Umrah Guide
Umrah
Umrah is also known as the ‘minor Hajj’. It is a Sunnah and can be performed anytime during the year except for the five days of Hajj, i.e. from 9th Zul Hijjah to 13th Zul Hijjah. In these five days, it is makrooh tahreemi to perform Umrah.
Virtues of Umrah
1. One Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and another Umrah. (Bukhaari, Muslim)
2. To perform one Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to a Hajj. In another narration, … equivalent to Hajj with me. (Muslim)
3. The performers of Hajj and Umrah are deputations of Allah ta‘aala. If they call Him, He answers them and if they seek His Forgiveness, He forgives them. (Ibne Maajah)
Necessary acts of Umrah
The fardh of Umrah are:
1. Ihraam (i.e. special dressing, niyyah and talbiyah).
2. Tawaaf (with niyyah).
The waajib of Umrah are:
1. Sa‘ee between Safaa and Marwah.
2. Halaq or Qasr.
Note: Details of these necessary acts are coming below
Departure
1. Before departure, perform two raka‘at nafl in your house. On completing the two raka‘at, firstly thank Allah ta‘aalaa for the favour which He has bestowed upon you by giving you the understanding and the blessed opportunity to go on this holy mission.
2. Thereafter, make du‘aa to Allah ta‘aalaa. Ask Him to make the journey easy for you and to make it full of blessings and gains. Also that He safeguards you from the evil of Shaytaan and nafs. Further that He gives you the opportunity to utilise your time in those actions which will bring His Pleasure and that He accepts your Umrah.
3. Now start your journey. Throughout your journey you must perform the daily five fardh Salaat regularly and punctually. You must not be a cause of harm to anyone. On the contrary, you should be of assistance to anyone who needs help. Do not waste your time. Engage yourself in learning, teaching, preaching and remembrance of Allah ta‘aalaa.
IHRAAM
1. On (or prior to) reaching Meeqaat, perform ghusl if possible, otherwise wudhoo. Thereafter, put on the clothes of ihraam, preferably of a white colour -two sheets, one to cover the lower part of the body and the other for the upper part of the body. At this moment, men folk may apply ‘itr (perfume). The women should keep all their body covered in their normal clothing, except the face.
2. Perform two raka‘at nafl with the intention of ihraam (with your head covered). Recite ‘Qul yaa ayyuhal kaafiroon’ in the first raka‘at and ‘Qul huwallaahu ahad’ in the second raka‘at. (it is preferable to recite these two surahs otherwise it is OK to recite any other verses from the Holy Quran).
3. On completing the two raka‘at, sitting bareheaded (men only) on the prayer mat, make the niyyah of Umrah saying:
Transliteration: Allaahumma Innee Ureedul Umrata Fayassirhaa lee Wataqabbalhaa Minnee
Translation: “O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah. Make it easy for me and accept it from me”
Then read the following du‘aa (known as talbiyah) three times:
Transliteration: Labbayk, Allaahumma labbayk. Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innal hamda wanni‘mata laka wal mulk. Laa shareeka lak.
Translation: “Here I am at Your Service, O Lord, here I am. Here I am, no partner do You have, here I am. Truly, the Praise and the Favour is Yours, and the Sovereignty. No partner do You have”.
Men should recite these words loudly, and the women silently. Now, read durood shareef and make du‘aa for as long as you can. Ihraam becomes complete on
(a) making niyyah
(b) recitation of talbiyah.
Now you must refrain from certain acts which become forbidden.
Things prohibited in Ihraam
1. It is strictly prohibited to indulge in sexual intercourse, to kiss, embrace or talk about sex in the presence of women.
2. It is prohibited to indulge in those acts which Allah ta‘aalaa has made unlawful, e.g. obscenity, transgression, conflict, etc.
3. It is prohibited to hunt animals or help or guide anyone in this act; even killing a lice is prohibited.
4. Do not use scent, perfume, perfumed oil or anything that has a fragrance; whether on the body or on the clothes, or in food or drink.
5. It is prohibited to shave or clip hair from any part of the body or to clip the nails.
6. It is prohibited for men to use stitched clothes.
7. It is prohibited for men to wear footwear of any kind that will cover the central bone of the upper part of the feet.
8. Men must not cover their heads and faces.
9. Women should not cover their faces. However, in the presence of men, the face will have to be covered in such a manner that the covering does not touch the face.
10. Do not cause harm to any Muslim – be it verbal or physical.
Things Permissible in Ihraam
1. It is permissible to use an umbrella or shadow of any object such as a car roof, as long as it does not touch the head.
2. It is permissible to put on a ring, a pair of glasses, a hearing aid, a wrist watch and a belt or girdle which protects one’s money and documents.
3. It is permissible to change one’s garments and to wash them as well as to wash one’s hair and body without removing dirt by the means of using soap.
4. It does not matter if some hair come off by themselves during washing without you intending it.
5. It is permissible to cover the body, including the feet with blanket, quilt, sleeping bag, etc. Do not cover the head and the face.
6. It is permissible to use miswaak to clean the teeth.
7. There is no harm in carrying something on the head.
Sahl Ibne Sa‘d radhiyallahu anhu relates that Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “When a Muslim recites talbiyah, then verily every stone, tree and all the ground to his right and left recites the talbiyah with him to the end of the earth.” (Tirmizi)
Ibne Abbaas radhiyallahu anhumaa relates from Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam that he said, “One hundred and twenty mercies from Allah descend upon the Ka‘bah every day and night; sixty for those performing tawaaf, forty for those who are engaged in Salaat and twenty for those who are merely looking at the Ka‘bah.” (Bayhaqi)
IN MAKKAH MUKARRAMAH
After putting on ihraam, you should engage yourself in the remembrance of Allah ta‘aalaa, istighfaar and recite the talbiyah as much as possible until you reach Makkah.
1. Enter the sacred city of Makkah with utmost respect and humility reciting talbiyah.
2. Make your arrangements and immediately go to the sacred Masjid which is known as Al Masjidul Haraam. You must enter the Masjid with utmost humility and a sense of the Greatness of Allah ta‘aalaa and sacredness of the place.
3. When entering the Masjid, put your right foot in the Masjid and say:
بِسْـمِ اللّهِ وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللّهِ، اَللَّهُـمَّ افْتَـحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتـِكَ
Transliteration: bismillaahi wassalaatu wassalaamu alaa rasoolillaah. Allaahummaftah lee abwaaba rahmatik
Translation: “In the name of Allah. May the Peace and Salutations (of Allah) be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, open for me the doors of Your Mercies”.
4. When you see Ka‘bah, say three times:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ اَللَّهُ
Transliteration: allaahu akbar. Laa ilaaha illallaah
Translation: “Allah is the greatest. There is no deity except Allah”.
Thereafter, read durood shareef and make du‘aa while standing, facing Ka‘bah.
NOTE: This moment is very precious, for whatever du‘aa is made is most certainly accepted by Allah. Make du‘aa as much as you can. One must not forget to make this du‘aa: “O Allah, when you take me away from this world, take me in the state of Imaan. O Allah, enter me into Jannah without any account. O Allah, accept all my du‘aa and keep me steadfast on Deen”. (Do remember this humble writer in your du‘aa also.)
Mas’alah: A woman in the state of haydh (menstruation) or nifaas (period after childbirth) must not enter the Masjid.
TAWAAF
Now you must perform tawaaf which is fardh in Umrah. During tawaaf, engage yourself in du‘aa and remembrance of Allah ta‘aalaa. The recital of the holy Qur’aan is also permissible. Be mindful that you do not raise your voice as this will cause disturbance to others performing tawaaf.
1. Proceed towards the corner of the Ka‘bah in which lies Al Hajarul Aswad.
2. Looking from the Ka‘bah around the arched walls of Al Masjidul Haraam, you will see a green light directly opposite one of the four corners of Ka‘bah. In this corner (of Ka‘bah) lies Al Hajarul Aswad. Another clue for locating Al Hajarul Aswad is that at present it is located in the corner of Ka‘bah facing the corner with only one minaret; (the rest of the three corners have two minarets each).
3. On (or prior to) reaching this corner, make idhtibaa and stand facing the Ka‘bah, such that the whole of Al Hajarul Aswad lies to the right of your right shoulder. (The floor is marked with a black/brown line which stretches from Al Hajarul Aswad).
