Umrah is considered one of the best deeds that one can do in order to get close to God Almighty, every moment that a Muslim spends near the Sacred House of God can have an enormous impact on his spiritual and mental state, in addition to atonement for his sins and purification of his soul.
Umrah can be performed at any time during the year except for the days of Hajj, it is recommended that a Muslim perform it during the holy month of Ramadan. In an important hadith, Ibn Abbas reports that the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: “Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to a Hajj or he said: (A Hajj with me).” (Bukhari, Muslim). Here’s this article to find out what is umrah in Islam. And talk in detail about everything related to Umrah.
What is Umrah?
Umrah in language: it is the visit and the intent, as for the Umrah according to Sharia: it is the visit of the Sacred House of God to perform the worship of God Almighty, and it is based on the Ihram, by circumambulating the House, and seeking between Safa and Marwah, and fulfilling the conditions required before performing the Umrah, such as shaving the hair or Shortening it.
Why is Umrah So Important?
Umrah is considered obligatory. This is the opinion of the scholars, and the evidence for that is the Almighty’s saying: (And complete the Hajj and the Umrah for God’s sake). Surah Al-Baqarah 196.
The Significance of Umrah
Umrah is a sacred journey that holds great significance in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said that performing Umrah is like accompanying him on Hajj. Umrah is a way of earning Allah’s blessings, and it helps to purify the soul and attain closeness to Allah. Performing Umrah is also an act of worship that earns immense rewards and blessings from Allah.
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What are the types of Umrah?
- Solo Umrah
It means that the Muslim performs the Umrah on its own, and is not associated with the Hajj, and the pilgrim says in it: labaik allahuma Umrah.
- Pairing Umrah with Hajj
It is intended for a Muslim to intend to perform Umrah and Hajj in one ritual; And he says: “ labaik allahuma Hajj and Umrah maean.” God, may He be glorified and exalted, said in His Holy Book: (So whoever enjoys the Umrah until the Hajj, then what is easy of the sacrifice). Baqarah 196.
The conditions are required for the Pairing of Umrah with Hajj
- Ihram for Hajj before starting Tawaf Umrah. The Muslim intends to perform Umrah, and before performing the Umrah circumambulation, he also intends to perform the Hajj, so he enters it on the Umrah.
- Ihram for Hajj before the Umrah is invalidated, only the Shafi’is stipulate that the Hajj and Umrah be performed during the months of Hajj.
- Preserving Umrah and Hajj from corruption, so that if a Muslim has intercourse after four rounds of circumambulation, his Umrah is valid and his Hajj is invalidated, and thus the marriage between Umrah and Hajj is broken.
- The Muslims should not be from the people and residents of the Sacred Mosque area.
4. What are the benefits of performing Umrah?
There are many benefits of umrah in Islam. that It was indicated by the hadiths of the Prophet contained in this, here are some facts about umrah in Islam:
- Umrah to Umrah is an expiation for what is between them
It is proven in Sahih Al-Bukhari that the Messenger of God – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him – said: (Umrah to Umrah is an expiation for what is between them). Sahih al-Bukhari 1773.
- Dimension poverty, sins, and transgressions
the Prophet – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him – said: (Continue between Hajj and Umrah, as they eliminate poverty and sins, just as the bellows removes impurities from iron, gold, and silver, and an accepted Hajj has no reward other than Paradise). Narrated by Al-Nasa’i 2630
- Umrah in the month of Ramadan is equal to Hajj with the Prophet
in a narration on the authority of Ibn Abbas – may God be pleased with them -, he said: (When the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, returned from his Hajj, he said to Umm Sinan Al-Ansariyya: What prevented you from performing Hajj? She said: Abu So-and-so, meaning her husband, he had two camels who performed Hajj on one of them, and the other irrigated land for us. He said: Umrah in Ramadan is spent as a Hajj or a Hajj with me). Bukhari 1863.
