The Rites of Umrah

The only rites of Umrah are:

· Entering the state of Ihram
· Tawaf of Ka’bah
· Saee between the hills of Safa and Marwah
· Shaving or clipping of the hair


Ihram for Umrah and Entering Masjid Al-Haram

1. Ihram: Removing sewn clothes, Islamic brothers should put on a piece of new or washed shawl to cover the upper body and use a similar cloth as Taĥband (i.e. a piece of cloth used to cover the lower part of the body). Islamic sisters are to wear their sewn clothes as usual. They may wear socks and gloves as well. They should keep their heads covered but should not wear such a veil that touches their face.

2. Entering Masjid al-Haram: While reciting Talbiyah, enter Masjid al-Haram preferably through Babas-Salam with right foot first. Supplicate to Allah and proceed towards Ka’bah. You may recite the following supplication which is usually used before entering a mosque and make intention of itikaf as well:
بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ السَّلَامُ عَلٰی رَسُوْلِ اللّٰہِ ط اَللّٰھُمَّ افْتَحْ لِیْۤ اَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ ط

3. First Sight: At the first sight of Ka’bah, keep your eyes fixed at Baitullah and standing at one side, it is suggested that you do the following: As soon as you have the first glance of the Holy Ka’baĥ, recite the following thrice:
لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَ اللّٰہُ اَ کْبَر ط
Then, recite Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī and make Du’ā as the Du’ā made on having the first glance of the Holy Ka’baĥ is definitely accepted. You may also make this Du’ā: ‘Yā Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, whenever I make permissible Du’ā that is beneficial to me, accept it.’ ‘Allāmaĥ Shāmī قُـدِّسَ سِـرُّهُ الـسَّامِی has quoted Islamic jurists to have stated: When having the first glance of the Ka’baĥ, one should make Du’ā to be blessed with entry into Paradise without accountability, and should recite Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī.
(Rad-dul-Muḥtār, vol. 3, pp. 575)

After this, while uttering Talbiyah; move forward to perform Tawaf of Ka’bah.

Tawaf of Umrah

Tawaf means circling around something. Here it means moving around Ka’bah seven times with extreme love and devotion.

1. Preparation: Pass the upper sheet of Ihram from underneath the right arm and put it on the left shoulder. This act bares the right shoulder and is known as Iztaba. Ablution (wudu) is essential for tawaf. Reciting of Talbiyah is stopped when you reach Hajar-e- Aswad, the starting point of tawaf.

2. Niyyah (Intention): Stand in front of Ka’bah facing Hajar-e-Aswad (the Black Stone) in such a way that the whole Hajre-e-Aswad is on your right side. Then without raising your hands make Niyyah (intention) for Umrah:
اَللّٰھُمَّ اِ نِّیْۤ اُرِیْدُ طَوَافَ بَیْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ فَیَسِّرْہُ لِیْ وَ تَقَبَّلْہُ مِنِّیْ ط
“Yā Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! I make intention for Ṭawāf of Your sacred House. Make it easier for me and accept it from me”
3. Istilam: Now moving towards right, come in front of Hajar-e-Aswad and kiss it if possible, or touch it with a stick and kiss the stick; if that also is not possible, raise your hands to your ears keeping your open palms towards Hajre-e-Aswad and say:
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ وَ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ وَ الصَّلٰوةُ وَ السَّلَامُ عَلٰی رَسُوْلِ اللّٰهِ
and drop your hands down do this thrice. This act of kissing Hajar-e-Aswad or pointing towards it is called Istilam.
4. Tawaf Starts: After Istilam, turn right and start tawaf counter clockwise.

WARNING

§ The authorities often apply perfume to Hajar-e-Aswad, Rukn Yamani and Multazam. If so, be careful when touching them while in the state of Ihram because perfume is not allowed in Ihram.
§ During tawaf, it is not permissible to face or turn your back towards Ka’bah except when you are kissing or pointing towards Hajar-e-Aswad.


5. Ramal: For the first three rounds of Tawaf of Umrah men are required to move their shoulders and walk with quick short steps. This act is called Ramal and is Sunnah. They walk normally during the remaining four rounds.


