UMRAH

UMRAH

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Umrah is a Sunnah. There is no particular time for
performing Umrah. It can be performed anytime
except the days of Haj i.e. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13th of
Dhul Hijjah.

The excellence of ‘Umrah
There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi, Sunan Nasai,
and Sunan Ibn Majah:
Translation of Hadith: It is narrated on the authority
of Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Mas'ud that the Holy
Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: You keep
on performing Haj and ‘Umrah as Haj and ‘Umrah
wipe out poverty and sins the way a furnace
cleanses iron, gold and silver, etc. (Jame’ Tirmidhi,
Hadith No: 810; Sunan Nasai, Hadith No: 2630;
Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No: 2887)
There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih
Muslim:
Translation of Hadith: It is narrated on the authority
of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased
with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam) said: One ‘Umrah is the expiation of sins
until another ‘Umrah and the reward for an
accepted Haj is nothing but Jannah. (Sahih
Bukhari, Hadith No: 1773; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No:
3355)
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There is a Hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah:
Translation of Hadith: It is narrated on the authority
of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased
with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam) said: Those who perform Haj and ‘Umrah
are the guests of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). If
they ask anything of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala),
He accepts it and if they ask for pardon, He forgives
them.
The rules of ‘Umrah
There are 2 Fardh in ‘Umrah:
1. Wearing the Ihram with the intention of ‘Umrah
and reciting the Talbiya (Labbaik Allahumma
Labbaik….).
2. The Tawaf of Ka’aba.
There are 2 Wajib in Umrah:
1. Performing the Sae’e between Safa and Marwa.
2. To get Halaq (shaving) or Qasr (haircut) done.
Those who live inside the boundaries of the Haram
are called “Harmi”
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The Meeqat (boundaries from where you cannot
proceed without Ihram) are for Haj outside the
Haram itself and for ‘Umrah, Hill, i.e. the area
outside the boundaries of Haram like Masjid ‘Aisha
(May Allah be well pleased with her) or Ja’araniya
(name of place), etc.
The area outside the boundaries of the Haram till
the Meeqat is called Hill. Those who live in this area
are called Hilli for e.g. the residents of Jeddah, etc.
If these people come to Makkah with the intention
of ‘Umrah or Haj, they should bind their Ihram right
from their houses.
Those people who live outside the Meeqat and come
for Haj/’Umrah are called “Aafaaqi.” The Holy
Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) Himself fixed
the Meeqat for those who come from the corners of
the world to perform Haj/’Umrah. There is a Hadith
in Sahih Bukhari:
Translation of Hadith: It is narrated on the authority
of Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Abbas (May Allah be well
pleased with them), he said that the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) fixed the Meeqat for
the residents of Madinah at “Dhul Hulaifah”, for
those who come from Syria at “Jahfa” and for those
who come from Najd at “Qarn Ul Manazil” and for
those who come from Yemen at “Yalamlam.” (Sahih
Bukhari, Hadith No: 1526)
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There is a Hadith in Sahih Muslim:
Translation of Hadith: The Meeqat for those from
Iraq is Dhat ‘Arq. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No: 2867)
The Shariah definition of Ihram
The literal meaning of Ihram is “to prohibit.” When
a “Muhrim” (a person who wears and Ihram) wears
the Ihram and recites the Talbiya, some things
which are otherwise permissible and allowed are
prohibited for that person. For this reason, it is
called Ihram.
Ihram as people understand it
Generally, Ihram are those 2 pieces of cloth, which
a Muhrim or Haji use, one as a lower garment and
one as an upper garment. After the (Ghusl) bath,
one cloth should be draped on the upper body and
the other should be used as a garment for a lower
body.
It is Afdhal (superior) if the cloths of the Ihram are
new, but used Ihram can also be used after washing
them. As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Kitabul
Manasik.
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Ihram for women
No particular dress has been prescribed for women
as Ihram. Their usual clothes are enough provided
they cover the body appropriately and are modest.
For men, it is prohibited to cover their head and
face. For women, only covering their face is
prohibited. Before Non-Mahram people, women
might use such veils to cover their faces in which
cloth does not touch the face.
