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What is Umrah?
What is Umrah?
Umrah is often referred to as the ‘lesser’ or ‘minor pilgrimage. It is an act of worship undertaken by Muslims. It involves pilgrims travelling to the blessed city of Makkah; where the revered Ka’aba stands as the epicentre of Islamic faith and the focal direction of worship, and performing a set of blessed rituals.
Umrah is a sacred journey that holds immense significance in the hearts of all Muslims. It is a beloved Sunnah that offers a unique opportunity to refresh one’s faith and cleanse one’s soul. Pilgrims seek forgiveness, make sincere du’a and aim to gain a closer connection to Allah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged us to perform Umrah at least once in our lifetime. He, himself (PBUH) performed it four times.
Travelling for your Umrah?
Many pilgrims choose to book their trip with a package provider. An Umrah package is provided by a tour operator and includes essential services that are needed for your trip, such as visas, flights and hotels.
If you are arranging your Umrah travel without a package provider, you will need a visa to perform Umrah. You can apply for a Saudi tourist visa online here.
If you’re booking without a package provider, you will also need to book flights to Makkah, plan your travel between Makkah and Madina or to Islamic Historical sites, and also to choose and book a hotel online which is convenient for accessing the Haram Sharif.
How to perform Umrah?
Umrah involves making your intention and assuming Ihram. It is then followed by entering the Masjid al-Haram and performing Tawaf.
The next step is to perform two Rak’ah at the Maqam Ibrahim and to drink Zamzam water.
Then, one must perform Sa’i, which involves walking/running between Safa and Marwa, completing 7 circuits in total.
The final step is for men to shave their head, while women cut the length of a fingertip in order to break from the state of Ihram.
Difference between Hajj and Umrah
Whilst, both Umrah and Hajj involved the sacred sites in Makkah. there are notable differences, between the two:
Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage and is an optional act of worship. Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam, and is obligatory for every able-bodied Muslim who has the financial means to undertake the journey.
Umrah can be performed at any time throughout the year, except for the days of Hajj and usually takes between 3-6 hours.
Hajj takes place during the specific days of Dhul Hijjah. from the 8th to 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah. When the new crescent moon is sighted, Eid al-Adha begins, which lasts for four days.
It is a longer pilgrimage that spans several days and involves various rituals and activities.
Hajj comprises a set of additional rituals. These include spending time in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, performing specific prayers and supplications and stoning the pillars representing Shaytaan (Rami).
We’ve put together a list of things to remember before going for Umrah:
Make the intention for performing Umrah as a means of gaining Allah’s love. Sincerely ask Allah for forgiveness for past sins, with the intention of never returning to them. Also visit friends and family and ask them for forgiveness.
In order to be truly free to benefit from Umrah, pay any outstanding debts and make sure you have fulfilled your obligations, such as paying Zakat.
Ensure you understand the process of performing Umrah, as well as the rules and obligations of doing so.
Umrah can be physically demanding and can require considerable walking, particularly in Makkah. To prepare yourself, try and go for daily walks before your trip and incorporate exercise into your routine. Also ensure you eat a balanced diet incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables in order to build up your immune system before travelling.
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