What is Umrah?

Definition and Laws of Umrah

Umrah, in linguistic terms, means a pilgrimage. According to Islamic law, it means visiting the Baitullah (the Kaaba) in a state of ihram to perform tawaf and sa'i, followed by shaving or cutting the hair, all to seek the pleasure of Allah SWT.

The ruling on Umrah is that it is obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are financially and physically able. The sequence: ihram from the miqat, then tawaf, then sa'i, then shaving/cutting the hair. Umrah is of two kinds:

Obligatory (Wajib) Umrah

• The first-time performance of Umrah.
• Umrah performed to fulfill a vow or oath.

Recommended (Sunnah) Umrah

Any Umrah after the obligatory one that is not due to a vow or oath.

Timing of Performing Umrah

Umrah can be performed at any time, except for Hajj pilgrims during the standing at Arafah, the Day of Sacrifice (10th of Dhu al-Hijjah) and the Days of Tashriq.

Conditions, Pillars, and Obligations

Conditions of Umrah

• Being a Muslim.
• Reaching the age of maturity (baligh).
• Having sound intellect (aqil).
• Being free (not a slave).
• Financial and physical capability (istitha'ah).

Pillars of Umrah

• Ihram (intention).
• Tawaf (circumambulation).
• Sa'i (between Safa and Marwah).
• Shaving or cutting the hair.
• Sequence (performing acts in the prescribed order).

Miqat Locations for Umrah

For pilgrims from outside Makkah, the miqat is the same as the Hajj miqat. Residents of the Haram enter ihram where they reside. Those already in Makkah (residents or visitors) go out to the Hil (e.g., Tan'im, Hudaibiyah, Ji'ranah) and enter ihram there.

Spiritual and Material Preparations

Spiritual Preparations

Prepare by trimming nails, removing underarm/pubic hair if needed, grooming beard and mustache, performing ghusl (or at least ablution), applying a pleasant scent, and wearing the ihram garments. If it is not a disliked time, pray two units of the sunnah prayer of ihram, then make intention:

Alternatively:

Then recite the Talbiyah three times:

Sending blessings upon the Prophet

Material Preparations

2 - Some Terms Related to Umrah

• Al-Bayt al-Ma‘mur: The heavenly House frequented by angels.
• Masjid al-Haram: The Sacred Mosque in Makkah where the Kaaba stands.
• Hajj: Visiting a specific place at a specific time with specific rites.
• Hajj al-Ifrad: Hajj without Umrah.
• Hajj al-Tamattu‘: Umrah and Hajj separately with different ihrams in the same Hajj season.
• Hajj al-Qiran: Umrah and Hajj together in one ihram.
• Hajj Months: Shawwal, Dhu al-Qi‘dah, and first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah.
• Manāsik al-Hajj: Obligatory, recommended, and optional rites of Hajj.
• Hajj al-Mabrur: An accepted Hajj marked by good conduct and avoiding sins.
• Umrah: Tawaf around the Kaaba and sa‘i between Safa and Marwah while in ihram.
• Ihram: Entered by intention and reciting “Labbaik”; initiates ihram restrictions.
• Izar / Rida: Two unstitched cloths (men’s lower/upper garments).
• Talbiyah: The “Labbaik” proclamation; La ḥawla wa la quwwata illa billah is also recited often.
• Hatim / Hijr: Semicircular wall and enclosed area considered part of the Kaaba (tawaf outside it).
• Hajar al-Aswad: The Black Stone set in the Kaaba’s corner.
• Multazam: Space between the Black Stone and the Kaaba door—place of accepted supplication.
• Maqam Ibrahim: Stone bearing Prophet Ibrahim’s footprints.
• Mizab al-Rahmah: The golden spout (gutter) of the Kaaba.
• Zamzam: Blessed well in Makkah brought forth by Angel Jibril.
• Shawt: One circuit around the Kaaba.
• Tawaf: Seven circuits; each circuit is a “shawt.”
• Tawaf al-Qudum: Arrival tawaf (Sunnah for non-Makkans).
• Tawaf al-Ifadah (Ziyarat): Obligatory tawaf after Arafat.
• Tawaf al-Sadr (Farewell): Wajib before leaving Makkah (non-Makkans).
• Izdiba‘: Draping the rida to expose the right shoulder (men) in certain tawafs.
• Istilam: Greeting the Black Stone by kissing/touching or pointing.
• Ramal: Brisk walking in the first three rounds (men).
• Safa & Marwah: Hills where sa‘i is performed.
• Sa‘i: Seven rounds between Safa and Marwah, starting at Safa.
• Hervele: Brisk walk/jog between the two green markers (men).
• Wuquf (Arafat): Presence in Arafat from after noon on Arafah to dawn of Eid.
• Arafat / Muzdalifah / Mina: Major Hajj sites; spending the night in Muzdalifah; stoning in Mina.
• Jamarat / Ramy: Stone pillars and the rite of stoning.
• Hady / Udhiyyah: Hajj sacrifice / Eid sacrifice.
• Violations (Jinayah): Acts that incur penalties.
• Dam / Badanah: Penalty sacrifice—small stock (dam); camel/cow (badanah).
• Haram / Hil: Sacred precinct of Makkah and the area outside it.
• Miqat: Designated entry points for ihram.
• Makki / Afaq: Residents within miqat / those from outside.
• Ayyam al-Tashriq: 11–13 Dhu al-Hijjah, days of the Takbir.