4. Stop reciting talbiyah and make niyyah (which is fardh) to perform tawaaf.
5. Move slightly to your right, keeping the face and chest towards Ka‘bah, and stand on the black line which indicates that you are directly in line with Al Hajarul Aswad.
6. Raise your hands upto the ears (palms facing Al Hajarul Aswad) saying:
بِسْمِ اللہِ اَللہُ أکْبَرُ وَلِلہِ الْحَمْدُ
Transliteration: bismillaahi allaahu akbar walillaahil hamd
Translation: “In the Name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest, and all Praise is for Allah”.
7. Place both palms on Al Hajarul Aswad and kiss it gently without a smack. If kissing is not possible, then merely touch it with one hand or both hands or raise your hands (palms facing Al Hajarul Aswad) saying:
بِسْمِ اللہِ اَللہُ أکْبَرُ
Transliteration: bismillaahi allaahu akbar
Translation: “In the Name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest”.
and kiss them. This is known as istilaam. It should be performed at the end of every round standing on the black/brown line facing Al Hajarul Aswad.
8. Now move towards the right, keeping the Ka‘bah on your left and walk around Ka‘bah (anticlockwise) until you return to Al Hajarul Aswad. Here, perform istilaam. You have now completed one round. You must complete seven rounds in this manner to complete the tawaaf.
9. On completing the seventh round, perform istilaam and go to Maqaami Ibraaheem and offer two raka‘at waajib. It is Sunnah to recite ‘Qul yaa ayyuhal kaafiroon’ in the first raka‘at and ‘Qul huwallaahu ahad’ in the second raka‘at. Thereafter engage yourself in du‘aa.
NOTE: If you cannot find a place at Maqaami Ibraaheem, it is sufficient to perform the two raka‘at anywhere within the sacred Masjid.
10. You should now proceed to the well of Zamzam and facing the direction of Ka‘bah, drink its water as much as you are able to. Also pour it over the body.
11. Returning from Zamzam, go to Multazam and cling to the wall of Ka‘bah, with arms stretched above the head placing on it your right cheek and at times the left and engage in du‘aa, for whatever you ask is certainly granted by Allah ta‘aalaa.
NOTE: If you wish, you can go to Multazam prior to going to the well of Zamzam.
12. Return to Al Hajarul Aswad once again and perform istilaam. This istilaam before sa‘ee is mustahab.
Mas’alah: The kissing of Al Hajarul Aswad is a Sunnah, while safeguarding the dignity of Muslims is fardh. A fardh cannot be sacrificed for a Sunnah, because Allah ta‘aalaa does not accept a Sunnah which violates a fardh. Some pilgrims ignore this fact when they harm others
in their zeal to kiss Al Hajarul Aswad, which is merely a Sunnah. To harm any believer in performing this Sunnah is haraam (prohibited). How is it possible to carry out a Sunnah observance while performing a haraam deed? Therefore, when the area is crowded it is sufficient to raise the hands saying ‘Bismillaahi allaahu akbar’ and to continue to move into the flow of the people. Inshaa’allah, Allah will grant you His Mercy and will
increase your reward.
Mas’alah: There are no prescribed du‘aa for tawaaf. One should rather make du‘aa for the fulfilment of one’s needs of both – this world and the hereafter.
Mas’alah: Hateem is part of Ka‘bah. Therefore, one must go around the Hateem to complete the tawaaf.
Mas’alah: It is Sunnah for men to perform the first three
rounds with ramal.
Mas’alah: Idhtibaa is for men only, and it is Sunnah ONLY during tawaaf. Discontinue the idhtibaa after completing the seven rounds of tawaaf.
Mas’alah: During tawaaf when you come to Al Ruknul Yamaani, merely touch it with both hands or the right hand. It is not Sunnah to kiss or raise hands at this corner.
Mas’alah: Between Al Ruknul Yamaani and Al Hajarul Aswad it is Sunnah to recite:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Transliteration: Rabbanaa aatinaa fid dunyaa hasanataw wafil aakhirati hasanataw waqinaa ‘azaaban naar
Translation: “O Allah, grant us goodness in this world, and goodness in the hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the fire”.