6. 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:
سُبْحٰنَ اللّٰہِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ وَ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَ اللّٰہُ اَکْبَرُ ط وَلَاحَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّۃَ اِلَّا بِاللّٰہِ الْعَلِیِّ الْعَظِـیْمِطوَالصَّلٰوۃُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلٰی رَسُـوْلِ اللّٰہِ صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ
If you don’t remember these words, you may glorify Allah by repeatedly uttering:
سُبْحٰنَ اللّٰہِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ وَ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَ اللّٰہُ اَکْبَرُetc.
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.

7. Hatim: Hatim is a semi-circular half-built portion which was originally a part of the Ka’bah but which could not be included in the main structure when the Ka’bah was rebuilt. It is obligatory to go around Hatim not inside while performing tawaf.

8. Rukn Yamani and its Supplications: After passing the three corners of the Ka’bah you reach the fourth corner known as Rukn Yamani. Touch it with both hands or with right hand. There is a beautiful supplication to make while walking between Rukn Yamani and Hajar-e-Aswad:
رَبَّـنَاۤ اٰتِنَا فِی الـدُّنْیَا حَسَنَۃً وَّ فِی الۡاٰخِـرَۃِ حَسَنَۃً وَّ قِـنَا عَـذَابَ الـنَّارِ
Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) has repeatedly recited this supplication. The first circuit is complete when you reach Hajar-e-Aswad.

9. Seven Rounds: At Hajar-e-Aswad, start the second round by kissing it or pointing towards it as you started the first round, i.e., come in front of Hajar-e-Aswad, raise both hands to your ears with open palms towards it and say:
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ وَ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ وَ الصَّلٰوةُ وَ السَّلَامُ عَلٰی رَسُوْلِ اللّٰهِ
Now kiss both palms and drop your hands. After this go around Ka’bah as you did before and similarly complete the seven rounds.

10. The End of Tawaf: At the end of seven circuits, do Istilam of Hajar-e- Aswad or point towards it eighth also say:
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ وَ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ وَ الصَّلٰوةُ وَ السَّلَامُ عَلٰی رَسُوْلِ اللّٰهِ

11. Iztaba Finished: Now Iztaba is finished, therefore, you cover your both shoulders with upper portion of the Ihram sheet.

12. Maqam Ibrahim: Next offer two rakahs of nafls behind and close to Maqam Ibrahim without covering your head. If it is zawal time when Salah is not allowed, you have to wait till this undesirable time is passed and then offer prayers. In the niyyah (intention), say that you are offering 2 rakahs of nafls wajib al- tawaf. Recite Surah Kafiroon in the first rakah and Surah Ikhlas in the second rakah. After this, supplicate to Allah in Arabic or 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 Mataf, or in Hatim or anywhere in Masjid al-Haram or even at any place in Haram of Makkah.

13. Multazam: Now, come to Multazam which is a place five or six feet in length between Hajar-e-Aswad and the door of Ka’bah. This is a highly sacred place where prayers are accepted. Among a large crowd of people, if it is possible to reach Multazam, 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 Multazam, just face towards it and supplicate from a distance.

14. Zamzam: Now go to Zamzam and drink it. Zamzam is the best available water in the world. Drink this water to fill while in standing position saying بسم اللہ. Then supplicate to Allah:
اَللّٰھُمَّ اِ نِّیْۤ اَسْئَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَّافِعًا وَّ رِزْقًا وَّاسِعًا وَّشِفَآءً مِّنْ کُلِّ دَآءٍ ط
(O Allah! I implore Thee for beneficial knowledge, for vast provisions, and for cure from every disease.)

SAEE
The literal meaning of Saee is to run or to make effort, but as a Hajj and Umrah term, Saee denotes walking back and forth seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah which are situated to the south and north of the Ka’bah respectively. Now there are only signs of these hills and the whole route between them is enclosed in a long gallery.

