Muslims from all over the world use Cheap december Umrah Packages out of London to embark on the solemn trek to Mecca once a year. Millions of people make the journey to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform the sacred ceremonies associated with the umrah, even though it is a sunnah pilgrimage and not mandatory like a hajj. Nonetheless, it is just as significant and carries just as many benefits as the Hajj.
When is Umrah Performed?
Since Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage, it can be performed at any time of year (sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad SAWW). Keep in mind that this does not apply during hajj days, as Muslims are obligated to perform certain rites as part of their trip.
Rituals of Umrah
The small pilgrimage involves four main rites.
- Assuming the state of Ihram
• To complete the holy ceremonies of Umrah, a traveller must enter into the sanctified state called Ihram. Nonetheless, pilgrims’ special garb for this time of year is also called Ihram.
• For men, the requirement of Ihram is limited to two sheets of white fabric. The Iza is a garment worn to conceal the lower torso. It extends from just above the belly button to just above the knees. The upper body covering sheet (Rida) is worn like a shawl, draped over the shoulders.
• Women don’t have to change into a special outfit for Ihram because female pilgrims aren’t required to. Whatever you wear, though, remember that it must be plain, modest, and loose fitting in accordance with Islamic teachings.
• Before donning Ihram, pilgrims must conduct Ghusl by cutting their hair and nails short.
Meeqat
Only in the state of Ihram should Umrah pilgrims pass the Meeqat barrier. A penalty is payable for the pilgrim if he or she crosses the boundary of Miqat in any other way, but the Umrah trip will still be legal.
There are a total of five Miqat stations covering all the corners of Makkah. Namely;
- Dhul Hulayfah
- Al-Juhfah
- Qarn al-Manazil
- Dhat Irq
- Yalamlam
Therefore, it is incumbent upon pilgrims to research the Miqat location appropriate for their area of travel and accept Ihram there prior to arriving in Makkah.
- Tawaf of the Holy Kaaba
• To perform Tawaf, Muslims walk seven times around the Holy Kaabah, beginning and ending at the spot marked by the Black Stone, Hajar-al-Aswad. Consequently, that’s one whole lap.
• The right shoulder of men should be exposed at all times while performing Raml for Tawaf.
• Pilgrims must conduct Tawaf anticlockwise, with the Kaabah always on their left.
• After doing the tawaf, pilgrims must pray the Salat al-Tawaf in the area around the Maqam el-Ibrahim.
- Sayee of Safah and Marwah Hills
• Within Masjid al-Haram’s boundaries can be found the Safa and Marwah Hills. To fulfil the Sayee rite, Umrah pilgrims must traverse these two hills seven times, either on foot or at a brisk run.
• Sayee must be conducted so that the first round begins in Safah and moves towards Marwah, and so on and so forth until the last round concludes at Marwah Hill. - Halq or Taqsir
After the Sayee ceremony is complete, men pilgrims must shave their heads fully (Halq), however they have the option to trim if they like. In contrast, female pilgrims are only permitted to cut their hair as short as a fingertip (Taqsir).
Following this rite, Umrah travellers can renounce their Ihram state.
This concludes our coverage of the fundamentals of Umrah.