Umrah is a Tawaf and Sa’ee in the holy land of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. One of the fundamentals of Islam and one of its most revered obligations is salah. Umrah can be performed at any time of the year and is not limited to the holy month of Zulhijjah, like Hajj. It is very important to Muslims worldwide.
What is the Purpose of Umrah?
Everybody can perform Umrah anytime except during the Hajj, but its primary purpose is to seek nearness to Allah. It is a religious experience through which people of expanding Islam ask for pardon for their sins and blessings. Some of the activities done during Umrah include particular motions that followers of Islam think help them draw near to their Allah. Another better thing is you need to choose a better travel agency that will provide all of the essential guidance and services, to help you perform the rituals better. So, while having Ramadan Umrah deals from any travel agency, keep these things in mind and choose accordingly. Now the question is, why Ramadan? this month is considered the most holy month according to the Islamic calendar. There will be a bunch of rituals to be performed and a golden chance to learn many things.
However, it is encouraged that Muslims perform Umrah in Islam as often as possible. It is recommended, that is, something that the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did, but it is not as compulsory as going for the Hajj. But whoever is willing and able to undertake the trip and with no ailments or diseases should perform it once in his/her lifetime.
The Rituals of Umrah
The rituals of Umrah are straightforward, though they have deep-rooted impacts. They include:
Ihram is a state of consecration in which any person becomes physically and mentally pure. According to the pre-visit, guests must dress in a unique white garment called Ihram before entering Makkah. This garment represents cleanliness and balance between man and his Creator. Both genders wear it.
- Tawaf: The movement of circulating the Kaaba in an anti-clockwise manner seven times. Tawaf is one of the significant elements of Umrah, as with most Islamic rituals and practices. The Kaaba is a miniature cube-shaped building located in the centre of Mecca, Saudi Arabia’s Masjid al-Haram.
- Sa’i: Just after Tawaf the people walk and run around Safa and Marwa seven times to perform this ritual.
- Tahallul or Shaving/Cutting Hair: Male pilgrims shave their heads or trim their hair after performing the Tawaf and Sa’i. Female candidates cut their hair in some measure. This act exemplifies your rebirth.
These are the fundamental steps followed in Umrah. Pilgrims carry out these rituals wholesomely, intending to wash their sins and earn merits.
Types of Umrah
There are two main types of Umrah: Umrah al-Tammatu and Umrah al-Qiran. The steps involved are somewhat different, and each step is important in some way.
1. Umrah al-Tammatu (Individual Umrah)
In General, Umrah al-Tammatu is the most popular form of Umrah. This is the process of conducting Umrah holy rituals separated from those of Hajj. Here’s how it works:
- Ihram for Umrah: People start the state of Ihram for Umrah when they get to Makkah.
- Tawaf: They do the Tawaf encircling the Ka’bah.
- Sa’i: Just after Tawaf, they perform Sa’i.
- Shaving/Cutting Hair: They then mark the end of the pilgrimage by shaving the head or cutting hair.
Thus, after performing Umrah, people cease to be in the state of Ihram and stroll around. Then, when the time for the Hajj comes, a specific part of the year in the Islamic calendar, they put Ihram on again and start performing Hajj rituals.
2. Al-Qiran Umrah (Blessed Umrah and Hajj)
Umrah al-Qiran is when someone performs Umrah and Hajj simultaneously, wearing the same Ihram. This implies that the pilgrim is still in the status of Ihram for both or performs both without leaving the state of Ihram.
- Ihram for Umrah and Hajj: When the pilgrim puts on Ihram, he intends to perform both Umrah and Hajj, although he may be arriving at the time of Hajj only.
- Tawaf and Sa’i: They do the Tawaf and Sa’i while performing Umrah by taking it as the most essential part of the process.
- Continuing Ihram: The pilgrim stays in the state of Ihram and proceeds to the Hajj mode when it is time.
This type of Umrah is less common but is preferred by some pilgrims who want to perform both rituals in one trip. But you must choose a good month for Umrah to explore and learn more without worrying about the sun’s heat. Travellers always prefer to have February Umrah packages because you can efficiently perform all the rituals this month due to pleasant weather & without any mess and trouble.
3. Umrah al-Ifrad (Hajj-Only Umrah)
This type of Umrah is performed by those who intend to perform Hajj but wish to perform Umrah first. Pilgrims performing Umrah al-Ifrad only need to perform the rituals of Umrah Tawaf, Sa’i, and shaving before entering the state of Ihram again for Hajj.
- Ihram for Umrah: The pilgrim wear ehram to performs Tawaf and Sa’i.
- Prepare for Hajj: Just after Umrah, the pilgrim get themselves ready for Hajj and perform all of the required rituals in the process.
Though Umrah al-Ifrad is less common, it is allowed for those travelling for Hajj. It differs from the other types because it does not combine the Umrah and Hajj rituals into one trip.</span></p>
Differences Between Umrah and Hajj
While both Umrah and Hajj are important pillars of Islam but yet there are many differences between them have a look.
- Obligation: Every Muslim who has the financial and physical means to do so must make the Hajj at least once in their lifetime. However, Umrah is a voluntary act that can be done at any time of the year.
- Rituals: The Hajj includes additional rituals, such as standing at Arafat and throwing stones at the Jamarat, while Umrah has fewer rituals.
- Timing: Hajj is always perdoemed on the specific dates (the 8th to 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar). Umrah can be done at any time of the year, whenever you feel easy you can just go for this holy journey.
Conclusion
Umrah is an appealing journey, and every Muslim should strive to perform the journey to be close to their Creator. It holds great importance in the Islamic Religion, and it is an excellent opportunity to go through the process of spiritual renewal. As for Umratul-ifrad, Umratul-qiran, and Umratul-tamanu, each term has significance. It is a way through which Muslims try to redeem their hearts and souls, earn rewards from Allah, and ask for Allah’s forgiveness. It is a chance to embrace serenity, the status all Muslims wish to attain in their lifetime with Allah.
