Umrah

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“Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah - blessed and a guidance for the worlds.”

(Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 96)

Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi-Allahu 'anhu) : Allah's Apostle (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, "(The performance of) 'Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise."

Bukhari Vol. 3 : No. 1

MUST READ - ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT UMRAH

  • It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (RA) said: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “From one Umrah to another is expiation for what comes in between, and ‘Hajj Al-Mabrur’ brings no reward less than Paradise.”.
  • Ibn Abbas (RA) said: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively; for they remove poverty and sin as bellows removes impurity from iron.”
  • It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (RA) that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Jihad of the elderly, the young, the weak and the women, is Hajj and Umrah.”
  • Abu Hurairah (RA) said: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The guests of Allah are three: The Ghazi (i.e. the warrior who fights in Jihad), the Hajj (i.e. the pilgrim who performs Hajj) and the Mu’tamir (i.e. the pilgrim performing Umrah).”
  • It was narrated from Ibn Umar (RA) that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “The one who fights in the cause of Allah, and the pilgrim(s) performing Hajj and Umrah are a delegation to Allah. He invited them, so they responded to Him, and they ask Him and He gives to them.”

How to perform Umrah

  • Entering the state of Ihram (Step 1)

    Ihram is first of the rites of Umrah; it is one of the pillars of Umrah, and whoever neglects this, his/her Umrah is not complete. Ihram means the intention to enter the state of consecration for Umrah (and/or Hajj). The word ‘consecration’ means to set aside something or someone as sacred, or to put aside something or someone devoted to a certain cause. The one who enters the state of Ihram is known as ‘Muhrim’. When someone intending to perform Umrah (or Hajj) reaches the ‘Meeqat’, he/she then enters the state of Ihram. ‘Mawaqeet’ (plural of ‘Meeqat’) are the stations for initializing the Ihram. There are certain points in the vicinity of Makkah, for travellers coming from different directions, which have been defined as ‘Meeqat’. This appointment was done by our beloved Prophet (PBUH). It is obligatory for everyone intending to perform Umrah (or Hajj) that he/she assumes Ihram before entering Makkah beyond these points (the ‘Mawaqeet’); anyone who passes these points knowingly without Ihram must return back to the ‘Meeqat’ for Ihram, otherwise the violation requires a Fidyah i.e. slaughter of a sheep in Makkah (for distribution to the poor). At this step, the pilgrim pronounces his/her Niyyah for performing Umrah; the Niyyah to be pronounced for Umrah is: Labbaik for Umrah. After this, the pilgrims may start reciting ‘Talbiyah’, thereby announcing that he/she is now in state of Ihram. The wordings of ‘Talbiyah’ are mentioned in following narration: Ibn Umar (RA) narrated, “The Prophet (PBUH) would say following for ‘Talbiyah’: Labbaik Allahumma labbaik; labbaik la sharika laka labbaik; Innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika laka.” (Hadith No. 825, Chapters on Hajj, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2).

  • Entering the state of Tawaf (Step 2).

    Having completed the requirements of assuming Ihram and pronouncing the Niyyah to perform Umrah, the pilgrim, upon reaching Makkah, goes to ‘Masjid Al-Haram’ to perform other rites of Umrah. It starts with Tawaf of the Ka’bah. Tawaf means circumambulation of the Ka’bah, done in seven rounds around the Ka’bah in anti-clockwise direction i.e. keeping Ka’bah to one’s left. The round starts from the corner of ‘Black Stone’ and ends at the same corner. After completion of seven rounds around the House, one should perform two raka’at prayer near ‘Maqam-e-Ibrahim’; the stone (or place) on which Ibrahim (AS) stood while constructing the Ka’bah is called ‘Maqam-e-Ibrahim’. Though it is recommended to pray near ‘Maqam-e-Ibrahim’ for Tawaf, yet, if due to crowds etc. one is unable to get place near ‘Maqam-e-Ibrahim’, he/she can pray anywhere inside the sacred mosque.

  • Sa’ee (Step 3).

    After completion of Tawaf, the pilgrim goes to perform Sa’ee, which is the next rite of Umrah. Sa’ee refers to going to and fro between the two mountains of As-Safa and Al-Marwa; these mountains are located near the Ka’bah.

  • Cutting the hair (Step 4)

    After completion of the Sa’ee, the pilgrim cuts his/her hair. There are certain rulings associated with cutting of hair as a rite of Umrah. D.4.1. A male pilgrim can either shave or cut his hair. This is proven from following narration: It was narrated from Nafi that Abdullah said, “Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) shaved his head, as did a number of his companions, and some of them cut their hair.” Abdullah said: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “May Allah have mercy on those who shaved their heads, once or twice, then he said – And those who cut their hair.” (Hadith No. 3144 (1301), Book of Hajj, Sahih Muslim, Vol. 3). However, there is something more to add to this ruling; refer to the narration quoted below: It was narrated from Yahya bin Al-Hussain from his grandmother that she heard the Prophet (PBUH) during the Farewell Pilgrimage supplicate for those who shaved their heads three times, and for those who cut their hair once.” (Hadith No. 3150 (1303), Book of Hajj, Sahih Muslim, Vol. 3). Therefore, shaving the head is more preferred and recommended for male pilgrims. The Prophet (PBUH) himself shaved his head, and he supplicated more for people who shaved their heads. This tells us that the Prophet (PBUH) preferred shaving over cutting the hair.

  • A female pilgrim can not shave her head; she should only cut her hair

    This is proven from following narration: It was reported from Umm Uthman bint Abi Sufyan that Ibn Abbas (RA) said: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Women should not shave; rather, they are only required to trim (their hair).” (Ahadith No’s 1984 & 1985, Book of the Rites of Hajj & Umrah, Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 2). Therefore, a woman cuts from her hair a length of what is equal to the width of a finger. With this, the rites of Umrah are completed, and the pilgrim can finish his/her Ihram. All the restrictions of Ihram are no more applicable after this.

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