When deciding to wear the Ihram, remove excess
hair (as hair cannot be removed once in Ihram) and
take a complete bath. Women, even if they are in
their menses should take a bath. Then cover the
head with the chador of the Ihram and offer 2
Raka’at Salaat (at a time when offering Salaat is not
Makruh like sunrise, sunset and high noon). In the
1st Raka’at, Surah Kafiroon, in the 2nd Surah Ikhlas
should be recited. After completion of the Salaat,
remove the covering of the head, face the Qiblah
and make the Niyyah (intention) of Umrah. Niyyah
is to make a (firm) intention with the heart, but still
actually saying it is also Mustahab (commendable).
The Niyyah for Umrah
Allahumma Innee Ureedul ‘Umrata fayassirha Lee
Wa Taqabbalha minnee
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Translation: O Allah! I make the intention of
Umrah, You make this easy for me and accept it.
It is Wajib to recite the Talbiya once along when
making the intention of Umrah and it is Mustahab to
recite it thrice. Men should recite it loudly and
women softly.
The Talbiya
Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik, Labbaik La Shareeka
Laka Labbaik. Innal Hamda wan Ni’mata Laka Wal
Mulk.La Shareeka Laka.
After reciting the Talbiya, other Dhikr, Tasbeeh of
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and Durud and
Salaam on the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam) should be recited. One should supplicate
with utmost humility and with tears in the eyes, in
whatever language we can.
After wearing the Ihram, some things become
prohibited for a Muhrim. These must be avoided.
The prohibitions of Ihram
Six things become prohibited for a Muhrim. Of
these, 4 are about both men and women and 2
relate only to men.
1. Having sex with one’s spouse and everything
related to it to the extent of even talk about it.
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2. Hunting the terrestrial animals or even guiding
towards the prey.
3. Getting a haircut or cutting nails.
4. Using perfume/fragrance of any kind.
These 4 things are prohibited for both men and
women. The following 2 are only for men:
1. To wear sewn clothes.
2. To cover the head and the face.
If any of the above is done in Ihram, then as per
the rules given next, Kaffara (expiation) and/or
Sadqa (charity) will become Wajib.
In the first case, if someone has sex with the
spouse or engages in kissing/fondling, then Dam
(sacrifice of a goat or such animal) becomes Wajib,
irrespective of whether ejaculation has occurred or
not.
In case of hunting, whatever price 2 just Muslims
decide for the prey should be given in charity. This
is also Wajib.
If hair are removed from any part of the body
(including the head) or from the whole body in 1
sitting, then 1 Dam becomes Wajib. If hair are
removed in separate sittings, then separate Dam
becomes Wajib i.e. as many Dam as the sittings.
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If the hair of the head, beard, neck, armpits and
private parts are removed then Dam becomes Wajib
and if the hair from other parts of the body are
removed then 1 Sadqa Fitr becomes Wajb.
If in Ihram all the nails of the hands and feet are
cut or all the nails of 1 hand or 1 foot are cut, then
Dam becomes Wajib. If less than 5 nails are cut,
then for every nail half a “Sa’a” i.e. almost 1.25 kg
of wheat or its price is to be given in charity. If the
nail is broken in such a manner that it will not grow
anymore, then there is no problem in removing it.
(Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 1, Pg No: 244)
If fragrance/perfume is applied on one large part of
the body (like hand) or it is applied on different
parts of the body in such a manner that when
collected, it equals the amount of large body part,
then Dam becomes Wajib.
For men, wearing slippers/shoes/socks that cover
the ankle is prohibited. However, for women, using
such footwear is not prohibited.
Other things which are prohibited:
1. Committing sins, quarrelling, being angry with
fellow-travelers, servants, etc. for worldly matters is
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also prohibited. However, expressing
anger/displeasure in matters of Deen and
performing the duty of enjoining what is good and
forbidding what is wrong is not prohibited.
2. To tie a cloth on the face/head even because of
a disease is prohibited. Wearing/using colorful
clothes, which have been dyed in fragrant
substances, is not allowed. However, it is allowed if
those clothes have been used and there is no longer
any fragrance in them.
3. Eating scented things like spices, eating such
uncooked eatables, which are scented and whose
smell is strong enough and similarly clothes which
are scented in any way.
4. Applying Henna (Mehndi) to the hair or any
other part of the body and applying oil as well.
5. Scratching in such a way that lice die; or killing
lice either with the body (like hand) or with the
cloth or asking someone else to kill them or
exposing them to heat for killing them.
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Cutting the trees, which are within the boundary of
Haram or grazing animals on them; except for
“Idhkhir” grass.
