Umrah is a very scared pilgrimage of Muslims, in which a few certain rituals are to be performed. A Muslim can go on Umrah at any time of the year. There is no specified time of it, although the Umrah performed in Ramadan is equal to Hajj. Still it is not a substitute of it.
This pilgrimage gives us a change to completely transform ourselves in to something that we are not. Following all the rites and rituals for Umrah, considering all the dos and don’ts, can make us a completely different person, only if we work for it earnestly.
The very first ritual is started when a pilgrim enters the state of ihram. Ihram is made of white cotton cloth, and has two pieces. It is prohibited to wear a stitched cloth in ihram, for men. Women can wear any kind of conservative clothes they want. In Saudi Arabia, it is compulsory for women to wear the religious hijab, that is to wear abaya and niqab.
Pilgrims are forbidden from wearing gloves or socks while in the state of ihram. Men are even prohibited from covering their heads in all circumstances. Even they are forbidden from travelling in a transport vehicle that is covered. After entering the state of ihram, a pilgrim reaches Makkah, and now has to go round the holy Ka’aba seven times. This ritual is known as Tawaaf. During tawaaf the holy Ka’aba and the Black Stone is to be kept at the right of the pilgrim while he or she walks. The black stone is to be touched and kissed, but if it is not possible because of the crown, then the pilgrim will only have to point at it with the index finger of their right hand.
As the tawaaf is completed, the pilgrim goes forth to the mount Safaa ad mount Marwah for the ritual called Sa’i. The pilgrims have to climb the mount Safa till the holy Ka’aba is visible, descend and then walk towards the mount Marwah, and vice versa. One walk from the mount safa to mount marwah is considered as one. The walk from mount marwah to the mount safa is the second. This process is also to be completed seven times. Women can only walk between the two sacred mountains if climbing them is not possible.
Then the pilgrims can go off to the fountain of the pure and sacred water that is known all over the world as Zam-Zam. This water is beneficial and advantageous and is like no water could ever be. After completing the Sa’i, the pilgrim has to release himself form the sacred state of ihram. This is done by the cutting or trimming of hair. Men have to cut their hair or completely shave their heads. Women however, only have to cut their hair only about an inch or so. With this the Umrah is completed. Is it said that if a person completes Umrah once, and then after some time, does it again, all the minor sins done by him or her are forgiven.
Step by Step Umrah Guide
The short prayer that a pilgrim has to recite before starting the Tawaaf is, “In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. O Allah! Having faith in you, confirming the truthfulness of Your Holy Book, fulfilling Your promise and following the Sunnah of Your Prophet (peace be upon him)”. After this niyat, the pilgrim starts to walk. The first three rounds should be completed quickly and the last four slowly. While circling the Holy Ka’aba, a pilgrim has to touch the Black Stone and if possible, kiss the stone too. If the place is too crowded and the pilgrim cannot kiss the Black Stone, one should kiss his hand and touch the Black Stone.
Men have to expose only their right shoulder by tucking their robes under their right armpit.The Tawaaf is a very sacred experience during which Muslims have an amazing opportunity to express their love and devotion to Allah almighty, as compared to all their regular life. The mind of the pilgrim should be only on the Greatest Creator, while performing the Tawaaf. A pilgrim should not be thinking about the worldly affairs. All the thoughts of the pilgrim should be pure. Pilgrims, most of the time, offer oral praises as they do the Tawaaf. The oral prayers said are, “Labbayka Allaahumma Labbayk. Labbayka Laa Shareeka Laka Labbayk.” “My God, I have responded to You. I have responded to You, and I proclaim that there is no other god besides You; I have responded to You” Innal Ha a, Wan Ne’mata. Lakawal Mulk. La Shareeka Lak “For You alone is All The Praise and All The Bounty, and for You alone is The Sovereignty. You have no partners.”
Then comes the ritual of Sa’i. It is when the pilgrims walk back and forth between the mount Safaa and the mount Marwa. Starting from the mount Safaa, a pilgrim completes a total of seven circuits, making a total of four stops at each mount. At each stop, the pilgrim must recite, “Allahu Akbar! (repeated three times) Laa ilaaha illa Allah wahdahu laa shareeka lah. Lahul-Mulku walahul- Hamdu wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shay’in Qadeer. Laa ilaaha illa Allahu wahdahu, Shadaqa Wa’adahu, wa nasara ‘abadahu wa hazamal-Ahzaaba wahdah.”
Translated: “There is no god but Allah. He is One and has no partner, to Him is the dominion and all praise is due to Him. We are returning, repenting, worshipping, prostrating, and to Allah we are very grateful. Allah is true to His promise, He gave victory to His servant and defeated the confederates all by Himself.” One must walk at a fast pace and avoid talking to one another while walking between the two sacred mounts.
At this point, the pilgrims at the mount Marwah have their heads shaved or cut as a symbol of “renewed” state. Men shave their heads. Trimming their hair is also allowed but shaving is considered much better. Women only have to trim their hair by only an inch. The pilgrims, after getting their hair trimmed, are released from the state of ihram. They can change to their normal clothing and assume their normal behavior. Even after they are released from the state of ihram, they have to keep a humble and pure mindset as long as they are in Makkah.
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