Umrah
The word `umrah means `to visit`. In Islamic terms, it encompasses the following four actions: 1. Ihram [F] 2. Tawaf of the Ka`bah [F] 3. Sa`i between Safa and Marwa [W] 4. Shaving or Cutting the hair on the head [W]
How to put an Ihram on
- Take a bath or [if not possible, then] make ablution.
- Don two new or [at least] washed clothes which are not stitched like clothing (i.e. the izar for the lower body and the rida for the upper body).
- Apply fragrance if you wish.
- Observe two rak`ah covering your head
- Uncover your head.
- Make the intention, “O Allah, I intend `Umrah/ Hajj, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.”
- Recite the talbiyah vocally [without adding any words in between], “Labbayk, Allaahumma labbayk. Labbayka, laa shareeka laka, labbayk. Innal hamda wan ni`mata laka wal mulk. Laa shareeka lak.”
- You are now in the state of ihram. Be careful of the ihram restrictions.
- Ihram is mainly to make an intention with the talbiyah uttered vocally.
Note: You will have to enter into ihram before passing the miqat.
What to stay away from in ihram
It is impermissible [for men] in ihram to:
- Hunt land animals
- Guide a hunter to a prey
- Wear a shirt, trousers, a cap, a robe or anything which is stitched or embroidered or made in the shape of the body or to wear gloves, socks, shoes as well as sandals which cover the humped bone on top of the feet [or the ankles].
- Cover the head or face
- Apply fragrance
- Shave, shorten or remove any hair from the body or the head
- Cut the nails
The above apply to women also but she will wear the clothing she generally wears and she will cover her head but with no cloth directly touching her face.
What to recite in ihram
It is mustahab to read the talbiyah in abundance particularly after salah, when changing state, when morning or evening enters, when ascending a high place, when descending a valley or when meeting others.
What to do when entering Makkah
- First go to al-Masjid al-Haram in the state of ablution.
- Recite Allahu akbar and Li ilaaha illallah upon seeing the ka`bah.
- Perform tawaf of the Ka`bah [known as tawaf al-qudum].
How to perform Tawaf
- Ensure you are in the state of ablution.
- Begin the tawaf from the al-Hajar al-Aswad (the black stone).
- Stand in line with the stone and face it.
- Raise your hands in line with your ears with your palms facing the stone and proclaim bismillaahi Allahu akbar.
- Drop both the hands and raise them again Indicating as if you are placing your palms on the stone (i.e. istilam) and repeat the words bismillaahi Allahu akbar and then kiss your palms.
- Move to the right of the stone to the section where the door of the Ka`bah is
- Keep the Ka`bah to your left and pass outside of the hatim.
- Recite the supplication rabbanaa aatinaa fid dunyaa hasanah wa fil aakhirati hasanah wa qinaa azaaban naar between the Yemeni corner and the black stone
- Once you reach the al-Hajar al-Aswad a second time, once again indicate as if you are placing your palms on the stone (i.e. istilam) and then kiss your palms
- This is a complete single circuit.
- Complete seven circuits in this manner.
- Note that the tawaf begins and ends with the istilam of the al-hajar al-aswad (the back stone).
- In the first three circuits, shake your shoulders while walking and hasten in your walk (i.e. ramal).
- In all seven circuits, take your upper sheet [of ihram] from your right shoulder and throw both ends on your left shoulder exposing your right shoulder (i.e. idhtiba)
- The acts of ramal and idhtiba are sunnah only for the one performing `umrah [after which there is sa`i between as-safa and al-marwa].
- After the tawaf, observe two rak`ah [wajib] wherever in the Masjid but preferably at maqam Ibrahim [in such a way that it is between you and the Ka`bah]. It is sunnah to recite surah al-kafirun in the first rak`ah and surah al-ikhlas in the second.
How to perform Sa`i between as-safa and al-marwa
- Once again make istilam of the black stone.
- Proceed to Safa (located in the direction of the black stone) and climb it only enough so that the Ka`bah is visible.
- Ascend the mount, face the Ka`bah, make dua to Allah and recite “innas safaa wal marwata min sha aa irillah”, the takbir, “laa ilaaha illallaah” and salutations upon our prophet [PBUH].
- Head for the mountain in the opposite direction (called Marwa) at a normal pace. Hasten between the two green markings each time whilst reciting.
- When you reach Marwah, climb it and do the same as per Safa.
- This is one circuit. Complete seven circuits in this manner. Hence you will begin your sa`i at Safa and end it at Marwa.
- Now you may have your hair cut or [preferably] shaved.
- You have completed your `umrah.
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Posted in Uncategorised on 12th Aug 2016 by Our Imam | 1612 Views
