose bumps. Imagine being Allah’s gest how blessed a person would be. Imagine the blessings and rewards a person get from his host when he reaches Makkah His house. Abu Hurairah (RA) said: Allah’s messenger (P.B.U.H) said, “The guests of Allah are three, The Ghazi (i.e the warrior who fights in Jihaad), the Haji (i.e the pilgrim performing Hajj) and the Mutamir (i.e Pilgrim performing Umrah)” Hadiath 2626 Book of rites of Hajj, Sunan An Nasa’i Vol 3.
Once you put a glance of Kaaba, you will realize the feeling of calmness. You forget all the things you left behind once you entered Kaaba to perform Umrah. You just ask for forgiveness for what you have done behind intentionally or unintentionally. No matter Allah is great. Surely he will never disappoint you.
REMOVING POVERTY:
The unexpected rewards of Umrah are wonderful and once even can imagine. Ibn Abbas (RA) said, Allah’s messenger (PBUH) said “Perform Hajj and Umrah repeatedly, for they eliminate poverty and sin, as bellows removes impurity from iron”
A Muslim performs Umrah to please Allah and for His blessings and in return Allah blessed us by removing poverty and forgive us for the sins we made. Indeed Umrah is a grateful act.
COMPENSATION OF SINS:
May Allah gives us all a chance to ask for forgiveness and He certainly does forgive in a blink of an eye.
It is narrated that Abu Hurarah (RA) said: Allah’s messenger (PBUH) Said :From one Umrah to another is expiration for what comes in between and Hajj Al Mabruk brings no reward less then Paradise.
EQUIVALENT TO JIHAAD:
Performing Umrah is also equivalent to Jihaad to some people: It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (RA):
Allah’s messenger said “Jihaad of the elderly, the young, the weak and the women is Hajj and Umrah.
One got the reward equivalent to Jihaad too. No doubt Allah is great and merciful. He blessed us with his blessings and love us unconditionally.
MAY ALLAH GIVE US CHANCE TO PERFORM UMRAH/HAJJ AND BLESS US WITH HIS MERCY _ AMEEN