A Description of the Rites of ‘Umrah
Praise be to Allah; there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah.
In the ancient past, Allah chose a spot on earth in the area known as Makkah, and made it the place for the first house of worship to be built for people; He commanded its construction and called it the Kaaba.
Since then, believers have been going to the Kaaba to perform the rituals of Hajj and ‘Umrah. In more recent times, the Messenger Muhammad, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, demonstrated and explained how the rites of Hajj and ‘Umrah are to be properly performed
A Muslim should perform ‘Umrah
once in his life;
if he does more than one ‘Umrah, he will have an increase in reward; that is why the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, performed more than one ‘Umrah in his life.
He, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “Performing ‘Umrah after Umrah is expiation for what is between them, and an accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim
🌴 He, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “Continue performing Hajj and Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sins, just as the bellows remove impurity from iron”. Narrated by Al-Nasa’i and others; Al-Albani graded it authentic
🕰️ ‘Umrah may be performed on any day of the year, at any time during the night or day.
‘Umrah in Ramadan has a special virtue; the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said. “When Ramadan comes, perform ‘Umrah, for [the rewards of performing] ‘Umrah in it is equivalent to [the rewards of performing] Hajj”. Narrated by Muslim
🌴 The money spent for the ‘Umrah journey must come from halal sources. A person should be mindful to remain in good companionship and be on his best behavior. Allah says in the Quran:
{الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَّعْلُومَاتٌ فَمَن فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ الْحَجَّ فَلاَ رَفَثَ وَلاَ فُسُوقَ وَلاَ جِدَالَ فِي الْحَجِّ وَمَا تَفْعَلُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ يَعْلَمْهُ اللّهُ وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَى وَاتَّقُونِ يَا أُوْلِي الأَلْبَابِ} (197) سورة البقرة
“Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do – Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding.” (2:197 translated)
The Meeqaats: Starting Points for ‘Umrah
The picture shows the Miqat of Qarn Al-Manazil, known today as As-Sayl Al-Kabeer, which is the Miqat for the people of Najd.
💡 ‘Umrah begins at the Meeqaats, which are well-known places surrounding Makkah; it is required of the one who wants to perform ‘Umrah or Hajj to not go beyond those places without making the intention for ‘Umrah by entering the state of sacred ritual purity known as ihram.
🌴 People coming from any direction should take care to begin the rites of ‘Umrah before passing the Meeqaat. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said: “Allah’s Messenger ﷺ made Dhul-Huiafa as the Meeqat for the people of Medina; Al-Juhfa for the people of Sham; Qarn-al-Manazil for the people of Najd; and Yalamlam for the people of Yemen; and these Meeqats are for the people at those very places, and besides them for those who come thorough those places with the intention of performing Hajj and `Umrah; and whoever is living within these boundaries can assume lhram from the place he starts, and the people of Mecca can assume Ihram from Mecca”. Narrated by Al-Bukhari
🔸 The following is a description of the various Meeqats:
1️⃣Dhul-Hulaifa
This area is known today as Abar Ali, just outside of the city of Madinah. It is the furthest Meeqat from Makkah.
2️⃣Al-Juhfah
This is the Meeqat traditionally passed by people coming to Makkah from the Levantine, Egypt, and the western part of the Arab world. The village where the Meeqat was was known as Mahiya, and it was adjacent to the modern city of Rabigh. The city of Rabigh is now the observed Meeqat for the area.
3️⃣Qarn Al-Manazil
This is the Meeqat for the Najd area of the Arabian Peninsula where the city of Riyadh is located. It is also known as As-Sayl Al-Kabeer
4️⃣Yalamlam
This is the Meeqat for those travelling to Makkah for pilgrimage from the direction of Yemen. This Meeqat is now observed in the town of As-Saadiah.
5️⃣Thaat-Araq
This is the Meeqat for the people of Iraq and those coming from the eastern direction. The area where it is located is now known as Al-Khareebaat.
Whoever resides between these meeqat locations and Makkah may enter the ihram state from their places of residence.
Whoever has begun the ‘umrah rites from inside of Makkah (according to the majority of scholars) or has been prevented from completing them due to circumstances such as a woman having her monthly cycle, then that person should leave the boundaries of Makkah and return in a new state of ihram. The closest boundary area is a place called Tan’eem, where the wife of the Prophet, Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, went before completing her Hajj rites after her monthly cycle. The next-closest boundary area is on the west side of Hudaybiyah, about ten miles from Makkah. There is another boundary on the south side of Arafah, in a place called Nimrah, which is about thirteen miles from the Grand Mosque.
