Umrah and Its Importance
Umrah is an important act of Worship of Allah. Umrah is not compulsory. it is recommended by the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said;
العُمْرَۃُ إلي الْعُمْرۃِکَفَّارَہٌ لِمَا بَيْنَھُمَا، وَالْحَجِّ الْمَبْرُ وْر لَيَسَ لہ جَزَا إلْا الْجَنَّۃ :البخاری والمسلم
Umrah is expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous Umrah. And The reward of Hajj Al Mabrour is nothing but Paradise. (Bukhari and Muslim).
The bounties of the Umrah are enormous, which may easily be traced in the Quran and of course, from the Traditions of the Holy Prophet PBUH. There are many virtues for the ones who perform Hajj or Umrah correctly. It is one of the best deeds as reported by About Hourairah: The Prophet PBUH was asked about good deeds. He PBUH said, struggle to the utmost which is Jihad. He inquires again that what is next? He PBUH replied: the accepted Hajj and Umrah.
Supplication for travel
روى مسلم في صحيحه عن ابْنَ عُمَرَ أَنّ رَسُولَ اللّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا اسْتَوَىَ عَلَىَ بَعِيرِهِ خَارِجاً إِلَىَ سَفَرٍ، كَبّرَ ثَلاَثاً، ثُمّ قَالَ: سُبْحَانَ الّذِي سَخّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ* وَإِنّا إِلَىَ رَبّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ. اللّهُمّ إِنّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرّ وَالتّقْوَىَ. وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَىَ. اللّهُمّ هَوّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا. وَاطْوِ عَنّا بُعْدَهُ. اللّهُمّ أَنْتَ الصّاحِبُ فِي السّفَرِ. وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الأَهْلِ. اللّهُمّ إِنّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ، فِي الْمَالِ وَالأَهْلِ“. وَإِذَا رَجَعَ قَالَهُنّ. وَزَادَ فِيهِنّ: “آيِبُونَ، تَائِبُونَ، عَابِدُونَ، لِرَبّنَا حَامِدُونَ“
Allahou Akbar, Allahou Akbar, Allahou Akbar, Soubhana-aladhi sakharalana hadha wa ma kouna lahou mouqrinine. Wa “ina “ila Rabina la-mounqaliboune. Allahouma “ina nas alouka fi safarina hadha-al bira wa-taqwah, wa-mina- amali ma tardha, Allahouma hawouine Alayna safarina hadha watwoui ana boudahou, Allahouma “Anta- asahibou fi-safari, wale khalifatou fil-“al ahli Allahouma “ina “naoudhoubika min wathaii safari, wakaabati- al mandhari, wa sou il-mounqalabi fil-mali wal ahli.
Allah is the Most Great. Allah is the Most Great. Allah is the Most Great. Glory is to Him Who has provided this for us though we could never have had it by our efforts. Surely, unto our Lord we are returning. O Allah, we ask You on this our journey for goodness and piety, and for works that are pleasing to You. O Allah, lighten this journey for us and make its distance easy for us. O Allah, you are our Companion on the road and the One in Whose care we leave our family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from this journey’s hardships, and from the wicked sights in store and from finding our family and property in misfortune upon returning.
Miqate
Miqate is an Arabic word; it literally means “a confirmed place”. It is a place beyond which no Muslim who is intending to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah can go towards Makkah without being in a state of Ihram
Miqate sets the boundaries of the Haram from all directions approaching Makkah. Upon crossing the Miqate a person should consider it binding upon himself to respect any rules that may apply to him, as he should consider himself having entered the haram upon crossing the Miqate.
Proceeding in Ihram at the time of crossing the Miqate is one of the rules binding upon those who enter the haram with the intention of Hajj or Umrah
The Miqate (place for assuming Ihram) is Dhou Houlayfa, Abyare Ali. They are for those who live there and those who pass by them intending Hajj or Umrah. And he whose house is nearer than them to Makkah then he makes Ihram from his house, the people of Makkah making Ihram from Makkah.
Dhou Houlayfa is the place for the people of Madinah and is a village six or seven miles away and it is the furthest Miqate from Makkah. This Miqate is about 12 kilometers from Madinah and about 450 kilometers from Makkah. This Miqate is now known as Abyare Ali.
The prohibition of Ihram
There are things which are forbidden in the state of ihram.
Recommendation before on putting on the ihram before Miqate
Fardhe and wajib acts before of Umrah
There are three acts that are Fardhe in Umrah:
Intention for Umrah
Allahouma Ini ouredou Umrata fayassirha Li WaTaqabalha mini
Translation: O Allah! I make the intention of Umrah, you make this easy for me and accept it.
It is Wajib to recite the Talbiyah once along when making the intention of Umrah and it is Moustahab to recite it thrice. Men should recite it loudly and women softly.
Labaika Allahouma Labaike, Labaika La SharikaLaka Labaik. Ina al Hamda wa Nimata Laka Wa al Moulke. La Sharika Lake.
Tawaf of Umrah
Tawaf means circling around something. Here it means moving around Kaabah seven times with extreme love and devotion.
Preparation: Pass the upper sheet of Ihram from underneath the right arm and put it on the left shoulder. Ablutions (woudu) is essential for tawaf. Recitation of Talbiyah is stopped when you reach Hajar Al Aswad, the starting point of tawaf.
Niyah (Intention): Stand in front of Kaabah facing Hajar-Al-Aswad (the Black Stone) in such a way that the whole Hajar-Al-Aswad is on your right side. To achieve this end, you may get help from the black stripe on the floor. This stripe should be on your right side. Then without raising your hands make Niyah (intention) for Umrah:
“O Allah, I perform Tawaf of Umrah to please You. Make it easy for me and accept it from me.”