Mas’alah: The Ka‘bah should at all times be on one’s left side during the tawaaf. Do not keep your back, chest or right arm towards the Ka‘bah.
Ibne ‘Umar radhiyallahu anhu relates that he heard Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam say, “The touching (of Al Hajarul Aswad) removes sins and whoever performs the tawaaf properly (according to rule) the reward (is like)
Jaabir radhiyallahu anhu relates from Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam that, “The water of Zamzam is for that (intention) for which it is drunk (i.e., whatever intention one makes while drinking the water, one will achieve that intention, e.g. for thirst, food, medicine, etc.)”
SA‘EE
1.After the istilaam proceed to Safaa – again in the direction of the green light on the wall.
2. Climb Safaa until you reach the place from where Ka‘bah is visible between the pillars of Al Masjidul Haraam and make niyyah for sa‘ee.
3. Facing Ka‘bah, raise both hands up to the shoulders in the way in which hands are raised while making du‘aa. Then say three times:
اللهُ أَکْبَرُ، لاَ إِلہَ إِلاَّ اللهُ
Transliteration: allaahu akbar laa ilaaha illallaah
Translation: “Allah is the Greatest, there is no deity except Allah”.
4. Read durood shareef and make du‘aa for the fulfilment of your good wishes and others’ also. Remain engaged in du‘aa for quite a long time, for this is a place where du‘aa is accepted.
5. You must now walk (at normal pace) towards Marwah (the other side). While walking between Safaa and Marwah you should engage yourself in remembrance of Allah ta‘aalaa and making du‘aa.
6. When you reach the green lights, you must quicken your pace and run slowly until you reach the other set of green lights. Thereafter, you should resume the normal speed of walking till you reach Marwah. Women, however, must walk at their normal pace between the green lights too.
7. On Marwah too, you should go upto such a place from where the Ka‘bah is visible. The same actions must be performed as on Safaa. This is one round.
NOTE: Ka‘bah is not visible from Marwah, therefore climb Marwah and estimate the direction of Ka‘bah.
8. From Marwah proceed towards Safaa in the same manner as described above. On reaching Safaa you have completed the second round.
9. Complete seven rounds in this manner. The final round will end at Marwah.
10. At this stage it is mustahab to perform two raka‘atin in Masjidul Haraam.
Mas’alah: During sa‘ee you are not restricted to any specific du‘aa. You may make any du‘aa you wish.
However, it is Sunnah to recite:
HALAQ
After completing the sa‘ee, you must shave your head or trim the hair of the entire head in such a manner that you trim at least one inch of each hair. Shaving the head is more virtuous.
The women should trim slightly more than one inch from the end of their plait.
After shaving or trimming the hair, the rituals of Umrah have ended and all restrictions imposed due to the ihraam will be lifted.
May Allah ta‘aalaa accept your Umrah and bestow you with its blessings.
Yahyaa Ibne Husayn reported on the authority of his grandfather that Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam on the occasion of the Farewell
Hajj made du‘aa thrice for those who shave their heads and once only for those who trim their hair.
Muslim
WHILE IN MAKKAH MUKARRAMAH
1. You should remain busy in Salaat, du‘aa and recitation of the holy Qur’aan. You should complete the recitation of the holy Qur’aan at least once.
2. Perform each and every fardh Salaat with congregation in Al Masjidul Haraam. One such Salaat is equal to two million and five hundred thousand Salaat performed elsewhere.
3. Perform virtuous deeds as much as you can because every virtuous act in Makkah is equivalent to one hundred thousand virtuous acts. The holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Besides Makkah there is no city on the surface of the earth where Allah multiplies one virtue by a hundred thousand times”.
4. You should avoid all prohibited and execrable acts and things. Hadhrat ‘Umar and Hadhrat Ibne Abbaas radhiyallahu anhum said, “I would much rather prefer to commit seventy sins at Rukyah than to commit one sin in Makkah”.
NOTE: Rukyah is a place outside Makkah.
5. Perform as many tawaaf as possible because a nafl tawaaf is superior to a nafl Salaat.
NOTE: The offering of two raka‘at at Maqaami Ibraaheem is essential even after nafl tawaaf.
6. Perform Salaat in the Hateem whenever you have the chance.