What is Umrah and Its performance Method?
Millions of Muslims from all over the world travel to Makkah to perform Umrah. Makkah, the oldest and holiest site of Islam, located in the western province of Hijaz in Saudi Arabia, is a significant place for whole Muslims. It is believed that the holy book of Islam, the Holy Quran, was revealed here to Muhammad (PBUH)
What is Umrah?
Umrah is the name given to Makkah Mukarramah, a minor pilgrimage of the annual pilgrimage gathering. The Arabic word "Umrah" means "to visit a populated place". Umrah gives Muslims a chance to renew their faith and remove their sins.
The Prophet (PeaceBeUponHim) said:
It is a way of purifying the mind and soul and motivates for a lifetime. Allah rewards every good deed Performed in His own way. When a believer spends his time and money for himself, he saves him from pain and suffering. The blessings of performing Umrah are immense. Umrah is Sunnah. The rituals of Umrah are much less than the rituals of Hajj.
Therefore, it can be performed in a few hours compared to Hajj. If one wants to perform his Umrah easily, he should take any package for this journey. This is a bit of an expensive trip for those who are not living in Saudi Arabia. Therefore they will need some essential requirements like flights, transportation, and hotels to complete this journey, which can be gotten in Cheap Umrah Packages.
In Umrah Muslims performs Four essential rituals:
Ihram:
According to Sharia law, as for both pilgrimages, a Muslim must wear Ihram. It's must be attained when reaching a Miqat, a principal boundary point in Mecca, like Zu 'l-Hulafa, Juha, Qarnu 'l-Manāzil, Yalamlam, Zāt-i-Iraq, Ibrahīm Mursīa. At the meeqat, Muslims make intention and recite this dua,
“Labbayk Allaahumma bi ‘Umrah.”
(Here I am, O Allah, for ‘Umrah)
"Different conditions exist for air travelers, who must observe Ihram once entering a specific perimeter in the city."
Tawaf:
The Muslim must then enter in Kabba with the right foot and recite this dua,
(In the name of Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Prophet of Allah. O Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the doors of Your mercy. I seek refuge with Allah the Almighty and in His noble Countenance and His eternal power from the accursed Satan).”
In this ritual, Muslims seven times walk around of Kabba(house of GOD). Every round started by touching and kissing Hajre Aswad. Sometimes it can be impossible to do that, and Then they can be completed at pointing with hands in the direction of Hajre Aswad.
During Tawaf, a man must do two things:
a) Al-Idhtibaa:
From the beginning to the end of the Tawaf, which covers one under the right arm and on the left shoulder. When you have finished performing Tawaf, you can return your Reda' to its original state as the time for A-Ethtibaa is only during Tawaf.
b) Ar-Raml:
During the first three circuits only. Ar-Raml means walking speedily one's pace with small steps. After finishing the seven-round of Kabba, Muslims must go to maqam-e-Ibraheem and recite two Rak‘at nawafil. During the first rak'ah, Surah Kafirun (109) is recited and for the second rak'ah, Surah Ikhlas (112) is recited.
Sa’i:
In this ritual, Muslims can complete by walking seven times between two hills of Safa and Marwah. Both mounts are situated in the Masjid al-Haram. It's started from the Safah hill and ended at the Marwah hill.
Halq or Taqsir:
Taqsir is a limited shortening of the hair reserved for women who cut a minimum of one inch or more of their hair. Halq is a complete shave of the head, usually performed men. These mean the submission of will to God over glorifying physical appearances. The head-shaving/cutting reserved at the end of Umrah. These rituals complete the Umrah, and the Muslims can choose to go out of Ihram.
Types of Umrah
These are two types of Umrah.
1-Umrah-ul-Mufradah:
This type of Umrah has performed all throughout the year except in the days of Hajj. It is separate from Hajj and performed at any time of the year.
2-Umrah-ul-Tamattu:
This type of Umrah is performed in conjunction with Hajj during the time of Hajj but before the commencement of Hajj rituals, i.e., before 8th Dhul Hijjah.