Istilam: Now moving towards right, come in front of Hajar Al Aswad and kiss it if possible, or touch it.
Bismi Allahi Allahou Akbar Wa Lillahi Al Hamde
Tawaf Starts: After Istilam, turn right and start tawaf counter clockwise
Supplications of Tawaf: There are no fixed supplications for tawaf but there are several recommended supplications listed in the books of Hajj and Umrah out of which the following supplication is easy to memorize “Subhane-Allah wal-hamdou-Lillahi wa la ilaha ill-Allah wa-Allahou Akbar wa la haoula wa la quowata illa- bi Allahi”, Soubhan Allah, Al-Hamdou Lillahi, Allahou Akbar, La Ilaha Ila Allah, also you can read Quran.
The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) has said that there are two kalimate that are light on tongue and (on the day of judgment) they weigh heavy on the scale (Mizzen) and are liked by Allah. These kalimate are Soubhan Allah Wabi Hamdihi Soubhan Allah al Adhem (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi)
You may also use supplications used in the daily Salah or you may seek forgiveness of Allah and ask Him whatever you wish in your own language.
Roukne Yamani and its Supplications: After passing the three corners of the Kaabah you reach the fourth corner known as Roukne Yamani. Touch it with both hands or with right hand. There is a beautiful supplication to be used while walking between Roukne Yamani and Hajar al Aswad “Rabbani atina fid-Donya hasanata wa fil-akhirati hasanata wa qina adhab anar.”
Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) has repeatedly recited this supplication. The first circuit is complete when you reach Hajar-e-Aswad.
Seven Circuits: At Hajar al Aswad, start the second circuit by kissing it or pointing towards it as you started the first circuit, i.e., come in front of Hajar al Aswad, raise both palms towards it and say ” Bismi Allahi Allahou Akbar Wa Lillahi Al Hamde. After this go around Kaabah as you did before and similarly complete the seven circuits
The End of Tawaf: At the end of seven circuits, do Istilam of Hajar-Al- Aswad or point towards it eighth time which is Sunnah Mouakidah. Also, say “Bismi Allah Allahou Akbar Wa Lillahi Al Hamde”
Tawaf Finished: Now Tawaf is finished, therefore, you cover your both shoulders with upper portion of the Ihram sheet. This does not apply to women.
Multazime: Now, come to Multazime which is a place five or six feet in length between Hajar-Al-Aswad and the door of Kaabah. This is a highly sacred place where prayers are accepted. Among a large crowd of people, if it is possible to reach Multazime, cling to it pressing your chest and cheeks, and while trembling and crying with devotion and with all humility seek Allah’s mercy, His blessings and ask Him whatever you wish. If you are unable to come close to Multazime, just face towards it and supplicate from a distance.
Maqam Ibrahim: Next offer two rakaah behind and close to Maqam Ibrahim without covering your head. In the Niyah (intention), say that you pray 2 rakaah wajib is mandatory. Recite Sourate Al Fatiha & Al Kafiroune for the first rakaah and Sourate Al Fatiha & Al Ikhlass for the second rakaah. After this, supplicate to Allah in your own language. Ask Him whatever you wish and invoke His blessings. If it is not possible to offer this obligatory prayer near Maqam Ibrahim, it can be offered anywhere in Matafe.
Zam zam is the best available water in the world. Drink this water to fill while in standing position saying Bismillah. Then supplicate to Allah:
“Allahouma ini as’alouka ilmane naafiane wa rizqane waasiane wa shifa min koulli daa ine.”
(O Allah! I implore Thee for beneficial knowledge, for vast provisions, and for cure from every disease).
Safah & Marwah
Safah and Marwah are the two mountains between which Hajire (upon her be peace) rushed seven times to see if she could spot any water or anyone from whom she could get some in order to give to her infant Ismail (upon him be peace). This action is copied by all pilgrims performing Hajj or Umrah and is known as Saaye. The strip of ground between Safah and Marwah is referred to as the Mas aa.
Visiting & Praying in Madinah
It is recommended to pray all the prayers in Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (the Prophet’s mosque). Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the prophet (peace be upon him) said:
(A prayer in this mosque of mine is better than a thousand prayers in other mosques except for al Masjid Al-Haram).
The significance and virtue of visiting masjid Nabawi
It is agreed that the visit of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is one of the greatest blessings and best acts of submission. The visitor must also intend to visit the prophet’s mosque as we were told that a prayer there is better than a thousand prayers in other mosques except for Al-Masjid al-Haram. The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said:
“Journeys are only set out for three mosques: Al-Masjid al-Haram, my mosque and Al-Masjid al-Aqsa”.
Visiting al baqii and martyrs of Uhud
It is desirable to visit Al-Baqii after saluting Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him). When you get, there says, ” O Allah! Forgive the dwellers of Al-Baqii’, O Allah! forgive us and them”.
The visitor should also visit Masjid Dhoul Al Qiblatayne.
It is also recommended to visit the martyrs of Uhud, especially the leader of martyrs Hamza the uncle of the prophet (peace be upon him).
Leaving Madinah and Travelling
It is desirable for the visitor when he wants to depart and travel to take leave of the Prophet’s mosque by performing two rakaah and invoking for what he likes then he comes to the Noble Presence (Rawdha), pays salutations as he had done earlier and invokes with insistence earnestly and says farewell to the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: “O Allah! Do not make this visit the last one to the Haram of Your Messenger (peace be upon him) and make my return to the two holy mosques an easy way by Your favor and grace, grant me pardon, good health and protection in this world and in the Hereafter and return us safely, sound and prosperous to my country.