Travel guide & blogs

How to perform Umrah

Umrah is known to be the minor Hajj and is a Sunnah act performed at any time of the year except for the five days of Hajj, in which it is makrooh, or disliked, to perform Umrah.

 

1. Before setting off from home

 

• Make Ghusl (full body wash)
• Trim your nails, and remove your pubic hair.
• Whatever Salah is due at the time of travel, ensure it has been prayed in full before setting off
• Read 2 rakaats of Travelling Salah before setting off
• When going out of your house/hotel, say:

 

Bismillahi, Tawakkaltu, 'a lallahi, walaahawlawalaaquwattaillahbillah

(In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might nor power except with Allah)

Read Du'aa of Travelling, before

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Subhaa nalathee, Sakha ra la naa ha thaawamaakunaa, lahumuq ri nee nawainnaailaarabbinaa la mun qa le boon

(Allah is the greatest x3, How perfect He is, The One Who has place this (transport) at our service, and we ourselves wouldnot have been capable of that, and to our Lord if our final destiny.)

At a journey break, you may say:

A'uthoo bi kalimaatillaah hitammaati min sharrimaakhalaq

(I take refuge in Allaah's perfect words from the evil that He has created.)

NB.During your journey keep yourself in the remembrance of Allah (make dhikr, make dua, read Quran, read Islamic Book etc.).Remember this is the start of your journey to the House of Allah, and you have been given an invitation from M�lik Al Mulk(Owner and King of all Kingdoms), so Praise and Glorify Him. Once you are a traveler (having left your areas of residence), and the next Salah is due, you can combine and shorten them asthis is a concession from Allah.

 

• Dhur (2 Rakaats) &Asr (2 Rakaats) together
• Maghrib (3 Rakaats) &Ishaa (2 Rakaats) together
• Read as many Sunnah/Nawafil as you like, there is no restriction.

 

2. Before passing the Meeqat � (the place where the Umrah starts, and one enters the state of Ihram)

When going to Jeddah by an airplane, it is convenient to get into the status of Ihram inside the plane. Here is what you do. Do everything mentioned above at home or at the airport except Niyyah (intention) and Talbiyah which is done at or before the boundary line called Meeqat

Go to the airplane and sit down with the white sheets on (if wearing Ihram already). In a Hajj flight when you are close to Miqat, the pilot will announce that this is the border line to make your intention and to say Talbiyah. Those who did not change their clothes before should do so now although it is not convenient inside the plane. Please note that:

 

• It is a good idea to ask at the time of boarding if the arrival of Miqat will be announced by the pilot. If not, make your intention and say Talbiyah on your own approximately one hour before you reach Jeddah.
• If you are flying with a group, follow the instructions of the group leader.
• Men to get changed into their Ihram (2 pieces of white cloth), preferably after one of the 5 daily prayers
• Make niyyah (intention) for Umrah

 

LabbaikAllaahumma 'Umrah'

(Here I am O Allah making 'Umrah)

If one fears that they are likely to be subjected to illness or anything else that might obstruct their Umrah, one may add thefollowing, by doing so if one cannot complete the Umrah for whatever reason; then they simply cut their hair and do nothave to pay the ransom.

Allaahummamahilleehaithuhabastanee

(I come out of the state of Ihram from the place you prevent me from continuing).

Make the Talbiyah (men to raise their voices) and continue making the Talbiyah until you reach the Kaba and start your Tawaf

LabbaykAllahummalabbayk, labbaykalaashareekalakalabbayk,innal hamda wan ni'matalakawal mulk, laashareekalak

(Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner. Here I am.Surely all praise, grace and dominion is yours, and you have no partner.)

3. Entering Masjid Al Haram (in Makkah, Saudi Arabia)

 

• Enter with your right foot
• Make duaa of the Masjid

 

Bismillahi, Allallhummasalli 'alaamuhammadinwasallim allaahummaaftah lee abwaabarahmatika

(In the name of Allaah! O Allaah! Exalt the mention of your Messenger. O Allah! Forgive my sins, and open the gates ofyour mercy for me).

4. Tawaf (7 rounds around the Ka'bah) ? You must be in Wudu (ablution)

Men to leave their right shoulder bare ONLY during the entire Tawaf, this is called Idtiba'a, after the tawaf men need tocover both shoulders.

 

Start at the Black Stone, either

 

• Kiss it if you can, if not
• Touch it with your right hand, if not
• Face the Black Stone and point at it with your right hand

 

Say Bismillah, Allahu Akbar (just before kissing it/or just before or whilst touching/pointing)

For men, to Raml (hasten/briskly walk) during the first 3 rounds of Tawaf and walk normally during the other 4 rounds.

Once you reach the Yamani corner, either

Touch it with your right hand (do not kiss it), and say BimsillahAllahu Akbar

or if unable, then continue without gesturing or saying anything

From the Yamani corner to the Black Stone recite

Rabbanaaaatinaa fid dunyaahasanatanwa feel aakhiratihasanatanwaqinaa 'adhaabannaar

(Our Lord, grant us good in this life and good in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Hellfire.[Quran; 2:201])

Once you return back to the Black Stone, you have completed 1 round, and you need to repeat the above steps 6 more times.

NB.There is no specific duaa's that must be read during the Tawaf. Make as many supplications from your heart, for that whichwill benefit you. Recite whatever you wish, supplicate to Allaah by asking for good, recite the Quran, anything you wish.