“Perform Hajj and Umrah for the sake of Allah.” (Qur’an, Al-Baqarah 2:196)

“Umrah to Umrah is expiation for what is between them, and the reward for an accepted Hajj is nothing but Paradise.” (Bukhari, Vol. 2, p. 198)

“The struggle of the elderly, the child, and the weak is Hajj and Umrah.” (Nasā’ī, Vol. 2, p. 3)

It is narrated from Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said—when she intended to perform Umrah—“Your reward will be according to your effort and what you spend.” (Al-Targhib wa’l-Tarhib, Vol. 2)

“‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) sought permission from the Prophet (peace be upon him) to perform Umrah. He permitted him and said: ‘My brother, include us in your supplications and do not forget us.’” (Sunan Ibn Mājah)

“An Umrah performed in Ramadan is equivalent to a Hajj with me.” (Agreed upon)

Definition and Wisdom of Ihram

Ihram is to enter the sacred state for Hajj, Umrah, or Qiran by intention and reciting the Talbiyah. Men wear two unstitched cloths (rida & izar); women’s clothing remains as normal. Its wisdom: to shed worldly luxury, reflect on resurrection and the Day of Judgment, purify the heart, and draw near to Allah. Hajj and Umrah cannot be performed without ihram. (Source: ‘Inaya, Vol. 2, p. 429)

How to Enter Ihram?

How to Exit Ihram?

Men shave the head completely or trim at least ~1.5–2 cm (shaving is superior). Women do not shave; they cut 1–2 cm from the tips of the hair.

Where to Enter Ihram?

Enter at designated miqat points out of reverence for the Kaaba. Categories: Afaq (coming from outside the miqat), Hil residents (between miqat and Haram), and Haram residents (Makkah & surroundings).

Rules and Rulings of Ihram

Requirements for a Valid Ihram

• Forming the intention.
• Reciting the Talbiyah (or a dhikr that substitutes for it). The Prophet said: “No Muslim recites the Talbiyah except that stones, trees, and earth to his right and left recite it with him…” (Tirmidhi, Hajj, 14/828).

Permissible Acts in Ihram

• Donating blood; injections; tooth extraction.
• Scratching without pulling hair out.
• Bathing with unscented soap.
• Taking shade and carrying an umbrella (not touching the head).
• Wearing a belt, ring, watch; applying unscented kohl.
• Wearing open sandals.
• Placing a coat over the shoulders without using sleeves.
• Covering the body (except head/face for men) with a sheet/blanket.

Obligatory & Recommended Acts

Obligatory (Wajib)

• Entering ihram before crossing the miqat boundary.
• Abstaining from the prohibitions of ihram.