Here is a map of the boundaries of the sanctuary area of Makkah.
There are signs that show you the boundary limits, such as these:
The Miqat is the starting point for Umrah and Hajj, so every country of world has miqat around Mecca, as in the following map:
Entering the State of Ihram
🌴 When a Muslim male intending to perform ‘Umrah arrives at the Meeqaat, he should wear the Izar, which is a white garment wrapped around the lower half of his body which covers his private parts and legs.
🌴 The Messenger, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “And let one of you wear the izar when entering the state of ihram, an upper-body covering and two sandals) Narrated by Ahmed and authenticated by Al-Albani.
🌴 After the pilgrim puts on the ihram garments, he says: “Labbaik ‘Umrah”, which means, I am answering your call, Allah, to perform ‘Umrah. The Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, made the following supplication before his Hajj pilgrimage: “Oh Allah, [allow me to perform] a Hajj with which there is neither hypocrisy nor seeking prestige”. Narrated by Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani. This supplication, which may also be made before ‘Umrah, reminds the Muslim from the outset of performing his religious obligation to be faithful to Allah and to abstain from all kinds of apparent and hidden polytheism.
Once a Muslim says “Labbaik ‘Umrah”, then he has begun the rites of ‘Umrah. As a part of these rites, some of the things that were permissible become forbidden until he completes those rites.
These prohibitions are called Prohibitions of Ihram, and they are as follows:
Prohibitions of Ihram⚠️
1- He should not hunt anything from the land, such as birds, rabbits, and the like.
Allah says in the Quran,
{أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ وَطَعَامُهُ مَتَاعًا لَكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ وَحُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَرِّ مَا دُمْتُمْ حُرُمًا } [المائدة: 96]
“Lawful to you is game from the sea and its food as provision for you and the travelers, but forbidden to you is game from the land as long as you are in the state of ihram.” (5:96 translated)
Once he enters the boundaries of the forbidden area in Makkah in the state of Ihram, it is not permissible for him to even frighten animals or cut down any naturally growing vegetation from the land; The Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “This country (i.e. Makkah) has been sanctified by Allah – Its thorny bushes should not be cut, its game should not be chased, and it’s found items should not be picked up except by one who would announce it publicly“. Narrated by Al-Bukhari
2- A Muslim should not remove or cut any hair from his or her head or body while in the state of ihram until the end of the ‘Umrah, unless there is a medical excuse, such as if he complains of lice or a disease on his head. In this case, it is permissible for him to shave his head hair, but he should offer a penance. Allah says in the Quran:
(وَلَا تَحْلِقُوا رُءُوسَكُمْ حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ الْهَدْيُ مَحِلَّهُ فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا أَوْ بِهِ أَذًى مِنْ رَأْسِهِ فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ ) [البقرة: 196]
“And, do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And, whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days], charity or sacrifice”. (2:196 translated) The Prophet, peace be upon him, instructed a man complaining of a lice infestation in his hair: “Shave your head and fast for three days, or feed six poor people, or sacrifice a sheep”. Narrated by Al-Bukhari
3- He should not cut his nails until he has completed his ‘Umrah.
4- He should not use perfume or fragrances on his body or clothes until he finishes his ‘Umrah.
5- He should refrain from sexual relations until he finishes his ‘Umrah.
6- He may not propose marriage until he has completed his ‘Umrah.
7- He should not cover his head with any type of garment.🚫
🚫 He should not wear a shirt.
🚫 He should not wear pants unless he cannot obtain an izaar.
The Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said, “Whoever cannot find an izaar may wear pants”. Narrated by Al-Bukhari
🚫 He should not wear any type of over or outer garment, such as a jacket, coat, robe or cape.
🚫 He should not wear shoes that cover his feet unless he cannot obtain open sandals or slippers; the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said, “Whoever cannot not find sandals may wear shoes”. Narrated by Al-Bukhari
💡 A woman performing ‘Umrah may wear whatever modest clothing she wishes, in any color, but she must not wear a niqab or gloves.
The Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said, “A woman in ihram must not wear a niqab or gloves.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari.
The Talbiyah
Once a person has begun the ‘Umrah, he should chant the talbiyah out loud:
Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik, Labbaik La Sharikah Laka Labbaik
In-Alhamd, Wa-Naimah Laka Wal-Mulk… La Sharikah Lak
It means, “O our Lord, we respond to your call for us to perform Hajj and ‘Umrah to your Sacred House – You have no partner – All of the praise and glory is for You”.