Those things which are Makruh in Ihram
Those things, which are Makruh (Undesirable) in
Ihram and there is no expiation/atonement for them
are:
1. Cleaning the body of dirt/filth.
2. Unbraiding the hair (for women)
3. Combing the hair or beard.
4. Scratching the hair or beard in such a way that
there is no danger of killing lice or of hair being
broken.
5. Tying the chador of the Ihram on the neck.
6. Covering the face or head with the cloth of the
Ka’aba (Ghilaaf-e-Ka’aba) in such a way that it
touches the face.
7. To tie either end or both ends of the chador of
Ihram and tie them with a thorn, needle or a piece
of thread. To join the 2 flaps of the chador of the
lower garment or the upper garment, either by
sewing or patches, and draping it around the body.
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8. Of women, wearing non-fragrant, black, yellow
or blue clothes. Smelling a fragrance or touching it,
provided it does not rub into the hand itself or
smelling fragrant flowers, fruits, etc. Visiting or
sitting a perfumer’s shop/place for the sake of
fragrance.
9. Tying a cloth on any part of the body excepting
the face/head without the need for it or covering the
nose or chin with a cloth, but covering with the
hand is not Makruh.
10. If any scented food item like spices, etc. are
cooked and its smell has become weak, then even
though the smell is there, eating it is Makruh.
11. Having spices (cloves, Elaichi, etc.) or scented
tobacco in Paan, etc.
Recite the Talbiya and Durud profusely. When
entering Masjid Haram, become a model of humility,
and recite the following Du’a:
Bismillahi Walhamdulillahi Was Salaatu Wassalamu
‘Ala Rasulillah. Allahummaf Tahali Abwaba
Rahmatika Wad Khilnee Fiha. Allahumma Innee
Asaluka Fi Maqamee Hadha An Tusallee ‘Ala
Sayyidina Muhammadin ‘Abdika Wa Rasulika Wa An
Tarhamnee Wa Tuqeela Atharatee Wa Taghfir
Dhunubee Wa Tadha’a ‘Anee Vizree.
Then enter with the right foot.
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When the sight falls on the Ka'aba, stop and
supplicate, as this is a special occasion when the
prayers are accepted.
It is given in "Bahr Ur Raiq" that Hadhrat Imam Abu
Hanifa (May Allah be well pleased with him)
instructed a person that on seeing the Ka'aba, pray
that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) accepts all my
prayers. With this 1 Du’a, all other supplications
will be accepted.
It is better that along with this Du‘a, one should
also pray: O Allah! Guide me to ask for good and
permissible things.
If it is the time for any Salaat, then first offer
Salaat. If it is not, then come to the Mataf (the
area of Tawaf) with Idhteba’a.
Idhteba’a is that the chador of the Ihram should be
passed below the armpit of the right shoulder to the
left shoulder.
Raml is to walk moving both the shoulders, with the
chest puffed out, the way wrestlers walk in the
arena.
In the Tawaf after which Sae’e is to be performed
i.e., the Tawaf of either ‘Umrah or Haj, Raml and
Idhteba'a both are there. For women, there is
neither Raml nor Idhteba’a
Move towards the Hajr Aswad reciting the following
Du‘a:
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Allahumma Antas Salaamu Wa Minkas Salaamu
Fahayyina Rabbana Bis Salaam Wad Khilna Dar As
Salaam Tabarakta Rabbana Wa Ta’aalayta Ya Dhal
Jalaali Wal Ikram. Allahumma Zid Hadhal Baita
Tashreefan Wa Ta'adheeman, Wa Takreeman, Wa
Birran Wa Mahaabatan Wa Zid Min Sharafihi Wa
Karamihi Mimman Hajjahu Avi’tamarahu Tashreefan
Wa Ta’adheeman Wa Takreeman Wa Birran.
The Labbaik that you were reciting from the time of
the Niyyah of the Ihram should be stopped now.
Then keeping the right shoulder in line with the left
side of Hajr Aswad, so that the whole Hajr Aswad is
on the right side, make the intention (Niyyah) of
Tawaf in the following words:
Allahumma Innee Ureedu Tawafa Baitikal Haraami
Sab’ata Ashwatin Fa Yassirhulee wa Taqabbalhu
Minnee
Then come in front of Hajr Aswad and say:
Bismillahi Wallahu Akbar Wa Lillahil Hamdu Was
Salaatu ‘Ala Sayyidina Rasulullahi Sallallahu alaihi
wa sallam
Reciting the following Du’a, raise the hands till the
ears and drop them. Then keep both the hands on
the Hajr Aswad and kiss it. This is called Istelaam
and here it is Mustahab that the face and forehead
both should be touched and kiss it 3 times.
