Hajj and Umrah are two Muslim rituals that are directly related to the House of Allah at Makkah. While Hajj is performed once in am Islamic calendar year in the month of Dhul Hajj, Umrah can be performed throughout the year.
Today we are sharing the "how" to perform the umrah right from the wearing of Ihraam (the two pieced unscratched cloth) for men at the Meeqat (five places designated around Makkah where the intending umrah Muslim takes off one's stitched cloth and wears Ihraam).
The details of umrah journey is well captured and details of each action given in the video below. However, certain prerequisites of performing umrah are given herein under:
The Pillars of `Umrah:
- Ihraam: which is assumed at the Meeqat.
- Tawaf: circumambulation around the Ka'abah (the cubical building at the center of Masjid Al Haram.
- Sa'y: Taking seven circuits between hillocks of As-Safa and Al-Marwah.
- Qasar / Halaq: Shaving of the entire head or part by men and potion of hair cut for women
Note: During ‘Umrah, pilgrims do not go to Mina, ‘Arafat and Muzdalifah or throw pebbles on the Jamrahs (stone pillars representing devils) or offer animal sacrifice. These rites are only performed during Hajj.
Things to do before entering the state of Ihraam:
- Cut nails.
- Remove unwanted body hair (removing unwanted hair from underneath the armpit and below the navel).
- Trim mustache.
- Comb hair.
- Shape beard.
- Applying Perfume.
- Purify either by taking a bath or performing ablution (wudu).
Things Forbidden after entering the state of Ihraam:
- Cutting Nails
- Hair cutting or removing extra hair from any part of the body.
- Use of any scents on the body or on the robes.
- Stitched Clothing.
- Sandals and flip flops must not be stitched either and should allow the ankle and back of foot to be exposed.
- Covering Face or Head.
- Hunting of animals even of lice.
- Sexual activity
- Ihraam is the intention to perform Umrah. Prophet (S.A.W.) said: “The actions will be rewarded according to the intentions behind them and every person will have what he/she had intended.” (Sahih Bukhari: 54). Remember Ihraam is the state of purity and holiness.
- To get into state of Ihraam one must wear the two unscratched sheets of while cloth before or at the five specified Meeqat locations around Makkah.
- At Meeqat or the place before it where one tends to get into state of Ihraam, one must perform ghusl / complete bath.
- Then wear the ihraam (the procedure both for men and women is given Here)
- Offer two Rakat of Nafl by covering your head.
- With your head uncover declare your intention / Niyyah :
اَللَّهُمَّ اِنِّيْ اُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِيْ وَ تَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّيْ
“O ALLAH! I intend to perform Umrah, please make it easy for me and accept it from me”
- After leaving home start reciting below mentioned Dua’a and Talbiya continuously. It is compulsory to recite Talbiya loudly once.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، لاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ
(In the name of ALLAH, I place my trust in ALLAH, and there is no might nor power except with ALLAH)
- Enter Masjid Al Haram: Recite Darud e Sharif and Supplicate to ALLAH and proceed towards Kabah.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وسلم, اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
(In the name of ALLAH! O ALLAH! Exalt the mention of your Messenger. O ALLAH! Forgive my sins, and open the gates of Your mercy for me).
- Keep your eyes fixed at Baitullah and Say:
اللّهُ أكبر اللّهُ أكبر, لا إلَهَ الا اللّه, اللّهُ أكبر اللّهُ اكبر, و لِلّه الحمدَ
(ALLAH is the Greatest, ALLAH is the Greatest, there is no God, but ALLAH, ALLAH is the Greatest, ALLAH is the Greatest, to Him belongs all Praise.)
After this recite Talbiya and move forward to perform Tawaf.
2. Tawaf
circumambulation around the Ka'abah (the cubical building at the center of Masjid Al Haram, seven times.The pilgrims must walk keeping Kabah on their left. Upon arriving at the Kaabah, stop reciting the Talbiyyah. You must be in Wudu (ablution). Men to leave their right shoulder bare ONLY during the entire Tawaf, this is called Idtiba’a, after the tawaf men need to cover both shoulders.
Start at the Black Stone, either Kiss it if you can, if not. Touch it with your right hand, if not
Face the Black Stone and point at it with your right hand Say
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ, اللّهُ أكبر
(just before kissing it/or just before or whilst touching/pointing) For men, to Raml (hasten/briskly walk) during the first 3 rounds of Tawaf and walk normally during the other 4 rounds. Once you reach the Yamani corner, either Touch it with your right hand (do not kiss it), and say بِسْمِ اللَّهِ, اللّهُ أكبر or if unable, then continue without gesturing or saying anything from the Yamani corner to the Black Stone, recite :
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَة ً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَة ً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّار
(Our Lord, grant us good in this life and good in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Hellfire.[Quran; 2:201])
When they will reach at Rukhn Al Yamani (the fourth corner of Kabah) they should only touch Hijra e Aswa.
After Completing Tawaf, proceed to Maqaam‐e Ibraaheem ‐ (Prophet Abraham's station)
At the End of Seven circles they will do Istilam (touch or kiss the Black Stone) and say
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ, اللّهُ أكبر
Recite this verse (which means):
وَاتَّخِذُوْا مِنْ مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ مُصَلًّى
(And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraheem as a place of Prayer. [Quran; 2:125])
Tthe pilgrims will offer 2 rakat of Nafal close to Maqam-e-Ibrahim without covering their heads. The pilgrims will go to zamzam, which is situated in the basement of Haram to drink the water (Zamzam) while standing and saying “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ and (supplicate to Allah)
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمَاً نَافِعَاًً وَرِزْقَاً وَاسِعَاًَ وَشِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ
O Allah! I implore for the beneficial knowledge, vast provisions and cure from every disease.”
3. Sa’yee
The meaning of Sa’ey is to run/ walk back and forth seven times between the hills of Safah & Marwa which are situated to the North and South of Kabah. As you leave the boundary of the Masjid, you can say (as prescribed for all Masaajid):
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ, وَ الصلاة والسلام عَلَى رسول الله, اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ,
(In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allaah. O Allaah, I ask You from Your favor. O Allaah, guard from the accursed devil.)
Upon approaching Mount Safah, the following Ayaat (verse) is recited
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَآئِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْراً فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيْم
(Verily, As‐Safaa and Al‐Marwah are from the symbols of Allaah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or 'Umrah of the house (ka 'bah) to perform the going (tawaaf) between them. And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allaah is the All‐Recognizer, All‐Knower. [Quran; 2:158])
نَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِه
(I begin with what Allaah began with.)
Then ascend upon Mount Safah, face the Qiblah, raise your hands and recite 3 times:
اللّهُ أكبر, اللّهُ أكبر, اللّهُ أكبر
(Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest.)
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَه، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَ يُمِيْتُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْر؛ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَه، أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَ نَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَ هَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَ حْدَه
(There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, Alone. He has no partner, To Him belongs the kingdom, & all praise belongs to Him, & He has power above all things, There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, He fulfilled His promise, Granted victory to His servant, And alone He defeated the allied army.)
The seventh trip will end at Marwa. After this the pilgrim will offer two (2) rakat nafal.
4. Qasar / Halaq
After Sa’yee male pilgrims will get their heads completely shaved, females will clip their hair equal to a length of a fingertip.
The procedure to perform Tawaf is illustrated herein under, while the video below show the complete ritual in easy to understand steps:
Performance of Umrah [Illustration courtesy: Islamic Finder]
You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.
May Allah show us the right path so that we do not go astray due to what man has interpreted verses of religious scriptures to suit their own religions and faith. Aameen.
If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook
Follow @IslamUltimate
Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.