Umrah is an Arabic word that means 'to visit a populated place'. In Islam, it refers to a pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia, which can be performed at any time of the year. Although it is disliked to carry out the pilgrimage during the days of Hajj which take place between the 9th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah. The rites carried out during Umrah also form an integral part of Hajj itself. Unlike the obligatory pilgrimage of Hajj, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and must be performed once in a lifetime by every able-bodied and financially capable Muslim, Umrah is a voluntary act of worship. However, it is highly recommended in Islam and is believed to bring great blessings and rewards from Allah.
In terms of Shariah, Umrah comprises of passing the Miqat in the state of Ihram, performing Tawaf (circumambulation) around the Kaaba, doing Sa'i (walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah). and carrying out Halq (shaving) or Taqsir (shortening) of the hair.
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Types of Umrah
There are two types of Umrah:
This type of Umrah is performed independently to Hajj and can be carried out at any point during the year, except during the days of Hajj.
This type of Umrah is performed in conjunction with Hajj and is normally carried out in the month of Dhul Hijjah, just before the commencement of Hajj. This particular type of Hajj is known as Hajj al-Tamattu and is the most common and easiest type performed by pilgrims.
Umrah Step by Step
Ihram
Miqat
Tawaf al-Umrah
Sa'i
Halq or Taqsir
Learn more About Umrah
Ihram
Ihram is the sacred state that a Muslim must enter before performing Umrah. It involves both physical and spiritual preparation.
Haram of Makkah
The Haram of Makkah is a sacred area that extends a number of miles around Masjid al-Haram in all directions. In this area, it is forbidden to:
- Cut or damage grass, trees or any other type of vegetation.
- Harm or kill wild animals. This includes scaring away pigeons and other birds.
- Carry weapons.
- Fight or behave in a way that will violate the sanctity of this area.
Entering Makkah
As you reach the limits of the Haram, constantly recite the Talbiyah, do Dhikr and send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ. Recital of the following Dua is recommended upon entering the Haram:
اَللَّهُمَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَأَمْنُكَ فَحَرِّمْنِي عَلَى النَّارِ، وَأَمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَأَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ.
Allāhumma hādhā ḥaramuka wa amnuka fa ḥarrimnī 'ala-n-Nār, wa amminnī min 'adhābika yawma tab'athu 'ibādak, wa j'alnī min awliyā'ika wa ahli ṭā'atik.
Allah, this is Your sanctuary and security, so make me unlawful to Hell-Fire, make me safe from Your punishment on the day You resurrect Your servants; and make me one of Your friends and one of the people who obey You.
Entering Masjid al-Haram
It is Sunnah to enter Masjid al-Haram via Bab al-Salam (the Gate of Peace). If you can't do this, you may proceed through any other door. Step through with your right foot first and recite the supplication for entering a mosque. Either or both of these supplications may be recited:
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.
Niyyah
The Niyyah for Umrah should be made at the Miqat or close to it as you move in its direction. Ideally, you should delay making the intention until the last moment so you aren't restricted by its prohibitions for longer than need be. It is recommended (Mustahabb) that you make the intention verbally, as well as reiterating it internally.
Following are three examples of intentions that may be uttered in Arabic:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً
Labbayka llāhumma 'umratan.
O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-'umrata.
O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-'umrata fa yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī.
O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so accept it from me and make it easy for me.
Talbiyah
After making your Niyyah, you must recite the Talbiyah to validate your intention and enter into the state of Ihram. The utterance of the Talbiyah is Wajib according to the Hanafi and Maliki schools of thought. The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools consider it a Sunnah.
You must recite the Talbiyah at least once after making your intention for Umrah. Failure to do so will result in an invalid Umrah!
The Sunnah method of reciting the Talbiyah is to briefly pause at four places, indicated by the dashes. The prayer is as follows:
لَبَّيْكَ اللهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ – لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ – إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ – لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ –
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.
At Your service, Allah, at Your service. At Your service, You have no partner, at Your service. Truly all praise, favour and sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.
After uttering the Talbiyah, you will now be in a state of Ihram and be known as a Muhrim. Make sure you're well aware of the prohibitions of Ihram and ensure you don't fall foul of its rules. If a rule of Ihram is violated, Damm or Sadaqah will be required as expiation.
It is recommended to send Salawat on the Prophet ﷺ after reciting the Talbiyah and to make Dua for yourself and others. Continue reciting the Talbiyah for the rest of your journey until you reach one of the doors of Masjid al-Haram prior to performing Tawaf.
First Sight of the Kaaba
After entering the mosque, keep your gaze lowered until you reach the Mataf area. When you're ready, with humility, awe and reverence, lift your gaze to set sight on the beatific vision of the Holy Kaaba.
Upon seeing the Kaaba for the first time, raise your hands and make Dua with the utmost concentration and sincerity as this is among those places where prayers are answered. Remember to recite Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ when making Dua.
Umar ibn al-Khattab I narrated: 'Dua is suspended between heaven and earth and none of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet ﷺ.' [Narrated in Sunan al-Tirmidhi]
Recite Takbir (Allāhu akbar) three times, followed by Tahlil (lā ilāha illā Allāh) three times or say:
اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ. اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ . لَآ اِلَهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ.
Allāhu akbar. Allāhu akbar. Lā ilāha illa-llāh.
Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. There is no God except Allah.
Additional Duas at First Sight of Kaaba
It's a Sunnah to recite the following Duas:
اَللَّهُمَّ زِدْ أَهْلَ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَعْظِيماً وَتَكْرِيماً وَمَهَابَةً، وَزِدْ مَنْ شَرَّفَهُ وَكَرَّمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّهُ أَوْ اعْتَمَرَهُ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَكْرِيماً وَتَعْظِيماً وَبِرّاً.
Allāhumma zid hādhā-l-Bayta tashrīfan wa ta'ẓīman wa takrīman wa mahābah, wa zid man sharrafahu wa karramahu mimman ḥajjahu awi-'tamarahu tashrīfan wa takrīman wa ta'ẓīman wa birrā.
Allah, increase this House in honour, esteem, respect and reverence. And increase those who honour and respect it—of those who perform Hajj or 'Umrah—in honour, respect, esteem and piety.
اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلاَمُ، حَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا بِالسَّلاَمِ.
Allāhumma Anta-s-Salāmu wa minka-s-salām, ḥayyinā Rabbanā bi-s-salām.
O Allah, You are Peace, and peace comes from You. Greet us, our Lord, with peace.
Additional Dua When Entering Masjid al-Haram
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.
I seek protection in Allah the Tremendous, His Noble Countenance, and His pre-eternal Sovereign Might from Shaytan the rejected.
Practical Tips:
- After arriving at your accommodation in Makkah, you may want to freshen up or take a rest before making your way to Masjid al-Haram to perform Tawaf al-Umrah.
- If you decide to take a shower, ensure you don't use any items that are prohibited in the state of Ihram e.g. scented soap or shampoo.
- It is recommended you present yourself at Masjid al-Haram as soon as possible.
- When you're ready, decide which of your belongings you want to take with you bearing in mind there are thieves that operate in the mosque.
- Tip: It is recommended that you take a drawstring bag for your shoes. Keep them close to you because they can get lost fairly easily.
Important Notes:
- Don't perform Tahiyatul Masjid if you intend to perform Tawaf; your Tawaf will suffice as the "greeting" for Masjid al-Haram.
- If you don't have the intention of performing Tawaf immediately, you may perform Tahiyatul Masjid.
- In Masjid al-Haram, it is permissible for anyone to walk across those performing Salah. However, their place of prostration should be avoided.
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