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Du’a while kissing Hajr Aswad
Allahumma Eemaanan Bika Wa Tasdeeqan
Bikitabika Wawa Faa am Biahdika Wa Ittiba an Li
Sunnati Nabiyyika Muhammadin Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam.
If there is such a rush that kissing Hajr Aswad is not
possible, then touch it and kiss it; if this is not
possible then touch with a stick, etc and kiss it and
if even this is not possible then raise the hands in
that direction reciting:
Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Illallahu Wal Hamdulillahi
Ta’ala Was Salaatu ‘Ala Nabiyyihil Mustafa Sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam.
Kiss the hands, with certitude, as if you have
touched it with both hands. Kiss it without a sound.
Then with the Idhteba’a and Raml walk towards the
right side.
While performing Tawaf, recite whatever Du‘a you
remember. When you return to the Hajr Aswad,
one round of Tawaf is completed. In this way,
perform 7 rounds and keep performing Istelaam.
After completing Tawaf, move towards the Maqam
Ibrahim reciting the following verse of the Holy
Quran:
Wat Takhizu Mim Maqami Ibrahima Musalla
Near Maqam Ibrahim offer 2 Raka’at. In the first
Raka’at, recite Surah Al Kafiroon and in the second
Raka’at, Surah Ikhlaas. As per Hanafi school of
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Fiqh, these 2 Raka’at are Wajib. If there is rush
near Maqam Ibrahim, then offer it wherever
possible in the Masjid Haraam. If it is the time
when Salaat should not be offered (the Makruh time
for Salaat), then it should be offered after this time
ends.
After this come near the Multazam, the place
between the door of the Ka’aba and the Hajr Aswad.
Extend both hands and place your chest, stomach
and the right cheek to the wall of the Ka’aba and
keep making Dua.
After this, turn to the Qibla and drink Zam Zam as
much as possible. This time is also one of
acceptance of Dua. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam) said: Whatever purpose Zam Zam
is drank for, that purpose will be achieved.
At this time, recite this Du‘a:
Allahumma Innee 'Asaluka ‘Ilman Nafi’an wa Rizqan
Wasi’an Wa ‘Amalan Salihan Wa Shifa'an Min Kulli
da’
When going to Safa for Sa’ee, perform Istalaam of
Hajr Aswad. In this way, this will be the 9th
Istelaam of Hajr Aswad.
Recite the following Du’a while leaving the Masjid
Haram and put the left foot out of the Masjid first:
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Allahumma Innee Ureedu Sa’aya Bain As Safa Wal
Marwati Fa Yassirhu Lee Wa Taqabbalhu Minnee
It is Mustahab (Commendable) to go for the Sae’e
from Bab Us Safa.
While going for Sae’e, recite the following Du‘a:
Abdaoo Bima Badallahu Bihi, Bismillahir Rahmanir
Raheem, Innasafa wal marwata Min Sha'aairillahi
Faman Hajjil Baita Avi’i Tamara Fala Junaha ‘Alaihi
Ayn Yattawwafa Bihima Wa Man Tatawwa’a Khairan
Fa Innallaha Shakirum ‘Aleem.
After climbing Safa, turn towards the Ka'aba, raise
the hands up to the shoulders with the palms facing
the sky and recite the following Du‘a:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Wa Lillahil
Hamd. Al Hamdu Lillahi Ta'ala’ ‘Ala Ma Hadana. Al
Hamdulilahi ‘Ala Ma Aulana. Al Hamdulillahi ‘Ala Ma
Alhamana. Al Hamdulillahi Hadana Wa Ma Kunna Li
Nahtadiya Laula An Hadana. Allahu La Ilaha
Illallahu Wahdahu La Shareeka Lahu. Lahul Mulku
Wa Lahul Hamdu Yuhyee Wa Yumeetu Wa Huwa
Hayyu La Yamutu Bi Yadihil Khairi Wa Huwa ‘Ala
Kulli Shain Qadeer. La Ilaha Illallahu Wahdahu Wa
Sadaqa Wa’adahu, Wa Nasara ‘Abdahu, Wa A’aazza
Jundahu, Wa Hazamal Ahzaba Wahdah. La Ilaha
Illallahu Wa La Na’abudu Illa Iyyah, Mukhlisina
Lahuddeena Wa Lau Karihal Kafiroona Allahumma
Innaka Qulta wa Qaulukal Haqqa Ud‘ooni Astajib
Lakum Wa Innaka La Tukhliful Meea’ad Wa Innee
Asaluka Kama Hadaitani Lil Islami Al La Tanzi‘au
Minnee Hatta Tawaffanee Wa Ana Muslimun.
