PROCEDURE AND RITUALS OF PERFORMING UMRAH

Thousands of Muslims gather at the Grand Mosque (Haram), in Islam's holiest city of Mecca and home to the Qabba on September 4, 2010, as Muslims perform the Umrah or lesser pilgrimages during the last week of the month of Ramadan, when believers abstain from food and water during daylight hours. AFP PHOTO/AMER HILABI

  1. A person who wants to perform Umrah, it is recommended for both man and woman to take a bath and clean themselves. The male perfumes his beard and head and but not his Ihraam dress.
  1. Males are to change into their garments of Ihraam whereas the women only need to make their intention (niyyat) at that time in the clothes they are already wearing. There are no specific garments designated for women, except that they are forbidden from wearing the Naqaab (face veil) and hand gloves.

As for men, they should assume their Ihraam by wearing two pieces of cloth called the Izaar and the Ridaa. The Ridaa covers the upper half part of the body; while the Izaar covers the lower half part. Not any other clothing is allowed to be worn in addition to this no shirt; no underwear, no turban, no pants, no hat, etc. are to be worn.

The pilgrim than makes the intention (niyyat) at the Meeqaat to start the rites of Umrah by entering the state of Ihraam. The intention (niyyat) should be made in the heart. So the first and the basic pillar of performing the Umrah is the Ihraam. The intention (niyyat) is made in the heart.

When arriving at the sacred mosque in Makkah i.e. Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, a person should enter with his or her right foot.

  1. Upon arriving at the Kaabah, approach to the Black Stone (Hajr-e-Aswad), touch it by using your right hand and if possible, kiss it. If it isn’t possible to kiss

Hajr-e-Aswad, a person should face the Black Stone and point to it. Do not shove and push, cause harm and being harmed by other people.

A pilgrim should walk, keeping the Kaabah on his left. When a person reaches the Yamaani corner touch it with right hand, if possible, but don’t kiss it.

During the Tawaaf (circumambulation) it is preferred for a man to do two things:

  1. a) Al-Idhtibaa from the beginning of Tawaaf (circumambulation) until the end, which is placing the middle of a person’s Redaa under the right arm and ends of it over the left shoulder. When a person finished performing Tawaaf, he may return his Redaa to its original state because Al-Idhtibaa is only during Tawaaf (circumambulation).
  1. b) Ar-Raml is to be done during the first three circuits only. Ar-Raml meaning is to speeding up a person’s pace with small steps.

Make Dua (supplication) from your heart, for that which will benefits you.

  1. When you complete seven rounds of Tawaaf, approach at the Muqaam-e-Ibraaheem (Ibraaheem’s station). Then perform two rakat nafil namaz, as close as suitably possible, behind the Muqaam-e-Ibraheem.
  1. In the next stage move for saaee, saaee is about the running between the mountains of safa and marwa.

 

 

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