Umrah
is an optional pilgrimage, but still, it has become more popular among Muslims
as compared to Hajj. Behind the fact, it has many reasons like affordability,
physical ability, travel issues, etc. Most people prefer to perform Umrah
rather than Hajj because Umrah packages
will cost you less than Hajj packages.
Let’s have a bird’s eye view on Umrah.
The
origin of word Umrah is the Arabic language. In which, it means ‘to visit a
populated place.’ When we think about Umrah two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah
comes into everyone’s mind. Absolutely, this pilgrimage takes place in the
sacred city of Makkah. Even a single day is more than enough to perform a
complete Umrah.
Umrah
Rituals/Components
Umrah
consists of three components Tawaf, Sa’i and Halq (taqsir). Before starting
your Umrah procedure, you have to enter in the state of Ihram. Some also
considered it as a ritual; in fact, it is a condition for Umrah performance.
Tawaf:
It is a
process in which both men and women pilgrims take seven rounds around the holy
Kaaba in such a way that their direction of rotation is anti-clockwise.
Pilgrims are ordered to take Hajr-e-Aswad (Black Stone) as their initial point
to start Tawaf. It is not advised to stop during Tawaf unless you called for
prayer or you need a serious short break.
For
Men:
Men
can’t start Tawaf unless one had entered in the state of Ihram by taking a
‘ghusl’ a cleansing shower (you can just do wudhu if you don’t have an
availability for a bath) and wearing two white plain unstitched sheets.
Remember your Ihram should not cover your right shoulder and your ankles.
Men
initiate their Tawaf by either kissing or touching the Black Stone. One can
point his hand towards Black Stone if he is unable to reach due to the crowd.
Men should perform the first three rounds of Tawaf at a faster speed than
walking but not running. The remaining rounds will be performed at a mild rate.
For
Women:
Women
are not required to enter in any specific clothes. Although, most of the women
wear an abaya over their usual dressing to cover their body properly. Women
can’t cover their hands and face in the courtyard of Holy Kaaba. The starting
process of Tawaf is the same for both men and women.
Only
women should perform Tawaf while walking at an average pace. Women should not
get to closer to the crowd as it is discouraged in Islam. After the completion
of Tawaf, it is the sunnah of our prophet to offer to rakats prayer at
Maqaqm-e-Ibrahim. You can offer this prayer at anywhere in the greater mosque.
Sa’i:
It is
the procedure of walking quickly between the two hills of Safa and Marwah seven
times in to and fro motion. This process reminisces about the event, when
Hazrat Hajra (R.A), mother of Prophet Ismail (R.A), ran here and there in
search of water for his baby.
After
that, Allah Almighty started the flow of water from the point where the heel of
Prophet Ismail (R.A) was placed, which is known as well of Zamzam water. The
water has never stopped flowing out from earth since then.
Halq
or Taqsir:
Umrah
pilgrims pass through this process after the completion of previous steps. In
this process, men shave their head entirely, and women are just required to cut
their hair equal to the length of their fingertip. After this, one can exit
from Ihram clothing.
Furthermore,
Umrah rituals need some special conditions that you can read at our blog. This
is a complete and short guide that will let you know entirely about Umrah and
its parts. The main difference between Hajj and Umrah is about their performance.
Hajj is obligatory for enable persons according to Islamic Shariah.
