Umrâh is one of the important rituals in Islâm and has been performed from its inception. The Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam said: "Accumulated sins are expiated with each Umrâh.

Preparation for Umrâh:

• Umrâh may be performed at any time of the year.

• Umrâh performed during Ramadân is considered equal to performing Hajj and offers the same rewards.

• Nevertheless, performing Umrâh during Ramadan is not a substitute for Hajj, the performance of which is mandatory (Fard) for all Muslims at least once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able.

To perform Umrâh, you should be in a state of Ihram. Ihram is a state of purity and holiness. A man in Ihram is called Muhrim; a woman is called Muhrima.

The word Ihram is also used to denote the garment worn by pilgrims when in the state of Ihram. Men garb themselves in a white, seamless, two-piece garment. The top garment covers the torso but, during Umrâh and Hajj, not necessarily the right shoulder. The lower garment covers from waist to knee. Women wear long white robes which cover them from head to toe. All wear sandals, rather than shoes.

To enter Ihram, pilgrims must wash themselves. A man may trim his hair and cut his nails. During Ihram, sexual activity, shaving, and cutting one's nails or skin all are forbidden. There are also prohibitions against killing animals, except those that can harm people, fighting or quarrelling, using perfumes, washing hair with shampoo, wearing gloves or socks, or uprooting oats or trees. Those who do these knowingly or unknowingly or by forgetting have to pay a penalty by sacrificing an animal or giving alms.

Miqât:

There are five places some distance from the Makkah which pilgrims must not cross before they are in a state of Ihram if they intend to enter al Masjid al Haram for Umrâh or Hajj. These points or stations are called Miqât's. For map, see Location of Miqât's

Dhûl Hulayfah:

This Miqât is about 9 kilometres from Al Madînah and about 520 kilometres from Makkah. Dhûl Hulayfah is the Miqât for those who live in Al Madînah and for those who approach Makkah from that direction.

Juhfah:

This Miqât is about 180 kilometres to the northwest of Makkah. This is the Miqât for the people who come from the direction of Syria.

Qarn al-Manazil:  

This Miqât is a hilly place about 50 kilometres to the east of Makkah. This is the Miqât for the people of Nejd or for those coming from that direction.

Dhât Iraq:

This Miqât is about 80 kilometres towards the northeast side of Makkah. This is the Miqât for the people of Iran, Iraq and for those coming from that direction.

Yalamlam:

This Miqât is a hilly area about 60 kilometres to the southeast of Makkah. This is the Miqât for the people of Yemen and others coming from that direction. It is the Miqât for many of the pilgrims from China, Japan, India, Pakistan who come by ship.

The area outside the Haram, the holy land on which the City of Makkah stands, is called al-Hill. Muslims who enter the Haram area on business or for other purposes need not do the ihram before entering the Holy City of Makkah unless they have the intention to perform Umrâh or Hajj. Muslims coming to Makkah with the intention of performing Umrâh or Hajj must not cross a Miqât without first entering into the state of Ihram, unless they live within the area between Miqât and the Haram. In this case they do Ihram either at home or just before entering the Haram area.

Rituals of Umrâh:

Ihram:

When performing Umrâh, before entering t Makkah, you should be in Ihram. Enter Al Masjid al Haram, preferably right foot first through the Bab As-Salam, reciting the Talbiyah:

'Here I am O Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, (in response to Your call), here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.'

You may then say: "In the name of Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. O Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, forgive me my sins and open to me the doors of Your mercy. I seek refuge in Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala and in His Eminent Face and in His Eternal Dominion over the accursed Satan."

When you first see the Ka'bah, keep your eyes fixed on this the holiest of all structures in Islâm. Standing to one side, proclaim:

"Allâhu Akbar" three times
"La ilâha illallâh" three times

Then proclaim a blessing (Salawat) on the beloved Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam and, in all humility, make your Salât to Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. This is an especially propitious time to offer Salât to the Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.

You may recite some other similar Ayât if you so desire.

After this, while uttering Talbiyah once more and repeatedly, move forward to prepare for the circumambulation of the Ka'bah (Tawâf).

To prepare for the Tawâf, the pilgrim must ensure ablutions have been performed. The pilgrim should pass the upper garment of the Ihram (the Ridâ') under the right arm and over the left shoulder, thus leaving the right shoulder bare. This procedure is called iddtibaa'.

