How Many Rites Does Umrah Have?

By Author: Ady Grewal
Total Articles: 65
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Umrah is a lesser pilgrimage for Muslims, performed by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims every year. Performing Umrah isn’t a religious obligation for any Muslim. Even if he/she has the means to sponsor it and health to bear the physical aspects of Umrah; it isn’t “Farz”. It’s a sunnah of our beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW). Nonetheless, it’s a perfect opportunity to visit the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and Sacred sites of Islam situated there. Perform tawaf of the Holy Kaabah and Go for Sayee. Visit Roza-e-Rasool and offer payers in Masjid-al-Nabawi. That’s how every person who is able to perform umrah, books package for umrah as soon as an opportunity gets offered.

Since it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity or at least an annual Ibadah for Muslims, not everyone is well aware of Umrah rites. Therefore, here’s a brief description of the rituals of Umrah.

I. Ihram.

Ihram is simply the clothing a pilgrim has to wear in order to perform Umrah/Hajj.
For Men, Ihram is 2 pieces of simple, white ...
... cloths. One for covering the lower half of the body (Izar) and the second one for covering the upper half (Rida).
For Women, there isn’t any specification. They can wear anything, of any colour but it should be modest and simple. That’s why most women prefer to wear Abaya on top of their normal clothes.

Entering the State of Ihram;

• Trim fingernails and toenails.
• Remove hair from underarms and below the navel.
• Cut his moustache to an appropriate size (if any).
• Perform Ghusl.
• Wear Ihram. (before departure. i.e. at the airport or from home)
• Offer 2 Rakat Salah al-Ihram while covering the head.
• Pronounce Niyyah.
• Recite Talbiyaah.

II. Tawaf of Holy Kaabah.

Walking around the Holy Kaabah in Masjid-al-Haram, Makkah, for 7 rounds, in a counter-clockwise direction is known as Tawaf. It’s the most essential ritual of Umrah without which the lesser pilgrimage is incomplete.

For Performing Tawaf;

• Men should uncover their right shoulder and proceed for Tawaf. While for Women covering face or hands is also prohibited.
• Pilgrims should start and end their tawaf at the same place i.e. Hajar-e-Aswad (the Black stone).
• For the first three rounds, men would perform Raml. For the rest four rounds, they will walk at a normal pace.
• Upon completion of Tawaf, pilgrims must offer 2 Rakat Salat-al-Tawaf behind Maqam-e-Ibrahim. Then, go for drinking Zamzam water.

III. Sayee on Safah and Marwah.

Sayee is walking/running between the Hills of Safah and Marwah 7 times, in a manner that 7th round ends at Marwah.
Remember; Men have to do sayee with their both shoulders covered

IV. Halq/Taqsir.

Halq means shaving the head completely. It’s the last ritual of Umrah after which all the prohibitions of Umrah/Ihram are lifted and the lesser pilgrimage completes.

For men, Halq (shaving of head) remains recommended.

For Women, Taqsir (clipping of a small amount of hairs) is recommended.

With the month of Ramadan at hand, you must checkout umrah Ramadan packages if you are planning to go for Umrah and book the best spot for yourself in advance.

I am Ady Grewal and specifically providing information about all kinds of Umrah Packages through Islamic Travel. Truly, my major purpose is to make sure the religious obligation of UK based Muslim brothers and sisters by providing the information of cheapest packages from the UK to Saudi Arabia. If you are interested to perform Umrah, so you are at the absolutely right place. May Allah (SWT) fulfill your holy dream.