Umrah Mandatory steps:
Note:”Before perfoming umrah it is recommended to get detailed information from your local mosques and alam e deen or muftian hazrat for proper guidence, this note is just for information purposes”.
Performing the Umrah, or the minor pilgrimage to Makkah, involves several mandatory steps but 4 steps must be completed in a specific order. These steps are:
1. Ihram:
Before entering the city of Makkah at the point of Meeqat, a Muslim must enter into the state of Ihram, which is a state of spiritual purity. This involves wearing the prescribed garments, which are two white sheets for men and normal modest clothing for women. Men are also required to shave their head or shorten their hair, and both men and women are required to refrain from certain activities such as cutting their nails or engaging in sexual activity.
Meeqat
Meeqat, also known as the Miqat, is a specific location where Muslims entering the state of ihram (a state of spiritual purity) for the purpose of performing the Umrah or the Hajj. It is a physical boundary that marks the point beyond which a person must be in a state of ihram. There are several meeqat points designated by the Saudi Arabian government, and it is important to pass through the correct one depending on your direction of travel. Meeqat for Umrah includes;
Zul-Hulafa: This is the meeqat point for those coming from the direction of Taif. It is located about 75km east of Mecca.
Yalamlam: This is the meeqat point for those coming from the direction of Najran. It is located about 200km south of Mecca.
Dhatu-Irq: This is the meeqat point for those coming from
the direction of Jeddah. It is located about 85km northwest of Mecca.
Al-Juhfah: This is the meeqat point for those coming from
the direction of the Red Sea coast. It is located about 150km northwest of
Mecca.
Qarnu-l-Manazil: This is the meeqat point for those coming
from the direction of Iraq and Syria. It is located about 200km northeast of
Mecca.
It is important to note that once you pass through the meeqat, you must be in a state of ihram, which means that you must be dressed in the appropriate clothing, refrain from certain activities such as cutting your hair or nails, and refrain from engaging in sexual activity. Failure to enter the state of ihram at the correct meeqat point can result in penalties or fines. It is also important to note that, while Meeqat is mandatory for Hajj, it is not mandatory for Umrah but it is still recommended to do so. It’s good to be in state of Ihram before reaching Meeqat.
2. Tawaf:
This is the first mandatory step once you enter Mecca. Tawaf refers to the circumambulation of the Kaaba, which is the holiest site in Islam. This involves walking around the Kaaba seven times, counter-clockwise.
3. Sa’i Safa and Marwa:
After completing Tawaf, the next step is Sa’i, which is the act of walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. This is done to commemorate Hagar’s search for water for her son Ismael.
4. Haircut or shaving:
After performing Sa’i, men are required to shave their head or shorten their hair as a symbol of humility and submission to God.
Farewell Tawaf: After completing all the previous steps, the final step is to perform the farewell Tawaf, which is the final circumambulation of the Kaaba before leaving Mecca.
It is important to note that the order of these steps is important, and that each step should be performed with humility and devotion. Additionally, it is recommended that the pilgrim recite certain prayers and supplications during each step of the Umrah.
Some Ibadaats from many to Perform during stay for Umrah:
There are several main ibadaats, or acts of worship, that can be performed in the city of Mecca during the Umrah or Hajj. These include:
Tawaf: This is the act of circumambulating the Kaaba, which is the holiest site in Islam. Tawaf is one of the most important ibadaats of the Umrah and Hajj, and it involves walking around the Kaaba seven times counter-clockwise.
Salah: Muslims are required to perform the five daily prayers while in Mecca, and it is recommended to perform them in the Grand Mosque (Masjid Al Haram)
Zikr: Muslims are encouraged to recite the Quran and make dhikr (remembrance of God) throughout the day, as this is an important way to connect with God and maintain spiritual focus during the pilgrimage.
Tawaf Al-Ifada: This is the final Tawaf performed by the pilgrims before leaving Mecca.
Wadi-Muhassir and Mina: These are two places where the pilgrims are required to perform certain rituals during the Hajj. Wadi-Muhassir is the site of the first standing and second standing on the day of Eid Al-Adha and Mina is the place of stoning the jamarat.
Standing at Arafat: The standing at the plain of Arafat is one of the most important rituals of Hajj. It’s a day of repentance, forgiveness and seeking blessings from God. Day of Judgement (Qayamat is supposed to be there).
These ibadaats are mandatory for Hajj but not for Umrah and it is recommended to perform as many of them as possible with humility and devotion, in order to gain maximum spiritual benefit from the pilgrimage.
The Kaaba: The Kaaba is the holiest site in Islam and the focal point of Tawaf. It is a cube-shaped structure located in the center of the Grand Mosque (Masjid Al-Haram) and is covered in a black silk and gold curtain.
The Black Stone (Hajar Al-Aswad): The Black Stone is a meteorite that is embedded in the eastern corner of the Kaaba and is said to have been given to Abraham by the angel Gabriel.
The Station of Ibrahim (Maqam Ibrahim): This is the spot where Ibrahim (Abraham) stood while building the Kaaba, and it is located a few meters away from the Kaaba. It is marked by a glass structure that contains a footprint of the Prophet Ibrahim.
The Well of Zamzam: This is the well that is said to have been revealed to Hagar when she was searching for water for her son Ismael. It is located a few meters away from the Kaaba and is considered to be a source of blessings and healing.
The Cave of Hira: This is the cave where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received his first revelation from God. It is located on the mountain of Jabal Al-Noor, about 3km from Mecca.
The Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Al-Nabawi): This is the mosque in Medina where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is buried. It is a highly recommended to visit for those who can make the journey.
The Jannatul Mualla: This is the cemetery where the Prophet’s mother, father and wife Khadija (RA) are buried.
These ziyaraat are not mandatory for the Umrah or Hajj but are considered highly recommended and are believed to bring great spiritual benefits to those who visit them. It is important to note that the Grand Mosque (Masjid Al-Haram) is open for visitation throughout the year, while other places have certain opening and closing time.
The Grand Mosque, also known as Al-Haram, in Mecca is one of the largest mosques in the world, covering an area of approximately 356,800 square meters (3,841,000 square feet). The mosque is surrounded by a number of structures, including several minarets (tall towers used for the call to prayer), the King Fahd Gate, and the Makkah Royal Clock Tower.
The focal point of the mosque is the Kaaba, which is a large cube-shaped structure located in the center of the mosque. The Kaaba is covered in a black silk and gold curtain and is the direction towards which Muslims around the world face during their daily prayers.
The mosque is surrounded by a large courtyard which is used for Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) and includes several other important sites like the Black Stone (Hajar Al-Aswad), the Station of Ibrahim (Maqam Ibrahim) and the Well of Zamzam.
The mosque is also equipped with several facilities for the pilgrims, such as ablution areas, restrooms, and food courts, as well as several entrances and exits to accommodate the large number of visitors.
The mosque is open throughout the year and the area of Al-Haram can be accessed through several gates, like King Abdul Aziz gate, King Fahd gate and so on.
It’s difficult to provide a detailed map as the area is under constant expansion and development, but a general layout of the mosque can be found on the official website of the Grand Mosque or on the guide map distributed at the entry point of the mosque.
These are just examples of things you can do while at holy journey of Umrah or Hajj, best is consult with your local Muftian Hazrat or Alim e deen to get full guidance to perform umrah.
May Allah accept good deeds and Umrah Ibadaats of all muslims.