Umrah Guidance

Allah grants fortunate Muslims the blessing of visiting His sacred house, enabling them to perform Hajj and Umrah. Unlike regular prayers, these acts of worship are not performed frequently, so their rules and methods are often learned only when one is preparing to embark on the journey to Makkah. For those who intend to travel for Umrah, we will provide complete guidance on how to perform it and explain the essential steps and practices. First, there are some foundational things that you should know before starting this spiritual journey.

The ruling on performing Umrah

According to Imam Azam (Abu Hanifa), Umrah is a strongly recommended Sunnah, and once it has been started, it becomes necessary to complete it. Imam Shafi, however, holds that performing Umrah once in a lifetime is obligatory. Hajj, on the other hand, is obligatory once in a lifetime for anyone who has the financial and physical ability to undertake it.

What is ihram

In Hajj or Umrah, making certain permissible things forbidden upon oneself is called Ihram. In the state of Ihram, the following are forbidden:

– Cutting or removing hair from any part of the body

– Trimming nails

– Applying perfume (Keep in mind that scented soaps cannot be used either.)

– Engaging in sexual relations

– Men wearing stitched clothing (they cannot wear pants, shirts, caps, or closed shoes; however, sandals that leave the top of the foot exposed are allowed)

– Women can wear stitched clothing but cannot cover their faces

– Hunting

Important rulings related to Ihram

If a woman cuts one-fourth of her hair from her head while in Ihram, she must give a dam      (a penalty sacrifice).

If she cuts less than one-fourth of her hair, she must give a sadaqah (charity).

If a few hairs fall out while performing Wudu (ablution), such as one, two, or three hairs, she should give one handful of grain as sadaqah for each fallen hair.

If more than three hairs fall out, she will need to give a sadaqah for them as well.

It is allowed to apply perfume before making the intention of Ihram. If the perfume is applied before the intention, whether on the body or clothes, there is no penalty. However, if perfume is applied after making the intention of Ihram, a dam (penalty sacrifice) is required.

If someone touches the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), the Yemeni Corner (Rukn al-Yamani), or the Multazam and applies perfume, and if a large amount of perfume is applied, a dam (penalty sacrifice) is required. If only a small amount of perfume is applied, then sadaqah (charity) is required.

What is Miqat?

Miqat refers to the boundary point beyond which one cannot pass without entering into the state of Ihram (sacred state for pilgrimage). The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) designated specific Miqat points for people from different regions:

– For the people of Madinah, the Miqat is Dhu al-Hulayfah.

– For the people of Sham (greater Syria), it is Juhfa.

– For the people of Najd, it is Qarn.

– For the people of Yemen, it is Yalamlam.

– For the people of Iraq, it is Dhat Irq.

Can one pass beyond the Miqat without entering into Ihram?

Anyone intending to perform Hajj or Umrah cannot pass beyond the Miqat boundary without entering the state of Ihram.

However, if one does not intend to perform Hajj or Umrah, scholars have different opinions:

1. – According to Imam Abu Hanifa, one cannot cross the Miqat without Ihram under any circumstances, whether intending Hajj or Umrah or not.
2. – Imam Shafi holds that if there is no intention of Hajj or Umrah, it is permissible to cross the Miqat without Ihram.
3. – According to Imam Malik, if one has no intention of Hajj or Umrah and frequently crosses the Miqat, then passing without Ihram is allowed. But if the crossing is occasional, wearing Ihram is necessary.
4. – Imam Ahmad states that if one is going to Makkah, they must enter Ihram regardless of intent.

Does a woman on her period also need to put on Ihram when crossing the Miqat?

Yes, a woman on her period must also enter into Ihram when crossing the Miqat. She will complete her Umrah after becoming pure, and only then can she exit the state of Ihram.

When should the intention(neyat) of Ihram be made?

It is better to pray the Ihram Nafl and then leave home.Men can wear unstitched clothes either at home or at the airport, but they should not make the intention (neyat)of Ihram yet. This is because if there is an issue with the flight or other travel problems, you will not be able to exit the restrictions of Ihram without performing Umrah. Therefore, it is best to make the neyat of Ihram after boarding the plane. Before the plane passes the Miqat, an announcement is made, and at that time, you should make the intention of Ihram.

How to perform umrah

Make the intention for Ihram and recite this dua.

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah.

 اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّی

“O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.”

After reciting the dua, recite the Talbiyah three times and continue engaging in remembrance and supplications until you reach the Haram.

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ.

(I am here at Your service, O Allah, I am here. I am here, there is no partner for You, I am here. Indeed, all praise, blessings, and sovereignty belong to You. There is no partner for You.)