How to Perform SAEE:

1. Istilam of Hajar-e-Aswad: Before starting Saee, do Istilam of Hajar-e-Aswad again the ninth time or point towards it, saying:
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ وَ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ وَ الصَّلٰوةُ وَ السَّلَامُ عَلٰی رَسُوْلِ اللّٰهِ
Now Proceed towards Safa. It is a better to be in the state of Wudu during Sa’ey.

2. Start of Saee at Safa: Go to the hill of Safa and make intention (niyyah) for Saee:
اَللّٰھُمَّ اِ نِّیْۤ اُرِیْدُ السَّعْیَ بَیْنَ الصَّفَا وَ الْمَرْوَۃِ سَبْعَۃَ اَشْوَاطٍ لِّوَجْھِكَ الْکَرِیْمِ فَیَسِّرْہُ لِیْ وَ تَقَبَّلْہُ مِنِّیْ ط

3. Now recite:
اَبْدَءُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی بِہٖ (اِنَّ الصَّفَا وَ الْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَآىٕرِ اللّٰهِۚ-فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَیْتَ اَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیْهِ اَنْ یَّطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَاؕ-وَ مَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَیْرًاۙ-فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِیْمٌ(۱۵۸)
Go to Safa to the point from where you can see the Ka’bah, then facing the Ka’bah raise your hands in supplication, say Allahu Akbar three times and recite the following supplication or ask Allah whatever you wish:
اَللّٰھُمَّ اسْتَعْمِلْنِیْ بِسُنَّۃِ نَبِیِّكَ صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَ اٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ وَ تَوَفَّنِیْ عَلٰی مِلَّتِہٖ وَ اَعِذْنِیْ مِنْ مُّضِلَّاتِ الْفِتَنِ بِرَحْمَتِكَ یَاۤ اَرْحَمَ الرّٰحِمِیْنَ ط
If you don’t remember this, you may use the supplication recited earlier during Tawaf.

4. Proceed towards Marwah: Come down from Safa and move towards Marwah while reciting supplications. You may also praise Allah and ask for His mercy in your language or use supplications taken from the daily Salah. When you reach two green pillars between which men have to run but the women walk with their normal pace.

5. At Marwah: When you reach marwah, praise Allah facing the Ka’bah and repeat the same supplications that were recited at Safa. One trip is over, second trip will be on Safa and third trip will be on Marwah.

6. End of Saee: In the same way, the seventh trip will end at Marwah. In all trips the men will run between the green pillars but the women will walk in a normal way.

7. Two Raka’at Nafl: If it is not undesirable (Makrooh) time, offer two raka’ats of nafl in the al-Haram.

8. Shaving or Clipping of Hair: After Saee, men should get their heads completely shaved or get their hair clipped to the length of the upper third of their finger or a little more a quarter of the head. Both shaving and clipping are permissible for men, though shaving is preferable. Women are, however, only allowed to have their hair clipped. It is important that at least the hair of one quarter of the head must be cut. They are forbidden to shave their heads.

9. Umrah is Complete: After cutting the hair, Umrah is complete. The restrictions of Ihram are finished. Now wear your everyday clothes and lead a normal life. Be thankful to Allah that He provided the opportunity for performing Umrah and lead rest of your life according to the commands of your Creator.

Nafl Tawaf

You may perform Umrah as often as you want according to the above procedure. And if you want to perform just a nafl Tawaf, follow the same procedure, however, in a nafl Tawaf there is no Ihram, no Ramal, no Iztaba and even no Saee.


Visit of Madina-tu-Munawwra:

After completing your Umrah you must travel to the court of the beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and say Salam in his blessed court and read salah in his masjid.


Reward of Five Hajj Daily:

One should offer a minimum of 40 Ṣalāĥ in Masjid-un-Nabawī. In fact, offer all your Farḍ Ṣalāĥ in this blessed Masjid. The Beloved and Blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated, ‘Whoever makes Wuḍū and leaves with the intention of performing his Ṣalāĥ in my Masjid, will receive the reward of one Hajj.’
(Shu’ab-ul-Īmān, vol. 3, pp.499, Ḥadīš 4191)
May Allah عزوجل enable us to travel to the court of His beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and to perform Umrah as well!
Ameen