Umrah

Detailed rules about performing ‘Umrah

are mentioned in this book. Also

mentioned are the various supplications

that have to be recited at various

occasions.

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)

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”

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)

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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

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:

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.

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.

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.

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

Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Aameen Bi

Jahi Sayyidil Mursaleen

*******