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How to Perform Umrah?
- Ihram
The first and most important stage is when preparing for umrah. it means that the person is actually entering into the performance of the rituals. In order for the individual to be forbidden for Umrah, he washes and perfumes. then puts on the Ihram garments, which is a white loincloth and robe. The right shoulder does not appear except in the circumambulation of arrival only. while the woman wears whatever clothes she wants without any adornment. Then they pray two rak’ahs and intend to enter the ihram for the Umrah.
- Tawaf
If the pilgrim performs a pilgrimage to Makkah, he enters the Sacred Mosque with his right foot. then begins 7 rounds of circumambulation around the honorable Kaaba. starting from the Black Stone, saying “basm allah wallah ‘akbaru” and every time he passes it in each round, he ends with it, and receives the stone with his right hand and kisses it if that is possible. and does not He crowds on him, but points to him from afar, and remembers God and calls upon him as he wants. And when he reaches the Yemeni Corner, he touches it without kissing, and if it is not possible for him, he does not crowd over it or point to it.
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During the circumambulation, the man does two things. The first is “al-Idhtibaa’” which is showing the right shoulder. The second is “al-raml” which is the acceleration of walking with close steps during the first three rounds, and in the rest, he walks as usual. After completing the circumambulation, he proceeds towards the Maqam of Ibrahim and recites “And take the Maqam of Ibrahim as a prayer place.” Then he prays two rak’ahs behind him and reads Surahs “The Unbelievers” and “Al-Ikhlas” after Al-Fatihah. if it is not possible, then in any place in the Grand Mosque.
- Quest
Then the pilgrim goes out to seek from the gate of Safa and ascends facing the Kaaba. and recites the honorable verse: (The Safa and Marwa are among the rituals of God Whoever performs Hajj to the House or performs Umrah, there is no blame on him for circumambulating them, and whoever volunteers for good, then God is Thankful, All-Knowing). And he raises his hands in supplication, praising God and exalting Him, and saying: “There is no god but God alone. He fulfilled His promise, helped His servant, and defeated the parties alone.” He repeats it three times, and there is no harm if it is limited to less than that.
Then he descends from al-Safa to al-Marwah on foot, and when he reaches the two green flags. he speeds up his “jogging” walk, this is for men only. and he walks as usual upon reaching the second flag, and repeats the command in each round. then ascends al-Marwah and says what he said on al-Safa, and the round counted from al-Safa to al-Marwah. And vice versa, another round is counted. He says in the pursuit what is easy of remembrance, supplication, or reading the Quran.
- Shaving or shortening the hair to leave the state of Ihram
When he completes his quest, the man shaves his head or cuts his hair. The woman cuts the ends of her hair as much as a fingertip in all directions of the head. Thus, the Umrah is completed, and the ihram is completely removed, the prohibitions are lifted, and clothes, intercourse, and so on are permissible for him.
What are the etiquettes of Umrah?
- The following is recommended before entering ihram
- First: trimming nails and shaving pubic hair.
- Second: washing. Third: Applying perfume to the body.
- This is recommended after the ihram
Talbiyah and raising the voice for men.
- The following is desirable in circumambulation
- Kiss the Black Stone, as long as it does not lead to crowding.
- Al-Idtibaa: which is showing the right shoulder for men only.
- Raml: It is the speed of walking in the first three rounds, and it applies to men as well.
- a lot of remembrance and supplication.
- Praying for two rak’ahs after it.
- This is desirable in striving
- Climbing ascending Safa and saying: We begin with what God began with.
- Jogging between the two green flags.
- a lot of dhikr.
What are the dos and Don’ts during Umrah?
We have explained the things that must be done in Umrah and the things that are desirable above in detail. Let us clarify What are Don’ts during Umrah. These are the things that are forbidden to be done by those who are in ihram for Umrah, including the following:
Shaving the hair of the head and the rest of the body
God Almighty said: (And do not shave your heads until the sacrifice reaches its place). And whoever shaves his head or something from his body hair. He had to pay a ransom by fasting for three days, or feeding six poor people.
