How to Perform Umrah

Umrah

The Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Hijaz, Saudi Arabia, performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any time

of the year, in contrast to the?Hajj which has specific dates according to the Islamic lunar calendar. In Arabic,

Umrah means “to visit a populated place.

” In the Sharia, Umrah means to perform Tawaf round the Kabah, and Sa’i between

Safa and Marwah, both after assuming Ihram. Ihram must be observed once traveling by land and passing a Miqat like

Zu ‘l-Hulafa, Juhfa, Qarnu ‘l-Manazil, Yalamlam, Zat-i-‘Irq, Ibrahim Mursia, or a place in al-Hill.

Umrah is a journey that can be fulfilled at any convenient time during the year.

Especially for people that have certain time constraints and financial issues. The significance of Umrah is comparatively lesser than Hajj,

however, it is just as fulfilling an experience.

Difference Between the Hajj and Umrah:

Both are Islamic pilgrimages, the main difference is their level of importance and the method of observance.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for every Muslim once in their lifetime, provided they are physically fit and financially capable.

Hajj is performed over specific days during a designated Islamic month. However, Umrah can be performed at any time.

They share common rites, Umrah can be performed in less than a few hours while Hajj is more time consuming, and involves more rituals.

HOW TO PERFORM UMRAH:

In UMRAH four deeds are to be done, these are:

1) To wear IHRAAM from the meeqaat reciting Talbiyah:

2) To do TAWAAF after reaching the MASJID-e-HARAAM.

3) To do SALE between SAFA and MARWA hillocks.

4) To shave or cut the hair of the head.

1: Ihram When performing Umrah, before entering the Holy City of Makkah, you should be in Ihram.

2: Niyyah After the reciting of prayers, perform Niyyah (i.e. express your intention to perform Umrah):

O Allah, I perform Tawaf of Umrah to please You. Make it easy for me and accept it from me.

3: Islam This act, whether you kiss the Black Stone, touch it by hand or utter a prayer while pointing by the palm of your hands towards the Black Stone is called Islam.

4: Dhat Irq This miqat is about 85 kilometers towards the northeast side of Makkah. This is the miqat for the people of Iran, Iraq and for those coming from that direction.

5: Tawaf You may now begin your seven circumambulations, moving to the right so that you keep the Kaaba to your left, counter-clockwise, around the Kaaba.

6: Prayers During Tawaf While performing Tawaf, there are no prescribed prayers but there are a number of supplications which are recommended.

7: Hateem Hateem is a semi-circular section which originally formed part of the Kaaba but was not incorporated into the Kaaba when the Kaaba was rebuilt. You should include the Hateem in your circumambulations.

8: Completion of Tawaf On completion of your seven circumambulations, men should cover their right shoulder, thus ending iddtibaa.

9: Multazam Between the Black Stone and the door of the Kaaba is a deeply holy place about two meters in length where it is very good to pray.

If you are able to reach this place, pray to Allah for His mercy and for His beneficence.

10: Maqam Ibrahim- On completion of the seven circumambulations, you should approach Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim) and offer two short prayers (rakaat). Then, if it is possible, you should return to the Black Stone and touch it.

11: Safa & Marwa You are then ready to perform the Say, the shuttling between the two hills of Safa and Marwah.

12: Cutting of Hair On completion of Say, men may shave their heads or shorten/clip their hair. Women should clip their hair one or two centimeters.

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