5. After Completing Tawaf, proceed to Maqaam?e Ibraaheem (Prophet Ibraaheem's station)

Recite this verse (which means):

Wattakhidhoo min maqaamiibraaheemamusalla

(And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraheem as a place of Prayer. [Quran; 2:125])

Pray two short Rak'ahs, as close as conveniently possible behind Maqaam?e Ibraheem. If it is not possible then you can praythem anywhere in the sacred mosque.

It is preferred to recite during the first Rak'ah (after Surah Al Fatiha), Surah Al?Kafiroon and

during the second Rak'ah (after Surah Al Fatiha) Surah Al lkhlaas

6. Go to ZamZam Wells

 

• Make duaa before drinking
• Drink ZamZam water
• Pour water over your head
• Return to the Black Stone touch it with your right hand (as before), if it is not convenient do nothing, and proceed to do Sai.

 

7. Sai (7 circuits) having wudu is highly recommended, but not compulsory

As you leave the boundary of the Masjid, you can say (as prescribed for all Masaajid):

Bismillahi was salaatu was salaamu 'alaarasoolillahi,Allahum ma inee a' aluka min fadhlika, Allahum ma a'simneeminash shaitaanie rajeem

(In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allaah.OAllaah, I ask You from Your favour. O Allaah, guard from the accursed devil.)

Upon approaching Mount Safaa, the following ayaat (verse) is recited

Innas safaawalmarwata min sha'aa'irillaahifamanhajjalbaita 'awi'tamarafalaajanaaha 'alaihi an yattawwafabihimaawa man tatawwa'akhiranfa'innallaahashaakirun 'aleemun

(Verily, As Safaa and Al Marwah are from the symbols of Allaah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or 'Umrah ofthe house (ka 'bah) to perform the going (tawaaf) between them. And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah isthe All Recognizer, All Knower. [Quran; 2:158])

Abda'ubimaabada'Allahubihi

(I begin with what Allah began with.)

Then ascend upon Mount Safaa, face the Qiblah, raise your hands and recite 3 times:

Allaahuakbarallaahuakbarallaahuakbar

(Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.)

Laailaahailla Allah, WahdahulaaSharikalah, Lahul Mulk, Walahul Hamd, Wahuwa 'alaKullishay'inQadeer, Laailaahailla Allah, Anjazawa'dah, WaNasara 'abdah, Wahazam al Ahzabawahdah

(There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, Alone. He has no partner, To Him belongs the kingdom, & all praisebelongs to Him, & He has power above all things, There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, He fulfilled His promise,Granted victory to His servant, And alone He defeated the allied army.)

 

• Then you Praise Allah, Send Salaam upon Muhammad (sa) and then make as much personal Du'as as you like. Pray foranything from the goodness of this life and the next, pray for both yourself and others.
• Then descend from Mount Safaa and go walking towards Mount Marwah
• When you reach the green sign, men are to hasten their walk for a while, but do not run. Then return to your normal phaseof walk at the next green sign.
• Upon reaching Mount Marwah repeat the same procedure as when ascending Mount Safaa (face the Qibla, raise your handsand repeat what was said on Mount Safaa.) This completes one circuit.
• Continue and complete in total 7 circuits, ending the last one on Mount Marwah.

 

Enjoy the process. You've come all this way, open your heart in glorification and Dua to Allah!

NB.There are no particular supplications to be recited between Safaa and Marwah. It is up to the worshipper to praise Allah orsupplicate Him in his own words, or he may recite portions of the Our'an.

8. After Completing Sai, Trim/Cut the hair

It is recommended for men are to shave all their hair, but they can trim it all the way round

Women are to shorten their hair by a finger tip.

Now all Ihraam rules are lifted,and your Umrah is completed. May Allah accept your Umrah, Ameen!!

Sources

 

• Verifying & Explaining many matters of Hajj, Umrah&Ziyarah In the light of the Quran &Sunnah Abdul Aziz bin Abdullabin Baz (Darussalam)
• How the Prophet (s) Performed Hajj Abdul Aziz bin Abdulla bin Baz (Maktaba Darussalam, Publishers & Distributors Riyadh(K.S.A))
• A guide to Hajj, Umrah, & Visiting The Prophets Mosque Muhammad As Salih Al Uthaimeen (The ministry of Islamic affairs,endowments, daw'aj and guidance. Ridaydh)
• Hajj & Umrah made easy DrTaqi Hashmi and Adnan Malik (Al Hidaayah Publishing & Distribution)
• Getting the best out of Hajj, One day Seminar 2 DVD set Ismail Davids (Islam 1 Productions)
• The ultimate guide to Umrah (with special chapters on Umrah in Ramadan & Visiting Madinah) Ismail Davids (Darussalam)
• Getting the best out of Hajj (Pilgrimage) Ismail Davids (Darussalam)
• A Manual on the rites of Umrah, in light of the noble Quran and the authentic Sunnah Sa'eed bin 'Alee al Qahtaanee(Harraf&Harraf, Ilford, Essex)
• Umrah Leaflet Muhammad Alshareef (hajj.outstandingmuslim.com)
• Rites of Hajj &Umrah Muhammad Naasirud DeenAlbaani (International Islamic Publishing House)