- Trimming or cutting the nails of the hands and feet
This is analogous to shaving the hair of the pilgrim in ihram, unless he breaks his nail and wants to remove the harmful part, then this is not prohibited.
- Putting on perfume after ihram
where the muhrim is prevented from using everything that has a smell that smells; Such as soap and some hygiene products. As for the use of perfume before entering the ihram. It is one of the recommended things that the Messenger of God – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him – did.
- Marriage contract and engagement
It is one of the things that are prohibited the forbidden. whether it is a man or a woman, and whether a contract of marriage is made by himself or whoever marries him. Whoever contracts for marriage while he is in ihram, marriage is considered invalid and not valid.
- Intercourse
Where sexual intercourse and all its prerequisites are prohibited from kissing or touching with lust. all of which are considered among the most severe prohibitions for the forbidden. it is not permissible for the man to do that, and the woman must prevent her husband from that as well. God said (So whoever imposes the pilgrimage therein, there is no obscenity, no immorality, and no argument during the pilgrimage). and what is meant by infidelity is sexual intercourse and its precursors, and whoever does this forbidden thing will invalidate his Umrah, and he must pay a ransom.
- Hunting
Hunting wild animals, such as rabbits and birds, is forbidden for the pilgrim in ihram. As for eating them, if he is hunted by a lawful person – that is, whoever breaks free from his state of ihram – then it is permissible.
- A man covering his head with something connected to him
such as a hat or a turban. As for the use of an umbrella, it is not prohibited because it is not attached to the head. Likewise, covering his face is not permissible. As for a woman, she covers her head with her veil.
- Covering the woman’s face and hands
It is not permissible for a woman to wear gloves with her hands, nor is it permissible for her to wear the niqab or burqa.And if she covers her face and reveals it when she is in ihram, or puts a veil and loosens it when men pass by, as the Sahaabah women – may God be pleased with them – used to do. A man wears everything that is sewn: it is forbidden for a man to wear sewn clothes, such as shirts, pants, gloves, or socks.
The Best Time to Perform Umrah
The best time to perform Umrah is during the non-Hajj season, which falls between the Islamic months of Muharram and Sha’ban. The climate during this time is pleasant, and the crowds are relatively smaller than during the Hajj season. However, it is essential to check the weather conditions and plan accordingly to avoid the scorching heat of the summer months.
Conclusion
Performing Umrah is a deeply spiritual and rewarding experience that requires preparation and dedication. By following the rituals and etiquettes of Umrah, pilgrims can attain spiritual purification and closeness to Allah. We hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with all the necessary information to perform Umrah and made your journey a memorable one. Remember to keep your intentions pure, seek forgiveness from Allah, and enjoy the spiritual journey of Umrah.
FAQs
Can I perform Umrah alone, or do I need to go with a group?
You can perform Umrah alone or with a group. However, it is recommended to go with a group, as it provides support and guidance during the journey.
Is it mandatory to perform Umrah once in a lifetime like Hajj? Ans: No, Umrah is not mandatory like Hajj, but it is a highly recommended act of worship in Islam.
No, Umrah is not mandatory like Hajj, but it is a highly recommended act of worship in Islam.
Can women perform Umrah during their menstrual cycle?
No, women are not allowed to perform Umrah or any other religious activity during their menstrual cycle.
Can I perform Umrah during the Hajj season?
Yes, you can perform Umrah during the Hajj season, but it is not recommended as the crowds are enormous, and the accommodation and travel arrangements are often more expensive.
Is it necessary to perform Umrah before performing Hajj?
No, it is not necessary to perform Umrah before Hajj. However, many pilgrims choose to perform Umrah before Hajj to prepare themselves physically and mentally for the rigorous Hajj rituals.