Method of Performing Umrah
Submitted by Mohammed Gilani on
Upon reaching the Musjid-ul-Haraam, one should enter and recite the masnoon dua for entering the musjid, and thereafter proceed to perform the umrah.
One will not perform two rakaats of Tahiyyatul Musjid, as one does when entering other masaajid. The reason is that the Tahiyyatul Musjid for the one in the state of ihraam is to perform tawaaf. However, if it is the time of salaah and one cannot perform tawaaf, then one should perform the two rakaats of Tahiyyatul Musjid.
When one sees the Ka’bah Shareef for the first time, one should raise his hands and engage in dua. One will make dua in a place that is conducive to make dua, and will not cause inconvenience to people or obstruct people’s movement (e.g. the pathway).
When reaching the Ka’bah Shareef, one will stand in line with the Hajr-e-Aswad and make the intention to perform tawaaf of umrah. Thereafter, while facing the Hajar-e-Aswad with one’s entire body, one will raise his hands and recite the takbeer with making istilaam.
Istilaam means for one to stand before the Hajr-e-Aswad, place his hands on it, kiss it and recite, “Bimillahi Allahu Akbar”.
However, due to itr being applied to the Hajr-e-Aswad, it is not permissible for one in the state of ihraam to place his hands on it and kiss it.
Hence, as a substitute, one will stand in line with the Hajr-e-Aswad, and while facing it, he will raise his hands before his face, as though he is placing them on the Hajr-e-Aswad, and thereafter kiss his hands. If due to crowds, one cannot reach the Hajr-e-Aswad and make istilaam from close, then one will make istilaam in this manner from a distance.
After making the first istilaam, he will commence the tawaaf. Each round of tawaaf ends at the Hajr-e-Aswad. Thus, after completing each round, when he reaches the Hajr-e-Aswad, he will make istilaam. When he completes his tawaaf after the seventh round, he will make istilaam for the eighth time. His tawaaf is now complete.
Idhtibaa and Raml
A male will make idhtibaa and raml during the tawaaf of umrah.
Idhtibaa is for one to tuck the ihraam sheet beneath his right arm and drape it over his left shoulder. In this manner, his right shoulder and right arm will be exposed. Idhtibaa is done during the entire tawaaf.
Raml is to walk briskly and boldly during the first three rounds of the tawaaf. This will be done by taking short steps and moving the shoulders.
Note: Idhtibaa will only be done by males. Females will not do Idhtibaa.
Two Rakaats Waajibut Tawaaf
After completing the tawaaf of umrah, it is waajib for one to perform two rakaats of salaah. This salaah is called “Waajibut Tawaaf” Salaah.
It is best to perform the two rakaats Waajibut Tawaaf behind the Maqaam-e-Ebrahim. However, if one performs it anywhere in Musjid-ul-Haraam or out of Musjid-ul-Haraam but within the precints of the Haram, it will be permissible. Performing these two rakaats out of the precincts of the Haram is makrooh.
These two rakaats cannot be performed in the makrooh times e.g. after Fajr until the time of sunrise, and after Asr until sunset. If one had completed tawaaf at these times then he should delay performing the two rakaats until after sunrise and after sunset.
While performing the two rakaats, it is mustahab that he recite Surah Kaafiroon in the first rakaat and Surah Ikhlaas in the second rakaat.
After performing the two rakaats Waajibut Tawaaf, one should proceed to perform sa’ee.
Sa'ee
Before the sa’ee, it is preferable for one to drink Zamzam. It is reported that on the occasion of hajj, after Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) performed the tawaaf of umrah, he drank Zamzam and thereafter proceeded for sa’ee.
Before commencing the sa’ee, it is sunnah to make istilaam of the Hajr-e-Aswad. This istilaam is the ninth istilaam.
One will commence the sa’ee from Safaa and walk towards Marwah. From Safaa to Marwah is counted as one round of sa’ee. Similarly, from Marwah to Safaa is counted as another round of sa’ee. Accordingly, the seventh round of sa’ee terminates at Marwah.
On reaching the green lights, men should begin to jog. Women will walk in the normal manner. Once one passes the green lights, one should stop jogging and recommence walking.
When the sa’ee is complete, one will perform two rakaats of nafl salaah.
Halq
After completing the sa’ee, men will shave their heads or trim their hair. Shaving the hair is better and more rewarding. It is impermissible for women to shave their hair. They should therefore trim the hair. All the hair should be gathered around the fingertip and the amount of one fingertip should be cut.
A person who has completed all the actions of umrah besides cutting the hair may cut his own hair or ask someone out of the state of ihraam to cut his hair. Similarly, the husband and wife who have both completed all the actions of umrah may cut each other’s hair. After one’s hair has been cut, one has become halaal (i.e. one has come out of ihraam).
One will remain in Makkah Mukarramah until the days of hajj approach. When the days of hajj approach, one will put on the ihraam of hajj and carry out the rituals of hajj.