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Umrah Guide for Men&Women by British Haj Travel

Umrah is a sacred ritual and pilgrimage that all Muslims wish to do once in their lifetime. Here is Umrah guide for men and women by British Haj Travel: 

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Orange for Eng translation of Arabic

 

1. Before setting out for Umrah

 

The first step is to make Ghusl which is a full body wash including washing hair. You are required to trim your nails and trim pubic hair. If it is time for Salah, then perform the full prayer and also offer 2 rakkahs Nafl prayer of travelling.

When you step out of your accomodation, say:

  

 Bismillahi, Tawakkaltu, 'a-lallahi, wa laa hawla wa laa quwatta illah billah

(In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might or power except with Allah)

Also, recite the dua of travelling, which is as follows:

       

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Subhaa-nalathee, Sakha-ra-la-naa ha-thaa wa maa kunaa, lahu muq-ri-nee-na wa innaa ilaa rabbinaa la-mun-qa-le-boon

(Allah is the greatest x3, How perfect He is, The One Who has place this (transport) at our service, and we ourselves would not have been capable of that, and to our Lord if our final destiny.) 

A'uthoo bi-kalimaa tillaah-hitammaa ti-min sharri maa khalaq 

(I take refuge in Allah's perfect words from the evil that He has created.)

During the journey from your house or hotel to the Ka'abah, it is recommended that you keep reciting any Dhikr of Allah, Du'as, recite Quran or read literature on Islam. However, since you are in a state of travelling, whether in the airplane, bus or car you may combine prayers and shorten them. Allah has provided this ease for travelers:

• Dhur (2 Rakaats) & Asr (2 Rakaats) together
• Maghrib (3 Rakaats) & Ishaa (2 Rakaats) together

2. Before reaching Meeqat

Meeqat is the name of the places from where you can change into Ihram and where your Umrah starts. Beyond this point there are many rules to follow as well, as it is a mark that you have entered the holy city of Makkah.

Men have to change into their Ihram, which is the Fardh part of Umrah for men. It is basically 2 pieces of white cloth, and when the men wear this they make the intention to perform Umrah and recite this :

Labbaik Allahumma 'Umrah  

 (Here I am O Allah making 'Umraah)

If you have a feeling that you may fall ill or be subjected to anything that may cause a problem in the Umrah, or if they feel their Umrah might not be completed, they can trim their hair and do not have to pay ransom. The du'a is as following:

Allahumma mahillee haithu habastanee 

(I come out of the state of Ihraam from the place You prevent me from continuing).

After you have performed Wudhu and made intention of Umrah, you can also say Nafl prayers if you wish. Then the men are required to raise their voices, while women whisper the Talbiyah, which is as follows:

Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk,

innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak lak

(Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner. Here I am.

Surely all praise, grace and dominion is yours, and you have no partner.)

You continue reciting Talbiyah until you reach the Ka'aba.

 3. When entering Masjid and Ka'abah

The most important thing to remember is to enter the Masjid with your right foot and recite the du'a of entering a mosque:

Bismillahi, Allallhumma salli 'alaa muhammadin wa sallim – allahumma aftah lee abwaaba rahmatika

(In the name of Allah! O Allah! Exalt the mention of your Messenger. O Allah! Forgive my sins, and open the gates of Your mercy for me).

When you look at the Ka'abah, make a du'a for yourself and that Allah makes Umrah easy for you. Immediately start taking round of the Ka'abah also known as Tawaf. Before the men start Tawaf, they are required to bare their right shoulder. This baring of shoulders is called Idtiba'a, and is ONLY during Tawaf after which they are required to cover both shoulders. The Tawaf must be performed while in the state of Wudhu by both men and women.

4. Performing Tawaf

 

There is a green light that denotes the starting point of the Tawaf. You should stand before it, and that is also the point where the Black Stone is. Say Bismillah, allahu Akbar, just before you should kiss the Hajr-e-Aswad or Black Stone if you can, otherwise you should touch with your right hand or face towards it and point at it with your right hand.

Raml is a ritual that is performed only by men, in which they do the Tawaf around the Ka'abah with quick steps during the first 3 round and then at normal pace during the rest of the 4 rounds. When you reach the Yemeni corner of the Ka'abah you are required to touch it or point towards it, reciting only Bismillah Allahu Akbar without saying or reciting anything else.

