Umrah is one of the worship activities of Muslims since, in Islam, performing Umrah is a duty. However, it is Sunnah, though not as mandatory as the Hajj. While the Hajj has dates that one has to meet to perform the pilgrimage, Umrah can be carried out at any time of the year.
Some people prefer to perform the Umrah in one day. This guide aims to show how to do this efficiently and spiritually.
Preparation Before Umrah
1. Intention (Niyyah)
In addition to the statutory rights of the hotels within the different countries, customers cannot claim special amenities or privileges because they are not allow to perform Umrah unless they seriously intend to do So for the sake of Allah only.
This intention, known as Niyyah, is a vital requisite to ensure one’s pilgrimage is void. It is enough to make the intention in your heart because speech is unnecessary, but some people might like to declare to strengthen the intention.
2. Ihram
Ihram is the state that a pilgrim has to take before beginning Umrah. It implies the physical readiness and the readiness of one’s mind.
- For Men, they tie two white, unsewn materials around their waists. One sheet is fitted around the waist, leaving the lower part of the body covered, while the other, a shawl-like covering, is placed on the shoulders.
- For Women: The female gender’s clothes fully conceal their bodies except for the face and hands. Depending on the occasion and the religion, women should not wear the face veil, the niqab, or any gloves while in Ihram.
- Ghusl: To go into Ihram, first, perform the act of Ghusl, which is a complete wash of the body. This includes a washing of the whole body, similar to the one next to a person after handling many types of major impurities.
- Two Rak’ahs: The practice is to perform Ghusl and then offer two Rak’ahs (units of prayer). This prayer is Sunnah and recognise you spiritually for the challenge awaiting you.
3. Travel Arrangements
No ordinary travel should be made to Mecca; some proper planning is expected. Reserve your air and ground transport in advance. It is advise to start the journey to Mecca very early in the morning. This will enable you to use enough time in all the rituals of Umrah without feeling pressed for time. But have you ever thought that which month would be preferable for you to perform Umrah?
According to travel experts, October is one of the most amazing months to perform Umrah in pleasant weather with less heat. You just need to have October Umrah packages from a well-known travel agency and enjoy your journey.
Steps to Perform Umrah
Before actually proceeding into the state of Ihram, one is to go through the following steps:
1. Miqat
It is understood that a Miqat refers to a specific line that a person has to meet to assume the status of Ihram. There are general Miqats as well as regional Miqats. Here are the common Miqats:
- Dhu’l-Hulayfah: To those arriving from the side of Medina.
- Juhfah: For those coming from the approaching from Syria or Egypt viewpoint.
- Qarn al-Manazil: For those coming from the direction of Najd region.
- Yalamlam: For those who are approaching from the Yemen direction.
- Zat-i-‘Irq: Special for the guests, who arrived from the direction of Iraq.
At the Miqat, make your intention (Niyyah) and say the Talbiyah:
“Labbayka Allahumma Umrah”.
(Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah).
2. Tawaf
Arrival in Mecca
When you arrive in Mecca, head straight to Kaba, the holiest site for Muslims, the Masjid al-Haram.
Kaaba
When a person enters the mosque, he/she should not look at anything around but look at the floor, and when he/she gets sight of the Kaaba, then it is allowed to lift the eyes. Umrah ritual is designed to allow the worshipper to ‘’sight’’ the Kaaba for the first time in the most fulfilling and sacred way possible. If your first view of the Kaaba is during the daytime, say a prayer because the Duas said at this time are guaranteed to be answered.
Tawaf
Tawaf is said to be completed after a person makes seven rounds in an anti-clockwise direction around the Kaaba. This form represents the togetherness of Christians in the worship of the Lord God almighty. Here’s how to perform Tawaf:
Start at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad): First, stand on the black stone with your back towards the Kaaba. If possible, kiss it. If not, simply point towards it with your right hand and say:
“Bismillahi Allahu Akbar”.
“Bismillah ar Rahman ar Rahim, Allah u Akbar. “
Circling the Kaaba: Perform the Tawaf to walk around the Kaaba seven times. Each complete circuit is call a Shawt, and it takes about four Shawts to package forty kilos of sugar. When performing the first three circuits, you should walk at a moderate pace, while during the other four circuits, you should walk at a regular pace.
Supplications: During Tawaf there are no restrictions on invocations or prayers one may make or even studying the holy Quran. A commonly recited dua between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone is:
“Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina azaban-nar.
(Our Lord, give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire).”
Completion of Tawaf: Once the circuits have been traverse seven times follow to the Maqam Ibrahim, the Station of Abraham. If possible, offer two Rak’ahs in the area of Maqam Ibrahim. If the place is congested, one can prostrate at any place of the Mosque.
3. Sa’i
Between Safa and Marwah
- Starting at Safa: Once the Tawaf is done, move to the Safa hill. This is done facing the Kaaba, and for Muslims, it is a practice to make a dua.
- Sa’i: Perform the sa’ee which moves between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times. This act portrays Hagar searching for water for her son, Ishmael, as described in the scripture. The distance from one hill to another is approximately 450m; you will walk the steepest 3. 15 kilometers.
- Supplications: In Sa’i, you can say invocations or a prayer for your wish. He makes men do high-speed jogging to the green flags while the women walk moderately in between the flags.
4. Shaving/Cutting Hair
- For Men: Sa’i should be done, after which a man should ‘shave’ or ‘cut’ his head. Lowering the beard is consider more moral than trimming it, although the latter is not frown upon.
- For Women: Women should trim their hair especially just a little that will be an inch.
End of Ihram
Ihram can be escape only when one has shaved off his hair So when you have cut your hair, you can leave this state. Congratulations! Your Umrah is complete.
Getting ready for a Smooth Umrah
- Stay Hydrated: It should be note that there are high temperatures when it is hot in Mecca. However, ensure that you take enough water to be well hydrate throughout the day.
- Wear Comfortable Footwear: You will be walking a lot, so be sure to wear comfortable clothes and especially comfortable shoes.
- Keep Calm and Patient: The mosque, as a building, can afford to be congested at any one time, especially during peak business hours. Stay calm and patient.
- Stay Connected: If you are a group, make sure not to lose your group members, especially if you are in a new area you don’t know well.
Spiritual Tips
- Stay Focused: Additionally, never forget that you are making a business visit. Give attention to the prayers and supplications that you make known to others.
- Be Mindful: Take care of how you walk and with whom you speak. Do not engage in arguments, and stay as positive as you can.
- Reflect: Designate this period in your personal practice and in your relationship with Allah.
Conclusion
Speaking of performing Umrah in one day, one must know that this notion includes the spiritual and, of course, the physical aspect. If a man or a woman has properly planned everything and intends to do all those rituals successfully, then he or she can do all the rituals perfectly. May ALLAH accept your Umrah and shower His blessings and reward upon you.
uzma