Umrah Guidance

Umrah Guidance

Umrah is an Islamic ritual that can be performed at any time of the year, unlike Hajj which has specific dates according to the Islamic lunar calendar. Umrah, also known as the lesser pilgrimage, includes some of the rituals of Hajj but can be completed in a few hours.

Here are the basic procedures:

1. Ihram:

The first step in Umrah is entering the state of Ihrah. Men should wear two white seamless cloths with no stitches. One should be worn around the waist reaching below the knee, while the other is worn around the shoulders. Women can wear any dress that fulfills the Islamic code. During Ihram, certain things are forbidden such as shaving, cutting nails, applying perfume, and engaging in marital relations.

2. Tawaf: 

Pilgrims must circumambulate the Kaaba seven times, in an anticlockwise direction. Starting from the Black Stone (Hajr-e-Aswad) pilgrims must walk around the Kaaba. They should try to touch or kiss the Black Stone but if it's not possible due to crowd, they can just point to it each time they pass.

3. Sa’ee: 

This is the ritual of walking back and forth seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, located near the Kaaba. This ritual is a reenactment of Hajar’s frantic search for water for her son, Ismael.

4. Halq or Taqsir: 

Lastly, men must either shave their heads (Halq) or trim their hair (Taqseer). Women only need to cut a fingertip length of their hair.

Note:

 Pilgrims are recommended to perform two Rakah of prayer after Tawaf and drink Zam Zam water, a blessed water source located near the Kaaba.

Though not mandatory as the Hajj, Umrah is highly recommended in Islam and can be performed at any time throughout the year, except during the days of Hajj. Please remember the rituals can vary slightly depending on the different schools of Islamic thought. It is always advised to consult with a religious authority or an experienced guide when preparing for Umrah.