When walking from Temeni Corner towards the Black Stone, recite this du'a

Rabbanaa aatinaa fid-dunyaa hasanatan wa feel aakhirati hasanatan wa qinaa 'adhaaban naar

(Our Lord, grant us good in this life and good in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Hellfire.[Quran; 2:201])

one round of the Ka'abah or Tawad is complete when you reach the starting point or the Black Stone again. The rest of the 6 rounds are to be completed in the exact same way as the first. Except the dua's mentioned, there are no sepcific du'as that you have to recite. You can make du'a for yourself, your family etc and whatever your heart feels like. You can recite the Quran as well.

5. Maqaam-e-Ibrahim

 

Once you have completed the Tawaf, the next step is to proceed towards the Maqaam-e-Ibrahim. This is the Station of Ibrahim, and recite this verse from the Quran:

Wattakhidhoo min-maqaami ibraaheema musalla

(And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraheem as a place of Prayer. [Quran; 2:125])

You should pray two Rak'ahs at the Maqaam-e-Ibrahim or as close as possible or if that is not possible then anywhere in the Masjid-e-Haram. There is no obligatory way of performing this, but it is preferred that you recite Surah Al Fatiha and Surah Al Kafiroon in the first Rak'ah and Surah Al Fatiha and Surah Al-Ikhlaas during the second Rak'ah.

  

6. Zam Zam Wells

Go to the Zam Zam well after performing the 2 Rak'ahs at Maqaam-e-Ibrahim. Drink the pure water of Zam Zam and make du'a before drinking it. Always drink it with your right hand.

7. Perform the Sayee

The Sayee or Sai is the performance of 7 circuits to and fro the As-Safa and Al-Marwa mountains. When you leave the Mosque to go twoards Sayee, recite the du'a for leaving a mosque:

Bismillahi was-salaatu was-salaamu 'alaa rasoolillahi, Allahum-ma inee a'-aluka min fadhlika, Allahum-ma a'simnee minash-shaitaanie-rajeem 

(In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah.O Allah, I ask You from Your favour. O Allah, guard from the accursed devil.)

When you reach the Mount of As-Safa, recite the following verse from the quran:

Innas-safaa wal marwata min sha'aa'irillaahi faman hajjal baita 'awi'tamara falaa janaaha 'alaihi an yattawwafa bihimaa wa man tatawwa'a khiran fa'innallaha shaakirun 'aleemun

(Verily, As-Safaa and Al-Marwah are from the symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or 'Umrah of the house (ka 'bah) to perform the going (tawaaf) between them. And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah is the All-Recognizer, All-Knower. [Quran; 2:158])

Then,

 

Abda'u bimaa bada'Allahu bihi

(I begin with what Allah began with.)

You should get in the Mount of As-Safa, face towards the Ka'abah and recite this thrice:

Allahu akbar allahu akbar allahu akbar.

(Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest)

Then recite,

Laa ilaaha illa Allah, Wahdahu laa Sharika lah, Lah ul-Mulk, Wa lah ul-Hamd, Wa huwa 'ala Kulli shay'in Qadeer, Laa ilaaha illa Allah, Anjaza wa'dah, Wa Nasara 'abdah, Wa hazam al-Ahzaba wahdah

(There  is  nothing  worthy  of  worship  except  Allah,  Alone.  He  has  no  partner,  To  Him  belongs  the  kingdom,  &  all  praise belongs to Him, & He has power above all things, There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, He fulfilled His promise, Granted victory to His servant, And alone He defeated the allied army.)

Once you have recited the dua and verses, you recite Durood and make any supplications for yourself, you family etc. Then descend the Mount and proceed towards the Mount of Marwah. There is a small patch in the middle of the path where there are green lights. Only men are required to lightly jog but do not run between it, while women can slightly hasten their steps. You should return to the normal pace of walking once you are past the green lights. When you reach Mount Marwah, you will have completed 1 circuit. You are required to recite the same verses and du'as as the ones given above for Mount As-Safa.

Between the walking between the two mountains, you should recite any personal supplications for yourself, family, friends and the Ummah. You can also recite any Dua's or verses from the Quran.

7. Trim/Cut Hair 
 

Men are required to trim their hair, it is preferable to shave all their hair but even a trim is allowed. While, women are supposed to cut off a lock of their hair, only about an inch. You have now completed your Umrah, men and women are out of their state of Ihram so all regulations of Ihram are also lifted.