After making the intention, you are now in the state of Ihram, and all the rules of Ihram will apply to you. While reciting Talbiyah and sending blessings upon the Prophet (Darood), enter the Haram. Upon reaching your hotel in Makkah, if you are unable to perform Umrah immediately due to travel fatigue, there is no issue in taking some rest. After resting and refreshing yourself, proceed to Masjid al-Haram. While reciting Talbiyah, zikr, and sending blessings upon the Prophet, reach the mosque. Upon entering the Masjid al-Haram, recite the supplication for entering the mosque.

بِسْمِ اللهِ ❁ اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ❁ اللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ ❁

In the name of Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad ﷺ. O Allah, forgive me and open for me the doors of Your Mercy.

Walk towards the Mataf (the open area around the Kaaba) with your gaze lowered. Try to catch your first glimpse of the Kaaba after reaching the courtyard. As you get close to the Kaaba, lift your gaze and look at it with reverence. At that moment, make a heartfelt supplication because the first glance at the Kaaba is a special moment when prayers are accepted.

Imam Abu Hanifa I would use this opportunity to make du’a to Allah that he be among those whose supplications are always accepted.

اَللَّهُمَّ زِدْ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَعْظِيماً وَتَكْرِيماً وَمَهَابَةً ❁ وَزِدْ مَنْ شَرَّفَهُ وَكَرَّمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّهُ أَوْ اعْتَمَرَهُ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَكْرِيماً وَتَعْظِيماً وَبِرّاً 

Allah, increase this House in honour, esteem, respect and reverence. And increase those who honour and respect it—of those who perform Hajj or Umrah—in honour, respect, esteem and piety.

The method of performing Tawaf

Before starting Tawaf, make the intention for Tawaf and, if desired, recite this dua.

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ طَوَافَ بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي ❁

O Allah, I intend to perform Tawaf of your Sacred House, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.

Start Tawaf from Hajr-e-Aswad,

where a green light is displayed to make it easier to identify Hajr-e-Aswad. Perform Istilam (gesture of respect) by raising both hands towards Hajr-e-Aswad and reciting بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ (Bismillah Allahu Akbar) and then kissing your hands. Start walking in an anti-clockwise direction around the Kaaba. During the first three circuits of Tawaf, men should walk briskly (Raml), but only if it doesn’t inconvenience others, especially in crowded areas.

Remember, it is necessary to be in a state of Wudu for Tawaf. At Rukn-e-Yamani, perform Istilam in the same manner. Upon reaching Hajr-e-Aswad again, one circuit (round) is completed. During Tawaf, recite the duas that you remember from the Quran and Hadith. If you don’t remember any in Arabic, you can make duas in your mother tongue. Ask for forgiveness and for the well-being of both this world and the Hereafter, as duas made during Tawaf are accepted. If you wish, you can also recite this dua:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ❁

O our Lord, grant us the good of this world, the good of the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the fire.

Continue this process for seven circuits, performing Istilam at Hajr-e-Aswad each time. After completing the final circuit, perform Istilam again and then exit the area.

Pray Two rakat front of Maqam e Ibrahim.

After completing the Tawaf, pray two rakats of prayer near the Maqam-e-Ibrahim. While moving to the place where you intend to perform the two rak’ahs, it is recommended to audibly recite the following:

وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى ❁

And take the Maqam Ibrahim as a place of salah.
[Surah al-Baqarah, 2:125]

If there is no space near Maqam-e-Ibrahim, you can pray anywhere in the Mataf area. In the first rak’ah, recite Surah Al-Kafirun, and in the second rak’ah, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas.

Drinking zamzam

After performing the Tawaf and praying the two rakats, drink Zamzam water to your fill. In the Haram, coolers with water are placed in various locations. Stand facing the Kaaba while drinking the water and make dua. According to a hadith, Zamzam water is for whatever purpose it is drunk.

Multazam

If it is possible to reach the Multazam, raise your hands above your head, cling to the wall and press your chest and cheeks against it. It is a sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and yet another station where supplications are accepted, so you should lengthen your du’a here.If you can’t reach the Multazam due to the crowds, you may face it and supplicate from a distance.

Sai between safa and marwa

After drinking Zamzam water, enter from the Safa Gate and proceed to the area of Safa. Stand at Safa, face the Qibla, and perform Istilam. Then proceed towards Marwah, performing Ramal (brisk walking) between the green lights, and once past them, continue walking normally. When you reach Marwah, perform Istilam again. Complete seven rounds in total—one round from Safa to Marwah and another round from Marwah back to Safa. The final round ends at Marwah,

where you perform Istilam. After completing the Sa’i, pray two rakats of Nafl prayer.

Halaq and taqseer

Now, to come out of your Ihram, it is preferable for men to shave their heads (Halaq) or taqseer, while women should trim their hair equal to the length of a fingertip. After this, your Umrah is complete. May Allah accept your Umrah. You are now free from the restrictions of Ihram.