Umrah:
The Umrah is a sacred journey to Makkah which is performed by Muslims that can be done at any time of the year except for 5 days of Hajj. In the Arabic language, the word Umrah means "to visit a populated spot". In the Sharia, Umrah intends to perform Tawaf round the Kaaba and Sa'i between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, after wearing Ihram, either from a Miqat like Qarnu ' l-Manāzil, Zu 'l-Hulafa, Ibrahīm Mursīa, Yalamlam, Zāt-I-'Irq, Juhfa, or a place in Hill. It is also called the 'lesser pilgrimage' or 'minor pilgrimage' and the Hajj is called 'major pilgrimage' but Hajj is mandatory for each physically fit Muslim who can manage the cost of it. The Umrah isn't mandatory but it is a great Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Nowadays, many UK travel agencies are offering different packages for Umrah but we should only trust on such agency which is protected by ATOL. We can get Umrah Packages 2020 from such travel agency.
Umrah consists of 4 parts:
1- Ihram
2- Tawaf
3- Sa’i
4- Halq/Taqsir
Ihram:
Ihram is an essential dress to perform Umrah. For the Ihram, Muslims must change garments and take a proper bath (ghusl). Ihram dress is different for men and women.
Ihram for men:
Men wear two unsewn white sheets in which one sheet is used to cover the upper body (it is called Ridaa) and the second sheet is used to cover the lower body (it is called Izaar).
Ihram for women:
Women do not wear the unsewn sheets rather women can wear the normal dress which they wear in the usual life but it is better for her to cover this dress by an Abbaya. The color of Abbaya is not mattered there but most women wear the black color or white color Abbayas.
After wearing Ihram, Muslims should offer the two rakats of prayers. In the state Ihram, Pilgrim cannot use perfume or perfumed products.
Pilgrims must recite these words for Umrah:
“Labbayk Allaahumma bi ‘Umrah”
After the reciting of the above words, the pilgrim should recite the Talbiyah.
Talbiyah:
“Labbaika Allaahumma labbaik, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbaik. Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak”
Muslim men should recite it loudly and Muslim women should not recite it loudly.
Tawaf:
Muslim starts his/her Tawaf with the touch of Black Stone (Hajr e Aswad). In simple words, the Muslim should touch it with his right hand and then kiss it. If Muslim can't kiss it directly, he/she can touch it with his/her hand then kiss his/her hand. if Pilgrim can't even touch the Hajre Aswad with his/her hand then pilgrim should face his/her hand in the direction of the Hajre Aswad and say “Allahu Akbar”.
Actually, Tawf consists of seven circles around the Kaaba in the direction of anti-clockwise. The action of touching the Black stone would be repeated at every circle.
During the Tawaf; Ramal step is prescribed for men and it isn’t prescribed for women.
Ramal:
During Tawaf, men should complete their first three rounds of Tawaf with fast speed and they should complete their reaming last 4 rounds with normal speed.
After the performing of Tawaf: Muslim should perform two rakaat of nafals in front of Maqam e Ibrahim but it is not necessary for women because they can perform it in any corner of Msajid al Haram due to the rush of men.
Sa’i:
Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Mecca) are of the Symbols of Allah” (Surah Baqarah: 158)
The Pilgrims run between two hills of Safa and Marawa which is located in Al-Haram mosque. They run seven times between two hills. Muslims women should complete this part of Umrah with normal speed. The running track is marked by green lights.
Halq/Taqsir:
This is a last ritual of Umrah after that pilgrim leaves the state of Ihram. Halq means shaving the head entirely and it is preferable to men whereas Taqsir means cutting the hair shortly as one inch and it is preferable to women.
Hopefully; this article may be helped to perform Umrah.