When you reach the Black Stone (al-Hagar al-Aswad), you have arrived at the starting point for the circumambulation (Tawâf), and you may cease reciting the Talbiyah.

Niyah:

 You are now ready to perform Niyah (i.e. express your intention to perform Umrâh):

"O Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, I perform Tawâf of Umrâh to please You. Make it easy for me and accept it from me."

Istilam:

Now, moving right, if space permits, stand before the Black Stone and kiss it. If you are unable to move close enough to kiss the Black Stone, you may touch it with by hand. If you are unable to kiss or touch the Black Stone, place your hands at your ears, palms facing outwards, and say:

"Bismillah Allâhu Akbar wa li'Lah Al-Hamad"

This alternative is perfectly acceptable so there is no need for pushing or shoving which may harm yourself or others if you are not able to reach the Black Stone.

This act, whether you kiss the Black Stone, touch it by hand or utter a prayer while pointing by the palm of your hands towards the Black Stone is called Istilam.

Tawâf:

You may now begin your seven circumambulations, moving to the right so that you keep the Ka'bah to your left, counter-clockwise, around the Ka'bah.

When performing the first three circumambulations, men may uncover their right arm and move with quick, short steps. (This procedure is called Ramal.) The remaining four circumambulations should be performed at a normal walking pace.

Salât during Tawâf: While performing Tawâf, there are no prescribed prayers but there are a number of supplications which are recommended. You may also use the Salât that form part of your daily Salât sessions and pray to Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.

Hatim:

 is a semi-circular section which originally formed part of the Ka'bah but was not incorporated into the Ka'bah when the Ka'bah was rebuilt. You should include the Hatim in your circumambulations.

When you reach the fourth corner of the Ka'bah (Rukn Yamani), touch it with your right hand or both hands and, as you walk between Rukn Yamani and the Black Stone, you may pray:

"Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina azabin-nar".

When you reach the Black Stone, perform Istilam again, to mark the start of your second circumambulation.

Continue in the same way, until you have completed the seven circumambulations, including Istilam at the end of each circuit.

Completion of Tawâf: On completion of your seven circumambulations, men should cover their right shoulder, thus ending iddtibaa'.

Multazam:

Between the Black Stone and the door of the Ka'bah is a deeply holy place about two meters in length where it is very good to perform Salât. If you are able to reach this place, pray to Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala for His mercy and for His beneficence. If you are prevented by the number of people from reaching Multazam, simply face towards the area and make your Salât's.

Maqâm Ibrâhîm:

On completion of the seven circumambulations, you should approach Maqâm Ibrâhîm (the Station of Ibrâhîm Alahi Wa Salam) and offer two short Salât (Rak'ât). Then, if it is possible, you should return to the Black Stone and touch it.

Safâ and Marwah:

You are now ready to perform the Sa'y, the shuttling between the two hills of Safâ and Marwah.

As you approach Safâ, you recite the Qur'ânic Ayât:

"Verily, Safâ and Marwah are among the shrines of Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala".

You should now ascend Safâ and, facing the Ka'bah, make whatever supplication you choose. The Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam, when he stood on Safâ, proclaimed three times "There is no god but Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala".

You should now proceed towards Marwah, walking at a normal pace until you reach the green marker. Men, if they are able, should run until they reach the next green marker, whereupon they should revert to a normal walking pace until you reach Marwah. Women should proceed throughout at normal walking pace. The area between the two markers is where Hagar used to hear her baby Ismâ'îl Alahi Wa Salam crying out of thirst while she was looking for help. She ran whenever she heard his cries. When you stand on Marwah, face the Qiblah, and repeat the Salât's and supplications you voiced at Safâ. You are now ready to make the return journey, walking where you should walk and, if a man, running, if able, where you should run. This is your second passage.

You should now repeat the procedure until you have completed seven passages, ending your Sa'y at Marwah. While performing Sa'y, you should pray to Allâh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala as you wish and recite Ayât's from Al Qur'ân Al Kareem.

Cutting of hair:

On completion of Sa'y, men may shave their heads or shorten/clip their hair. Women should clip their hair one or two centimetres. (If the Umrâh is a precursor to performing Hajj, men may not want to shave their heads but merely clip their hair so that there will be enough hair to shave when performing Hajj.)

The Umrâh rituals are now concluded and the pilgrim may change into every day clothes. The prohibitions on conduct during Umrâh are now ended.

Article by Abû Redwan