Umrah For Women
Umrah is a great Sunnah in Islam, it can be performed at any time of year whereas Hajj is a compulsory (fard) worship in Islam, and therefore, it can be performed at a specific time of year. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) performed 4 Umrah and 1 Hajj in his life. There is no restriction to perform Umrah in multi times.
The best idea for everyone to perform Umrah is Umrah Packages which is given by travel agencies. This package helps in Umrah journey.
There are some different steps for women and men for performing the Umrah, which is discussed here briefly.
A woman needs a Mahram to perform Umrah. If she is not an inhabitant of Saudia then she will need a visa to enter the country of Saudi Arabia, so that, she can perform Umrah. It is a rule of Saudi Arabia that Umrah Visa will not be issued to a woman without a Mahram whose age is under 45 years and Visa will issue without a Mahram in this condition if woman is above and equal to age of 45 years (she will need to submit a permission letter from her Mahram that he has no objection to performing Umrah alone). It is also essential for a woman (who is above or equal to 45 years) to perform Umrah with an organized group.
Umrah is not prescribed for such a woman who is in Iddah or Iddat. Iddah is period for a woman which is started after the death of her husband and divorce, therefore, she will need to complete this period and then she can go to perform Umrah with a Mahram.
It is allowable for a woman that she can wear the normal dress (loose- fitting) which she wears in her normal life and it is called Ihram for a woman. Ihram is a garment of Umrah and it is the main purpose to cover the main organs of the body. Ihram is different for men and women while a man covers his body with two unsewn white sheets and it is called Ihram for man.
A woman should cover her dress with an Abaya because it is better for her. Some women wear white color Abaya and some wear black color Abaya. There is no restriction to wear a specific color of Abaya.
Before wearing the Ihram:
A woman should trim nail and hair (including the private areas and armpit). She should take a bath of Ghusl. After the bath, she should offer two rakats of Sunnah.
What is permitted in the state of Ihram?
A woman can wear closed footwear, socks, etc.
A woman can use lotions and creams (if medically necessary).
She can wear glasses.
What is prohibited in the state of Ihram?
A woman can’t clip the nails and can’t trim or shave body hair.
She can’t use perfume, scent, and any cosmetic product.
She can’t wear jewelry (for adornment).
She can’t cover her face and hands.
She can’t involve in sexual activity with her husband.
She can’t marry.
She can’t fight, use unsavory language.
She can’t hunt other living creatures (unless in the case of self-defense).
It is not allowed for a woman that she recites a Talbiyah loudly as it is allowable for a man to recite it loudly.
Tawaf process is the same for man and woman but the woman needs here some precautions during the Tawaf. During Tawaf, every Muslim (man & woman) wants to touch and kiss the Hajre Aswad and it is not easy for everyone.
Hazrat Ayesha (RA) used to do Tawaf far away from the men, not mixing with them. A woman said: “O Mother of the Believers, let us go and touch the Black Stone (Hajre Aswad)!” She said: “Go yourself” she refused to go.
An opinion for all women:
The best place for women to do Tawaf up on the roof of the mosque. Women may be worried to cover the long distance of Tawaf but they should follow the path of Hazrat Ayesha (RA). A woman should take herself away from the crowd of men there. After completing the Tawaf, It is not necessary for a woman to offer two rakats in front of Maqame Ibrahim, she can offer two rakats at any place of the mosque where the crowd of pilgrims (men) is low.
What is Saee?
Saee means to run between the two hills Safa and Marwa. Woman fast walk between two hills but she should take herself away from the crowd of men. The speed of walking of women should a little bit low than the speed of men.
Last rite of Umrah; cutting the hairs completely or shortly. This rite is different for men and women. Often time women ask a question that where they perform this rite of Umrah. It is not right for a woman to cut her hairs at the Mount of Marwah and Al-Haram Mosque where men cut their hairs.
The best opinion for the woman to cut her hair is the place where she stays in the hotel. Women should cut their hair only for one fingernail.
A woman cannot perform the Umrah in the menstruation and she can’t perform Umrah during the bleeding after childbirth. She should perform Umrah later that period because it is better for her.