Umrah
Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage — a concise but highly rewarding act of worship. Unlike Hajj, it is not restricted to specific dates and can be performed year-round.
Pillars of Umrah
Section titled “Pillars of Umrah”Umrah has four essential components:
- Ihram – Intention from the Miqat, entering the sacred state.
- Tawaf – Circling the Ka‘bah seven times.
- Sa’ee – Walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
- Halq or Taqsir – Shaving or trimming the hair.
Leaving out any of these invalidates the Umrah.
Step-by-Step: Performing Umrah
Section titled “Step-by-Step: Performing Umrah”1. Entering Ihram at the Miqat
Section titled “1. Entering Ihram at the Miqat”- Cleanse yourself, wear the Ihram garments, and make the niyyah (intention) for Umrah.
- Begin reciting the Talbiyah:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka lā sharīka laka Labbayk, innal-ḥamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, lā sharīka lak.
Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily, all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.
2. Tawaf of the Ka‘bah
Section titled “2. Tawaf of the Ka‘bah”- Begin at the Black Stone, saying “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar”.
- Complete 7 counter-clockwise circuits.
- Men: uncover the right shoulder (Idtiba) and jog lightly (Ramal) in the first 3 circuits.
- After completing Tawaf, pray 2 rak‘at behind Maqam Ibrahim (if possible).
There’s no fixed du‘a during Tawaf; recite Qur’an, make du‘a, and glorify Allah from the heart.
3. Sa’ee Between Safa and Marwah
Section titled “3. Sa’ee Between Safa and Marwah”- Begin at Safa with the verse:
۞ إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ ٱلْبَيْتَ أَوِ ٱعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًۭا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.
- Walk to Marwah and back, completing 7 legs.
- Men jog between the green lights (Mas‘aa).
- There is no required du‘a; make personal supplications throughout.
4. Halq or Taqsir (Shaving or Trimming)
Section titled “4. Halq or Taqsir (Shaving or Trimming)”- Men: Shaving (Halq) is preferred; trimming (Taqsir) is allowed.
- Women: Trim a fingertip’s length from the end of the hair.
May Allah have mercy on those who shave... and those who trim.
What Invalidates Umrah
Section titled “What Invalidates Umrah”- Intimacy after entering Ihram and before completing all rites.
- Skipping any of the four pillars.
- Crossing the Miqat without donning Ihram.
Kitab ul Hajj emphasizes that even unintentional violations (e.g., scented soap) require kaffarah depending on severity.
Spiritual Value of Umrah
Section titled “Spiritual Value of Umrah”Umrah is not simply a ritual — it’s a chance to restart. The Prophet ﷺ said:
The performance of ‘Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one.
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