A Guide To Umrah With Assistance From Islam

The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) stated in a Hadith cited in Ibn Maajah’s book: “The Hajj and Umrah performers are deputations of Allah Almighty.” He answers their calls and extends forgiveness to those who ask for it.
As part of our groundbreaking Umrah for Orphans program, Islamic Help is bringing a group of pilgrims on Umrah this month. Insha’Allah, we will also be taking 400 to 500 Palestinian orphans on Umrah in January and February of next year.

Now in its second year, Umrah with Islamic Help will take place from November 12–20. It will see pilgrims traveling to Makkah and Madinah with Ustadh Abu Muhammad as their guide and some of our UK colleagues.
They will tour some of the most important historical locations in Islam in addition to completing the Umrah procedures.
More than 2,200 Palestinian children have traveled to the Holy Lands of Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia since the inception of Umrah for Orphans in 2015. The pilgrims have included bereaved moms from Jordan and Al Quds (Jerusalem), as well as orphans, young girls, and children with disabilities.

However, what is Umrah and what are the rites that Palestinian orphans and adult travelers must follow, just like any other Muslim making the Umrah pilgrimage? This is a quick guide.

UMRAH
Umrah means “to visit a place” in Arabic. It particularly alludes to the Makkah pilgrimage for Muslims.
Many people refer to Umrah as the “minor” Hajj. While Umrah is Sunnah, a custom of the Prophet (PBUH), and can be done at any time of the year, with the exception of the five days of Hajj, the Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and should be completed at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime.

GOAL
Umrah’s primary goal is to purge the soul of previous transgressions. It is permissible for a Muslim to perform Umrah more than once in their lifetime.
Since a pilgrim spends their time and money in Allah’s path, Umrah is also regarded as protection against poverty and life’s hardships.
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Follow up the Hajj and Umrah, because they certainly remove poverty and sins, because fire separates the impurities from iron, gold, and silver,” according to Ibn e Masood (may Allah be pleased with him).

TIMING
With the exception of the five days of Hajj, Umrah can be done at any time of the year. Because the blessings are multiplied, Umrah undertaken during the month of Ramadan is particularly treasured.
According to the Prophet (PBUH), the benefits of doing Umrah during Ramadan are equal to those of doing the Hajj alongside him.
IHRAM
When performing Umrah, a Muslim must enter a sanctified state of mind and body.
Pilgrims must ensure that they have cleansed their bodies, including shaving, nail care, beard and mustache trimming, and taking a shower (ghusl), before they can enter the state of ihram.The garments travelers must wear for Umrah are also referred to as ihrams.

Men: two sheets of unstitched white cloth that leave parts of the body – the d and face, the arms, and ankles and feet, uncovered. This means the clothing is universal in appearance and no one can be distinguished from their wealth or social status.

Women: They must wear clothing that completely conceals them except for their hands and face.

MIQAAT
A term from Arabic that implies “a stated place.” Those traveling to perform the Hajj or Umrah stop there to put on their ihram.
The pilgrim will recite the Talbiyah, “Labbayk Allahumma labbayk” (Here I am at your service, O Allah here I am), at this point and before they enter the holy city of Makkah. They must have already taken the decision to undertake Umrah. After the Talbiyah is said, the Ihram is worn till the Umrah is finished.

DISLIKED ACTIONS
Pilgrims must refrain from doing anything that would lessen the blessings or, in certain situations, render the pilgrimage worthless while wearing the ihram. Avoid the following behaviors during Umrah:
• Quarreling or fighting with other people
Cutting or removing hair or nails; using fragrances; using scented soaps, shampoos, lotions, wipes, etc.; using foul language, cursing, and talking about immoral topics
• Sexual activity in any way.

TAWAF
The first places pilgrims visit are Masjid-ul-Haram, which houses the Ka’aba, and the holy city of Makkah. They have to perform Tawaf when they enter the Muthaaf, which is the area surrounding the Ka’aba.
Tawaf means making seven anticlockwise circles around the Ka’aba. Before doing Tawaf, one must perform wudhu, or ablution; women who are menstruating cannot perform Tawaf until they are in a condition that allows them to perform ghusl once more.
Hajr e Aswad, also known as the black stone, is located in the first corner of the Ka’aba, where the Tawaf begins, and pilgrims are encouraged to touch or kiss it. However, the Tawaf can still be finished without this act if the Muthaaf is so crowded that it is impossible to do so.

After that, they have to offer two rakat prayers at Maqam Ibrahim. It is situated in front of the Ka’aba’s doors and is the stone that the prophet Ibrahim (alaihis salaam) stood on when the Ka’aba was being built.
Although they are not required to be in front of the Ka’aba, worshippers should make sure that Maqam Ibrahim is between them and the building when they are worshiping.
It is possible to pray this prayer anywhere in Masjid-ul-Haram at instances of extreme crowding.

After finishing these prayers, travelers must depart for Sa’ee after consuming Zamzam water from any of the water sources.

SA’EE
In order to find water for her infant child Ismail (alaihis salaam), Hajra (alaihis salaam), Ibrahim’s wife, hurried seven times between Safa and Marwah. This is commemorated by the act of Sa’ee.
This rite requires pilgrims to either walk as quickly as they can or run at specific locations (only men are allowed). Being in a condition of wudhu is not required in order to carry out this conduct.
Safa is where the Sa’ee starts, and Marwah is where it finishes. One length of walking is measured from Safa to Marwah. Seven of these must be finished by each pilgrim.

Make dua and pray, then proceed to the local barbers’ to perform Halaq once you have arrived in Marwah at the conclusion of the seventh leg.
Although it is Sunnah, shaving the head completely is not required. Halaq, on the other hand, requires that the hair be cut in some way, either completely or partially. Women are required to trim one inch of their hair at this point.

FINISHED
The Umrah is now finished! At this point, pilgrims can leave the Ihram and resume their “normal” attire and daily routines.
May Allah grant the duas of everyone performing or having undertaken Umrah, and may He provide us all the strength and ability to carry out this auspicious journey. Ameen.

Travel to UK is well known for offering Umrah packages that include both direct and indirect flights, expedited visa processing, and five-star luxury lodging.