How to perform your Umrah

The meaning of the word “UMRAH”

The ʿUmrah (Arabic: عمرة‎‎) is a pilgrimageto Mecca, Saudi Arabia, performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to the Hajj. In Arabic, Umrah means “to visit a populated place.” In the Sharia, Umrah means to perform Tawaf round the Kaaba and Sa’i between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, after assuming Ihram (a sacred state), either from a Miqat like Zu ‘l-Hulafa, Juhfa, Qarnu ‘l-Manāzil, Yalamlam, Zāt-i-‘Irq, Ibrahīm Mursīa, or a place in Hill. It is sometimes called the ‘minor pilgrimage’ or ‘lesser pilgrimage’, the Hajj being the ‘major’ pilgrimage and which is compulsory for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it. The Umrah is not compulsory but highly recommended.

Preparing for Umrah

Physical Preparation

It is important to bear in mind that performing Umrah may require considerable physical exertion. It is thus advisable to undertake some form of exercise in preparation which may involve prolonged walks and light jogging to get into shape.

Preparing the mind

To gain the most out of this spiritual journey, pilgrims should spend time learning about the rituals of Umrah, to reflect on the wisdom behind such acts of worship and to read about the experiences of those who have previously made this journey. Watching documentaries will also assist in visualising the rituals in action. Guide books are also available for purchase on the home page under the section (shopping). These collection may help to focus one’s mind.

  • Remove unwanted hair, clip nails, trim moustache etc.
  • Make Ghusl (if possible) or make Wudhu.
  • Wear Ihram prior to arriving at the Meeqat.
  • Pray 2 raka’at (optional).
  • Make an intention for performing Umrah with the following words:

    الله هوما إن وريدول أمراتا فا ياس-سير ها لي وتقبال ها ميني Allah humma inni ureedul amrata fa yas-sir haa lee wa taqabbal haa minni

    “O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah; make it easy for me and accept from me”

  • To enter the state of Ihram, recite the Talbiyah:

    لابايكا ألاهوما لابايك، لابايكا لا شاريكا لاكا لابايك، إنال-همدا وان-نيماتا لاكا والم-مالك، لا شاريكا لاك Labbayka Allaahumma lab labbayka laa shareeyka laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeyka lak

    “Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, you have no partner, here I am. “Verily all praise and blessings, and all sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.”
  • Proceed to Makkah and head to al-Masjid al-Haram, oft-repeating the Talbiyah.

Before commencing Tawaf, uncover the right shoulder (men only). This is known as Idtiba.

Approach al-Hajar al-Aswad, raise your right hand and make istilaam with the words: Bismillahi, Allaahu Akbar بيسميلاهي، الله أكبر “In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest”

Commence the Tawaf in an anti-clockwise direction ensuring the Kabah is on your left.

During the first 3 circuits, men are to walk at a brisk pace (where possible). This is known as Raml. The remaining 4 circuits are completed at normal pace.

During Tawaf, one is free to recite Quran, make Dua and Dhikr as he/she chooses. There are no specific recitals during Tawaf other than between the Yamani corner and the black stone, it is Sunnah to recite: راب-بانا آتينا فيد-دنيا هاسانا وا فيل أخيراتي هاسانا واقينا ‘أزابان نار Rab-banaa aatina fid-dunyaa hasanah wa fil aakhirati hasanah waqina ‘azaaban naar

“O Allah, grant us goodness in this world, and goodness in the hereafterm and save us from the punishment of the fire”

Upon completion of Tawaf, cover the right shoulder and pray 2 rak’at sunnah behind Maqam Ibrahim. If there is no space, anywhere in the mosque will suffice.

After the prayer, drink zamzam water calling to mind the etiquettes and supplications of the Prophet (PBUH).

Proceed to Mount Safa. Ascend the raised area, face the direction of the Kabah and make supplication.

Walk to Mount Marwa, remembering to recite Quran, make Dua and Dhikr along the way.

Men only should walk briskly or jog between 2 points, indicated by green lights on the wall.

Upon reaching Mount Marwa, make Dua again facing the direction of the Kabah. This is one circuit completed.

Complete 7 circuits in total. You should finish at Mount Marwa on the 7th circuit.

After completing the Sa’ee, shave or trim your hair (men only) from the barber shops available. Women are required to gather their hair and cut approximately a fingertips length from the end of their plait.

Umrah is now complete. All the restrictions of Ihram are lifted and you are free to live as normal.

My Supplications

How to Supplicate

When it comes to making Dua or supplication, there are a few things that a Muslim must keep in mind for better supplication. The first thing to keep in mind is the intent – the intention behind making Dua must be to invoke to Allah Almighty with utmost sincerity and purity of heart. The second thing that is not compulsory but should be remembered is that a person must memorize the Arabic version of the supplication so that it shows the true spirit of religious inclination.
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ ،إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ ، إِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ ، وَلَا يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّـنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ

Translation

O Allah, guide me along with those whom You have guided, pardon me along with those whom You have pardoned, be an ally to me along with those whom You are an ally to and bless for me that which You have bestowed, protect me from the evil You have decreed. Indeed, You decree and none can decree over You. For surely, he whom you show allegiance to is never abased and he whom You take as an enemy is never honoured and mighty. O our Lord, Blessed and Exalted are You.

Transliteration

allaahum-ma-hdinee fee man hadayt, wa ‛aafinee fee man ‘aafayt, wa tawal-lanee fee man tawal-layt, wa baarik lee fee maa a‛ṭayt, wa qinee shar-ra maa qaḍayt, fa innaka taqḍee wa laa yuqḍaaa ‛alayk, innahu laa yadhillu man waalayt, wa laa ya‛izzu man ‛aadayt, tabaarakta rabbanaa wa ta‛aalayt

اللَّهُمَّ اكْتُبْ لِي بِهَا عِنْدَكَ أَجْرًا ، وَضَعْ عَنِّي بِهَا وِزْرًا ، وَاجْعَلْهَا لِي عِنْدَكَ ذُخْرًا ، وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي كَمَا تَقَبَّلْتَهَا مِنْ عَبْدِكَ دَاوُدَ

Translation

O Allah, record for me a reward for this (prostration), and remove from me a sin. Save it for me and accept it from me just as You had accepted it from Your slave Dawood (peace be upon him).

Transliteration

allaahumm-aktub lee bihaa ‛indaka ajr-an, wa ḍa‛ ‛annee bihaa wizr-an, waj‛alhaa lee ‛indaka dhukhr-an, wa taqabbalhaa minnee kamaa taqabbaltahaa min ‛abdika daawud

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيرًا ، والْحَمْدُ لِلهِ كَثِيرًا ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ، لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَا بِاللهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ، وَارْحَمْنِي ، وَاهْدِنِي ، وَارْزُقْنِي

Translation

SaAAd Ibn Abee Waqqas (RA) narrated that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said to him, “Teach me something which I should say?” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Say, None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. Allah is most great and much praise is for Allah. How far from imperfections Allah is, Lord of the worlds. There is no might nor power except with Allah, The Exalted in might, The Wise. …the man then said, “These are for my Lord, and what is for me?” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied: Say, O Allah, forgive me, have mercy upon me, guide me and grant me sustenance.

Transliteration

laa ilaaha ill-allaahu waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, allaahu akbaru kabeeran, wal-ḥamdu lillaahi katheeran, subḥaan-allaahi rabbil-‛aalameen, laa ḥawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaahil-‛azeezil-ḥakeemi allaahumm-aghfir lee, warḥam-nee, wah-dinee , war-zuqnee