UMRAH AND PROCEDURE OF PERFORMING UMRAH
Umrah is a pilgrimage to the House of ALLAH in the Holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is also known as the lesser pilgrimage. Umrah can be performed at any time throughout the year.
- Performing Umrah helps in removing poverty and sins.
- Performing umrah followed by another will efface all the sins of pilgrim.
There are three main pillars of Umrah:
- Ihram
- Tawaaf
- Saee
Ihram:
Ihram refers to a state in which one enters in Mecca to perform Umrah and pilgrims are strictly prohibited from doing certain things after wearing. These prohibited things include applying perfume, clipping nails, cutting hair etc. Male wears two sheets that are called “Izaar” and “Ridaa” and he should have to leave his head uncovered. The “Ridaa” is used to covers the upper part of the body, whereas, the “Izaar” is used to covers the lower part of the body.
Woman is allowed to wear her regular clothing, but she must not wear gloves and females are not allowed to do veil or “niqab”. She can use her headscarf over her face to cover her head in the presence of any non-mahram men.
Tawaaf:
Tawaaf is the circumambulation around the Kaabah, pilgrim do tawaaf seven times.
Saee:
is the running between the hills of Safa and Marwa.
These are the three pillars of Umrah. There are also two compulsory acts of Umrah that must be met:
- Enter by wearing Ihram from outside the Haram area.
- Shaving the hair, this is for a man and cutting a small portion for woman hairs.
Procedure of performing Umrah
When a pilgrim arrives at the Miqat, he or she must put the necessary clothing i.e. Ihram. Pilgrims should not apply perfume after wearing or entering in the state of Ihram. Then reach to Kaabah and start performing the Tawaaf. A man has to uncover his right shoulder throughout the circumambulation or Tawaf. Thereafter pilgrim is to tawaaf around the Kabah seven times; each time starts from the Black Stone (Hajre Aswad). Person should avoid laughter and idle talk, umrah is once in a lifetime chance which should not be spoiled heedlessly
It is praiseworthy for a person to walk in faster pace in the first three rounds.
After completing the seventh round one should cover their shoulder and perform a two rakat nafil prayer behind the Maqam of Ibrahim.
After performing the nafil namaz, one should drink the Zamzam. After this person approaches to the hill of Safa they are to recite:
‘Innas-safa wal-marwata min sha’aa-iril-laah, faman hajjal baita a-wi’tamara fala junaaha alaihi an yat-tu-wafa bi-hi-maa wa man ta-to’wa’aa khairan f’innal-laah shaa-kirun aleem.’
Meaning: Indeed, as–Safa and al–Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs Umrah – there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers well – then indeed, Allah is appreciative and knowing. (Quran 2:158)
After this a person should say: ‘Ab-da’u be-maa bada-allaahu bihi.’
Meaning: I begin with what Allah has begun with.
This should be said at the first time.
After this, pilgrim should run between the hills of Safa and Marwa. In the last step of Umrah, person shaves the hair it’s for a man and females have to cut small amount of their hairs. With this the procedure of performing Umrah is completed.