The word “Umrah” means “to visit a populated place,” which refers to the Holy Ka’aba in Makkah. Umrah is a special and sacred journey that holds deep spiritual significance for Muslims. It is not compulsory like Hajj, but it is highly recommended. It’s a very soulful journey that allows Muslims to renew their faith, seek forgiveness, and strengthen their connection with Allah. If you are planning to perform Umrah, especially in Ramadan, it is important to understand its rituals. This guide will help you learn about the steps of Umrah and the benefits of booking with Umrah Murshad to make your journey easier and more comfortable.
Steps of Performing Umrah
1. Wearing Ihram from Miqat (Entering the State of Purity)
Before starting Umrah, pilgrims enter the state of Ihram, which signifies purity and devotion. Men wear two white, unstitched clothes, one wrapped around the waist and the other draped over the shoulder, while women wear modest clothing that covers their entire body except for the face and hands. As they prepare for Umrah, pilgrims make the intention (niyyah) to perform the pilgrimage, signifying their devotion and submission to Allah. They then begin reciting the Talbiyah, a powerful declaration of faith:
This means, “Here I am, O Allah, here I am! There is no partner with you; here I am! Surely, all praise and blessings belong to You, and all sovereignty is Yours. You have no partner.” This continuous recitation serves as a reminder of the pilgrim’s purpose and dedication to Allah as they embark on this sacred journey.
2. Tawaf (Walking Around the Holy Ka’aba)
After entering the state of Ihram, pilgrims go to Masjid al-Haram to perform Tawaf. They stop reciting the Talbiyah once Tawaf begins. Tawaf means walking seven times around the Ka’aba in a counterclockwise direction. Each Tawaf starts and ends at the Black Stone (Hajr-e-Aswad), with the right foot stepping forward first.
This ritual reminds Muslims of the angels who circle Allah’s heavenly house, al-Bayt al-Ma’mur. Male pilgrims must uncover their right shoulder by placing the Rida (upper cloth) under their right arm and draping the lower part over the left shoulder during Tawaf.
3. Sa’i (Walking Between Safa and Marwah Hills)
After completing Tawaf, pilgrims go to Masaa’, the area for Sa’i. This ritual commemorates the struggle of Hazrat Hagar (Hajra), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times searching for water for her son, Prophet Ismail (AS). Walk between these two hills gives pilgrims time for self-reflection and a deeper connection with their faith.
Pilgrims begin Sa’i by climbing Safa Hill, where they try to see the Ka’aba and raise their hands to make Dua (supplications) with love, devotion, and respect. They then walk down Safa Hill and head toward Marwa Hill. When they reach the two green pillars, male pilgrims must run between them, while women can walk at a normal pace.
Upon reaching the top of Marwa Hill, pilgrims again face the Ka’aba, make Dua, and then descend. This process of walking between Safa and Marwa continues until they complete seven rounds. Each round is about 450 meters long, so pilgrims must prepare themselves physically and spiritually for the journey.
Men must keep their shoulders covered when performing Sa’i. The seventh round ends at Marwa Hill. After completion of Sa’i, pilgrims pray two Rak’ahs of Nafl in Masjid al-Haram. When leaving the Holy Mosque, they step out with their left foot.
4. Shaving Head (Halq) or Clipping or Shortening Hair (Taqsir)
The final step of the sacred pilgrimage is shaving or trimming the hair in Mina. Male pilgrims must shave their heads completely, while female pilgrims only need to trim a small portion of their hair. This act represents humility and detachment from physical appearance. After this, pilgrims exit the state of Ihram, and all restrictions are lifted, thus marking the completion of Umrah.
Spiritual Significance of Umrah
● Forgiveness of sins: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The performance of Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one.” (Sahih al-Bukhari) ● Strengthening faith: It brings believers closer to Allah and increases their devotion. ● Equal status: Ihram removes distinctions of wealth, race, and status, promoting unity among Muslims.
Wrapping up
Embarking on the Umrah journey is a rare and special blessing, as not everyone gets the opportunity to visit the House of Allah. Performing Umrah with sincerity brings countless blessings, and it serves as a reminder of life’s purpose, to worship Allah and strive for righteousness.
Pilgrims choosing Ramadan Umrah Packages or Muharram Umrah Packages will experience a deeply spiritual and rewarding journey. These packages not only allow pilgrims to perform Umrah during the blessed month of Ramadan but also ensure a stress-free experience by handling logistics and providing expert guidance.
Selecting the right Umrah package with Umrah Murshad ensures a smooth and seamless pilgrimage, allowing pilgrims to focus entirely on their spiritual devotion.
Performing Umrah: A Divine Journey
What is Umrah?
