Umrah is among many acts of worship, and it is considered a minor pilgrimage. Every Muslim desires to visit the Holy Ka’abah in Masjid Al-Haram, Makkah. Just like any Ibadah, we refresh our faith, seek repentance for our sins, and strengthen our connection with the Almighty.
Umrah is among many acts of worship, and it is considered a minor pilgrimage. Every Muslim desires to visit the Holy Ka’abah in Masjid Al-Haram, Makkah. Just like any Ibadah, we refresh our faith, seek repentance for our sins, and strengthen our connection with the Almighty. Umrah is a way to uplift an individual’s spirit, purify the mind and soul, and is the best way to strengthen the faith in the Almighty and get closer to Allah. Umrah’s act is also compared to jihad, and the individual is protected from poverty and mishaps. Muslims should keep in mind the following etiquette for performing Umrah:
The first and foremost thing to do before starting your pious journey is whether male or female – to take a bath, clip your nails, and shave your pubic and armpit hairs before entering into the state of Ihram. For men, it is advised to trim their mustache and the beard to be neither be shaved nor cut short; rather, it should be left to grow at all times. As for hair of the head, removing anything from it is not recommended while entering into the state of Ihram, whether for a male or a female pilgrim. In a Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (SAW):’
“Do the opposite of what the polytheists do. Keep the beard and cut the mustache short.” The male pilgrim should not apply perfume on his body and not on his dress. As stated in a Hadith recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslims on the authority of the mother of the faithful Aishah (RA) who said: “I applied perfume to the Prophet with my own hands when he wanted to assume the state of Ihram, and I also perfumed him at Mina before he departed from there (to perform Tawaf-al-Ifadah).” It is said that if the time of an obligatory prayer coincides with the time of assuming Ihram, then the pilgrim should assume Ihram after the prayer. It’s recommended for the pilgrims to pray two Rak’ahs after making the ablution.
Men are supposed to enter the state of Ihram with two clean unsewn sheets, one for the lower body and the other for the upper body. After entering the state of Ihram, Muslims should recite “Allahumma Labbayka… ” (Here I am, O Allah, answering Your call for Umrah) if he is performing ‘Umrah alone or Hajj Tamattu”. In case of is performing Hajj and ‘Umrah combined (Qiran) or Hajj alone (Ifrad), he should make the Talbiyyah accordingly. It’s said that it’s supposed to be read out, but softly. After pronouncing the intention, the pilgrim should add, “Fayas sirhu li wa tagabbalhu minni (make it easy for me and accept it from me). After this, he should start reciting the Talabiyyah: “Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, innal-hamda wanni ‘mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak. for more visit here