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Subhanallahi Wal Hamdulillahi Wa La Ilaha Illallahu
Wallahu Akbar Wa La Haula Wa La Quwwata Illa
Billahil 'Aliyyil ‘Azeem Allahumma Salli Wa Sallim
‘Ala Sayyidina Muhammadin Wa ‘Ala Aalihi Wa
Sahbihi Wa Atba’aihi Ila Yaumiddin.
Allahummaghfirlee Wali Walidayya Wali Mashaiikhi
Walil Muslimeena ‘Ajma'een Was Salaamu ‘Alal
Mursaleen Wal Hamdu Lillahu Rabbil A’alameen.
Whatever Du’a we remember, we should recite as
this is a place where supplications are accepted.
Then while going from Safa to Marwah, walk with a
medium speed.
While coming down from Safa, recite the following
prayer:
Allahummas Ta’amilnee Bi Sunnati Nabiyyika Wa
Tawaffinee ‘Ala Millatihi, Wa A’aidhnee Mim
Mudhillatil Fitani Bi Rahmatika Ya Arhamar
Rahimeen.
Between the "Meelain-e-Akhdharain" (where green
lights are there) walk fast. Women should walk
here also at their normal pace.
At the "Meelain-e-Akhdharain," the following Du’a
should be recited:
Rabbighfir Warham Wa’afu Watakarram Watawaz
‘Amma Ta’alam, Innaka Ta’alamu Ma La Na’alam
Innaka Antal A’a Azzaul Akram.
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In this way from Safa to Marwah, one round is
completed. On reaching Safa, it will be 2 rounds.
For those who start from Marwah, the first round
from Marwah will not be counted.
On reaching the summit of Marwah, recite the Dua
in the same way as on Safa. Then come back from
Marwah to Safa. The last (7th) round will be
completed on Safa. Walk fast in the "Meelain-e-
Akhdharain."
It is Mustahab (commendable)to offer 2 Raka’at Nafl
after Sae’e. As given in Fatawa A'alamgiri.
After completing the Sa’ee, then shave the head.
Be it Umrah of Haj, it is Wajib to shave or get the
hair trimmed on opening (coming out of) the
Ihraam. Not doing this will make Dam Wajib.
It is better to get the whole head shaved. In case
somebody is getting a haircut, it is a Sunnah to get
the hair trimmed more than the length of one finger
pad. If hair out of one-fourth of the head is cut,
then the Wajib is done, but this is not entirely free
of undesirability.
Women can get more than a finger pad’s length of
hair cut from either the whole of their head or a
fourth of the head.
While having this done, the women should not keep
their head uncovered in such a way that others can
see them.
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It is Wajib to get this done in the limits of the
Haram. If it is done outside the Haram, then Dam
becomes Wajib.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has
rewarded those who get their head shaved while
coming out of Ihraam with special prayers. There is
a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari:
Translation of Hadith: It has been narrated on the
authority of Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Umar (May Allah
be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: O Allah! Have
mercy on those who get their heads shaved. The
Sahabah requested: O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam) those who get their hair trimmed?
He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: O Allah! Have
mercy on those who get their heads shaved. The
Sahabah requested: O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam), those who get their hair trimmed?
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
May Allah have mercy on them as well. (Sahih
Bukhari, Hadith No. 1612)
Now the Umrah is done. Now as long as you remain
in Makkah, you can perform as many Tawaf as you
want to and if there is a desire to perform another
Umrah, then the Aafaqi can also tie their Ihraam
from Masjid ‘Aisha (May Allah be well pleased with
her), etc.
May Allah Ta’ala, for the sake of the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), grant us Haj, Umrah
and the privilege to pay our respects to the Holy
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Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Aameen Bi
Jahi Sayyidil Mursaleen
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