📝 The Muslim male should chant the talbiyah with a raised voice whenever he has an opportunity during his travels aftr the Meeqat until he reaches the Kaaba; the Muslim female may say it in a quiet voice.
🕋 When he reaches the Kaaba, if he is able to kiss the Black Stone in the corner of the Kaaba, then that is from the example of the Prophet. If he cannot reach it, he should salute it from a distance.
Tawaf: Circumambulating the Kaaba
Before going around the Kaaba, he should uncover his right shoulder, keep the Kaaba on his left, and circumambulate around the House of Allah seven times, each circuit starting from the Black Stone and ending at it.
During the circumambulation, the Muslim will pass by the Yemeni Corner, which is one of the corners of the Kaaba; it is located just before the corner of the Black Stone. He should not kiss it or say Allahu Akbar in front of it, but only wipe his hand over it if it is possible for him to do so.
At the beginning of the first time walking around the Kaaba, the muhrim (person in a state of ihram) says, Bismillah, Allahu Akbar (In the name of Allah, Allah is Greater); At the beginning of each of the other rounds, he says Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greater).
At the end of each round, especially between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, it is prophetic tradition to call upon Allah with the following supplication: Rabbana Aatinah fi-Dunyah Hasanah, wa fil-Aakhirati Hasanah, wa qina ‘Athab An-Naar (Our Lord, give us good in this world and in the Hereafter good, and protect us from the torment of the Fire).
🕯️ After that, there are no particular supplications to be made during each of the seven rounds of circumambulation;
the Muslim should engage in the remembrance of Allah and supplicate to Him; if he is able to memorize and recite some of the supplications in the Quran and of the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, he should do so.
📌 The Muslim should avoid pushing others while performing ‘Umrah; if others crowd him, he should not harm them.
Praying After Tawaf and Drinking Zamzam
After he finishes the seventh round of circumambulation, he should proceed directly to the area behind the shrine of Abraham, peace be upon him, or as close as possible, and then he pray two units of prayer, reciting the 112th chapter of the Quran in the second unit.
💦 After that, he may drink Zamzam water and supplicate to Allah as he likes.
Sa’ee: Walking Between Safa and Marwah
Next, he should go to the hill of Safa and, if he is able to, recite the 158th verse of the second chapter of the Quran in Arabic,
{إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ} [البقرة: 158]
“Indeed, [the hills of] Ṣafa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So, whoever performs the Hajj to the House [of Allah] or ‘Umrah pilgrimage, there is no sin on him if he goes between them. And, whoever does good voluntarily, certainly Allah is Appreciative and All-Knowing”.
The companion, Jaber, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated what the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, did upon arriving to Safa: “He first ascended Safa’ until he saw the House (i.e. the Kaaba), and, facing the Kaaba, declared the Oneness of Allah and glorified Him, saying:” There is no [true] god but Allah, Alone; there is no partner with Him. His is the Sovereignty; to Him all praise is due, and He is Powerful over everything. There is no god but Allah alone, Who fulfilled His promise, helped His servant and routed the confederates alone.” He then made supplication in the course of that saying such words three times.” Narrated by Muslim
Then, he proceeds from Safa to Marwah as the first of seven times between them, known as Sa’ee. There is a particular area between them it is prophetic practice to run in; this area is demarcated by green lights.
When he reaches Al-Marwah, he should ascend it and supplicate as he did when he arrived to Safa. There are no special supplications to be made during each of the seven rounds of Sa’ee; the Muslim should engage in the remembrance of Allah, including recitation of the Quran and supplications from the prophetic traditions, if he is able to do so.
Completing ‘Umrah
After he finishes the seventh round at the Hill of Marwah, he may exit the Grand Mosque and shave or trim all of the hair on his head. If he shaves it, that is better for him.
A woman should only remove the length of hair equal to one digit of her finger, and not exceed that.
With this, the rites of ‘Umrah have been completed. The Muslim can return to his homeland safe and sound, praising Allah, Lord of the worlds.
📝 Make your ‘Umrah sincerely for the sake of Allah, follow the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ in performing its rites, uphold humility and good manners, and avoid harming other pilgrims. Do not make your goal merely to complete the rites; rather, return with a purer heart, stronger faith, and a sincere determination to obey Allah.