The word “Umrah” means “to visit a populated place,” which refers to the Holy Ka’aba in Makkah. Umrah is a special and sacred journey that holds deep spiritual significance for Muslims. It is not compulsory like Hajj, but it is highly recommended. It’s a very soulful journey that allows Muslims to renew their faith, seek forgiveness, and strengthen their connection with Allah. If you are planning to perform Umrah, especially in Ramadan, it is important to understand its rituals. This guide will help you learn about the steps of Umrah and the benefits of booking with Umrah Murshad to make your journey easier and more comfortable.
Steps of Performing Umrah
1. Wearing Ihram from Miqat (Entering the State of Purity)
Before starting Umrah, pilgrims enter the state of Ihram, which signifies purity and devotion. Men wear two white, unstitched clothes, one wrapped around the waist and the other draped over the shoulder, while women wear modest clothing that covers their entire body except for the face and hands. As they prepare for Umrah, pilgrims make the intention (niyyah) to perform the pilgrimage, signifying their devotion and submission to Allah. They then begin reciting the Talbiyah, a powerful declaration of faith:
“Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka Laa Shareeka Laka Labbayk, Innal Hamda, Wan-Ni’mata, Laka Wal-Mulk, Laa Shareeka Lak.”
This means, “Here I am, O Allah, here I am! There is no partner with you; here I am! Surely, all praise and blessings belong to You, and all sovereignty is Yours. You have no partner.” This continuous recitation serves as a reminder of the pilgrim’s purpose and dedication to Allah as they embark on this sacred journey.
2. Tawaf (Walking Around the Holy Ka’aba)
After entering the state of Ihram, pilgrims go to Masjid al-Haram to perform Tawaf. They stop reciting the Talbiyah once Tawaf begins. Tawaf means walking seven times around the Ka’aba in a counterclockwise direction. Each Tawaf starts and ends at the Black Stone (Hajr-e-Aswad), with the right foot stepping forward first.
This ritual reminds Muslims of the angels who circle Allah’s heavenly house, al-Bayt al-Ma’mur. Male pilgrims must uncover their right shoulder by placing the Rida (upper cloth) under their right arm and draping the lower part over the left shoulder during Tawaf.
3. Sa’i (Walking Between Safa and Marwah Hills)
After completing Tawaf, pilgrims go to Masaa’, the area for Sa’i. This ritual commemorates the struggle of Hazrat Hagar (Hajra), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times searching for water for her son, Prophet Ismail (AS). Walk between these two hills gives pilgrims time for self-reflection and a deeper connection with their faith.
Pilgrims begin Sa’i by climbing Safa Hill, where they try to see the Ka’aba and raise their hands to make Dua (supplications) with love, devotion, and respect. They then walk down Safa Hill and head toward Marwa Hill. When they reach the two green pillars, male pilgrims must run between them, while women can walk at a normal pace.
Upon reaching the top of Marwa Hill, pilgrims again face the Ka’aba, make Dua, and then descend. This process of walking between Safa and Marwa continues until they complete seven rounds. Each round is about 450 meters long, so pilgrims must prepare themselves physically and spiritually for the journey.
Men must keep their shoulders covered when performing Sa’i. The seventh round ends at Marwa Hill. After completion of Sa’i, pilgrims pray two Rak’ahs of Nafl in Masjid al-Haram. When leaving the Holy Mosque, they step out with their left foot.
4. Shaving Head (Halq) or Clipping or Shortening Hair (Taqsir)
The final step of the sacred pilgrimage is shaving or trimming the hair in Mina. Male pilgrims must shave their heads completely, while female pilgrims only need to trim a small portion of their hair. This act represents humility and detachment from physical appearance. After this, pilgrims exit the state of Ihram, and all restrictions are lifted, thus marking the completion of Umrah.
Spiritual Significance of Umrah
● Forgiveness of sins: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The performance of
Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
● Strengthening faith: It brings believers closer to Allah and increases their devotion.
● Equal status: Ihram removes distinctions of wealth, race, and status, promoting
unity among Muslims.
Wrapping up
Embarking on the Umrah journey is a rare and special blessing, as not everyone gets the opportunity to visit the House of Allah. Performing Umrah with sincerity brings countless blessings, and it serves as a reminder of life’s purpose, to worship Allah and strive for righteousness.
Pilgrims choosing Ramadan Umrah Packages or Muharram Umrah Packages will experience a deeply spiritual and rewarding journey. These packages not only allow pilgrims to perform Umrah during the blessed month of Ramadan but also ensure a stress-free experience by handling logistics and providing expert guidance.
Selecting the right Umrah package with Umrah Murshad ensures a smooth and seamless pilgrimage, allowing pilgrims to focus entirely on their spiritual devotion.
Archives
Recent Post
Categories