Recommended (Sunnah)

• Cleaning underarms/pubic hair; cutting nails.
• Entering ihram after ghusl/ablution.
• Men to wrap izar and rida before intention.
• Praying two units (if not a disliked time).
• Frequently repeating the Talbiyah (thrice at a time).
• After the Talbiyah: recite the Takbir of Tashriq, send blessings, and supplicate.

Prohibitions of Ihram

A. Related to One’s Own Body

• Applying fragrance or scented soap.
• Shaving/trimming beard and mustache.
• Henna, lipstick, nail polish (adornment).
• Cutting nails.
• Plucking/shaving hair from the body.

B. Clothing (for Men)

• Covering the head.
• Wearing stitched clothing (pants, shirts, coats).
• Socks, gloves, or shoes that cover the ankles.

C. Sexual

• Intercourse, kissing, intimate touching.
• Speech/behaviors leading to intercourse.

D. Harmful Behavior

• Fighting, arguing, using offensive language, causing hurt.

E. Related to the Haram Area (Makkah)

• Uprooting/pruning/crushing naturally growing green plants and trees.
• Killing harmless animals.

F. Hunting Land Animals

• Hunting any land animal; assisting a hunter; harming hunted animals.

Ihram for Women

• May wear stitched clothing, gloves, socks, and footwear; may cover the head, but face remains uncovered.
• Do not raise their voices for the Talbiyah.
• No ramal in tawaf or hervele during sa‘i.
• Do not shave the head; only trim the hair.
• In crowds, perform istilam without kissing the Black Stone; avoid congestion near Maqam Ibrahim. If menstruating/post-partum, no sacrifice is due for missing the Farewell Tawaf.

Definition and Types of Tawaf

Tawaf is circumambulating the Kaaba seven times, starting from the Black Stone corner, with the Kaaba on one’s left. Each round is a shawt. The method is the same; the intention defines the type.

Types of Tawaf

• Tawaf al-Qudum (Arrival): Recommended for Hajj-Ifrad or Hajj-Qiran pilgrims upon arrival.
• Tawaf al-Ziyarat (Ifadah): The obligatory tawaf of Hajj.
• Tawaf al-Wada‘ (Farewell): Wajib before leaving Makkah (non-residents).
• Umrah Tawaf: Required as part of Umrah.
• Vowed (Nadhr) Tawaf: Becomes obligatory upon making a vow.
• Tahiyyat al-Masjid Tawaf: Recommended when entering Masjid al-Haram.
• Nafl Tawaf: Voluntary tawaf at any time.

Rules and Performance of Tawaf

Obligations (Wajibat) of Tawaf

• Ritual purity (as applicable).
• Covering the private parts.
• Performing it physically if able (unless excused).
• Starting from the line of the Black Stone.
• Keeping the Kaaba to the left and proceeding towards the Iraqi corner.
• Outside the Hatim.
• Completing seven shawts.
• Praying two rak‘ahs afterwards.
• Performing Ziyarat Tawaf on the days of Eid al-Adha.

Sunnahs of Tawaf

• Being in a state of purity.
• Beginning at Hajar al-Aswad from the Yemeni corner side.
• Istilam of the Black Stone at the beginning and after each circuit.
• For men, iztiba and ramal in tawafs concluding with sa‘i (e.g., Umrah).
• Completing circuits without interruption.
• Engaging in dhikr, takbir, tahleel, and supplication.
• Performing Ziyarat Tawaf on the first day of Eid al-Adha.
• Raising hands saying “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” when facing the Black Stone.

How to Perform Tawaf

Rules and Performance of Sa'y

The Obligatory Aspects of Sa’y

• Perform Sa’i by walking (those ill, elderly, or disabled may use a vehicle).
• Complete seven rounds.

The Sunnahs of Sa’y

• Begin Sa’i immediately after tawaf.
• Purity from impurities (najāsah) and from major impurity (junub).
• Istilam of the Black Stone before starting Sa’i.
• Ascend Safa and Marwah each round to where the Kaaba is visible.
• On Safa and Marwah, face the Kaaba and make takbir, tahleel, and supplication.
• For men, perform hervele between the two green markers; walk normally elsewhere.
• Complete all rounds without interruption; remain engaged in remembrance.

How to Perform Sa'y