How to Perform Umrah with Proper Guidelines

Perform Umrah with Proper Guidelines

The sacred journey of Umrah is a great spiritual experience that gives Muslims the opportunity to approach Allah and purify their souls. While not obligatory as Hajj, this pilgrimage is worthy of reward and great significance for those who undertake it with sincerity and devotion. It is important to follow the right steps from Ihram to Tawaf to complete the Umrah in a smooth and meaningful way as well as as per the prescribed guidelines.

The first step to start your journey is to get an Umrah Visa that allows pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. The first step of your journey in the holy city of Makkah is Ihram, which is a state of spiritual purity. Read this guide to go through each step of Umrah rituals and perform them properly and experience the spiritual essence of this blessed journey.

Step 1: Obtaining Your Umrah Visa

First is to book a Umrah Visa. This special visa grants pilgrims entry into Saudi Arabia specifically for Umrah. This is to ensure a smooth process and it is to apply through authorized travel agencies or the official online portal. Check the most recent needs, for instance, immunization provisions, the authority of a section, or some other travel records. After approval, book your flights and accommodation in Makkah and Madinah. This will allow you to concentrate solely on the spiritual aspects of Umrah without any logistical issues.

Step 2: Enter the state of Ihram

Umrah is marked by the sacred state of Ihram. It indicates the pilgrim’s humility and dedication before Allah. Here’s how to prepare:

1. Preparing for Ihram

Purification Bath (Ghusl): Wash yourself or do wudu (ablution).
Women: Wear two white, seamless garments (Rida for the upper body, Izar for the lower body).
Modest and loose fitting clothing that covers the body, with the exception of the face and hands is worn by women.

2. Intention (Niyyah)

It is obligatory for the pilgrims to make intention for Umrah before crossing the Miqat boundary and the intention is said as follows:

“Labbaik Allahumma Umrah” (O Allah, here I am for Umrah).

3. Reciting the Talbiyah

It is recommended to start reciting Talbiyah continuously until one gets to Makkah.

“Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka La Shareeka Laka Labbayk, Innal Hamda, Wannimata Laka Wal Mulk, La Shareeka Lak.”

4. Prohibited Acts in Ihram

Some of the prohibitions when in ihram include:

Cutting nails or hair
Applying perfume or scented products
Engaging in marital relations
Fighting or arguing
Hunting or harming animals

Step 3: Entering Makkah and Performing Tawaf

When arriving at the Masjid al-Haram, the pilgrims should be humble and thankful to be able to perform the rites. The first of the rites performed in Makkah is Tawaf, where one has to walk around the Kaaba.

1. Beginning from the Black Stone (Kaba’s Hajr-e-Aswad)

If you can, kiss the Black Stone; if not, try to touch the Stone with your hand or wave your hand toward it.
Recite ‘Bismillah Allahu Akbar’ before starting Tawaf.

2. Performing Tawaf (Circumambulation)

Perform Tawaf which is to walk seven times around the Kaaba in an anti-clockwise direction.
In the first round men should go at a fast pace, while the next three rounds should be done at a slow pace that is Raml and the last four rounds at a normal pace.

3. Supplications During Tawaf

Read prayers and individual supplications during Tawaf.

As for Rukn al-Yamani and Hajr-e-Aswad, recite:

“Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.” (O our Lord! O Allah, make for us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.)

4. Praying at Maqam Ibrahim

You should then pray two Rakats at Maqam Ibrahim if there is enough space to do so after performing Tawaf.
In the first rakat, recite Surah Al-Kafirun and in the second rakat recite Surah Al-Ikhlas.

Step 4: Performing Sa’i Between Safa and Marwah

After Tawaf, the pilgrims perform Sa’i, running between the Safa and Marwa hills in commemoration of the running between the two hills by Hajar (AS).

Beginning at Safa: Facing the Kaaba, you should recite:

“Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.” (Quran 2:158)

Walking between Safa and Marwah:

Walk seven (each one of them counts as one).
Sprint between the two green cones (for males only).

Duas and Supplications: Recite prayers and personal supplications throughout.

Step 5 : Halq or Taqsir which involves shaving or trimming of hair.

The last rite of Umrah is Halq (shaving) or Taqsir (trimming) as a sign of the renewal of the Muslim.

1. Halq (Shaving) for Men

The best way of shaving is for the man to shave his head bald as this depicts total submission.
It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) offered three Rakat for those who shaved their heads and one Rakat for those who trimmed it.

2. Taqsir (Trimming) for Men

If shaving is not acceptable, then the man should cut at least one inch of hair from all over the head.

3. Taqsir for Women

It is also important for women to shave a small portion of their hair to finish their Umrah; it should be an inch.

Step 6: Completing Umrah

That is why when the hair is cut, the Umrah is considered to be over. This means that the pilgrims can come out of the state of Ihram and spend some more time in Makkah worshipping. It is also common to find people performing Umrah and spending some more days in Madinah to pray at the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi).

By following the above steps, one is able to perform the Umrah in the most appropriate way possible. May Allah accept your pilgrimage and multiply it for you a hundred times. Ameen!

Conclusion:

Umrah is an act of worship that is considered to be very rewarding, as it enables Muslims to seek the blessings of Allah in order to enhance their faith. Thus, through performing the right way of entering Ihram, performing Tawaf and Sa’i, the Umrah can be done in the right manner. Every move starting from the intention of shaving or trimming the hair is considered as a purifying process and a surrender to the will of Allah. If properly prepared and understood, the process of travelling is not a mere tradition but a transformational process.

It is also important that you have your Umrah Visa and all travel preparations done before you plan on going for the trip. Preparation for Umrah should not be a cause of stress; it should be done well in advance so as to allow one concentrate on the spiritual aspect of the journey. May Allah accept your deeds, make it easy for you to perform this worship and reward you with immense blessings. Ameen!