For one who intends to perform Umrah, preparing spiritually before the journey helps to feel the essence of the worship more deeply. Here are the steps for spiritual preparation:
If it is not a discouraged time for prayer, it is recommended to perform a two-rak'ah sunnah prayer of ihram and then make the intention for Umrah. The intention can be made as follows:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً
"Labbaikallahumma ‘umratan."
"I respond to Your call, O Allah, for Umrah."
Or
نَوَيْتُ الْعُمْرَةَ وَأَحْرَمْتُ بِهَا لِللَّهِ تَعَالَى
“Nawaitul ‘umrata wa ahramtu biha lillahi ta’a’alaa.”
"I intend to perform Umrah and enter into ihram for it, solely for the sake of Allah the Most High."
After reciting the intention, the pilgrim should recite the Talbiyah three times:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ
"Labbaik. Allahumma labbaik. Labbaika laa sharika laka labbaik. Innal hamda wan ni'mata laka wal mulk. Laa sharika lak."
"Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily, all praise and blessings belong to You, and the dominion. You have no partner."
Ihram Prohibitions: With this, the state of ihram begins. The pilgrim must refrain from using foul language, arguing, hunting, wearing stitched clothing, covering the head (for men), or covering the face (for women). They should avoid perfumes, cutting nails, or shaving hair until they exit the state of ihram.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ
“Allahumma solli wa sallim ‘alaa sayyidina Muhammadin wa ‘alaa aali sayyidina Muhammad.”
"O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad."
Dua 1: “Allahumma inna nas’aluka ridhaaka wal jannata wa na’udzu bika min sakhatika wan naar. Rabbanaa aatinaa fid dunyaa hasanatan wa fil akhirati hasanatan wa qinaa azaaban naar.”
Dua 2: “Allahumma haadzaa haraamuka wa amnuka, faharrim lahmii wa damii wa sya’rii wa basyarii ‘alan naari wa aaminni min ‘azabika yauma tub’atsu ‘ibaaduka waj’alni min awliyaa’ika wa ahli thaa’atika.”
Dua 3: “Allahumma antas salaamu wa minkas salaamu wa ilaika ya’uudus salaamu, fahayyinaa rabbanaa bissalaami wa adkhilnal jannata daaras salaami tabaarakta rabbanaa wa ta’aalaita yaa dzal j’alaali wal ikraam.”
Dua 4: “Allahummaftah lii abwaaba rahmatika, bismillahi walhamdulillahi was shalaatu was salaamu ‘alaa Rasuulillah.”
Dua 5: “Rabbighfir warham wa’fu wa takarram watajaawaz ‘ammaa ta’lamu innaka ta’lamu maa laa na’lamu innaka antallahu a’azzul akram.”
Keeping in mind the Hadith, "Hajj and Umrah are rigorous acts of worship," here is a checklist of practical preparations:
