August 3, 2023
Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage, is essentially an act of worship directed towards Allah (SWT). It is founded on the Sunnah and teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The pilgrimage, which can be performed at any time of the year, is a trip to the House of Allah (SWT) but how to perform Umrah? Compared to the “greater pilgrimage” of the Hajj, it is referred to as a “minor pilgrimage.” However, in the sight of Allah (SWT), it has immense worth and virtue.
Umrah Guide step-by-step for Successful Experience
The Umrah is supported by four fundamental pillars
Here is your complete guide on How to Perform Umrah
Ihram
Making an official “intention” to undertake the Umrah is referred to as Ihram. A person must change into Ihram-appropriate clothing and take a proper bath (ghusl), which symbolizes the process of washing away all impurities. Women can wear any type of clothing that covers their bodies and heads, but males must change into the two materials, Ridaa and Izaar. It is also recommended that women who are menstruation or who are bleeding after giving birth do ghusl.
The person should recite the required prayers after the purification or offer two rakaat of Sunnah prayer. After then, the person should turn to face the Qibla and formally enter Ihram. This must be done before the person departs for the Miqat in Makkah. While a person is wearing his Ihram, using perfume or items containing perfume is absolutely forbidden.
The pilgrim must make the following intention and recite these at the Meeqat:“Labbayk Allaahumma bi ‘Umrah”(Here I am, O Allah, for ‘Umrah)
He or she should next recite the Talbiyah in accordance with the Sunnah:“Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak” ((Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, you have no partner, and here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are yours, and all sovereignty, you have no partner).”
It is recommended that the person continue saying the Talbiyah from the time they enter ihram until they complete the Tawaaf.
Tawaaf (around Allah’s House (SWT))
The next step of how to perform Umrah is the pilgrim must next go into Masjid al-Haram with his or her right foot while reciting
“Bismillaah wa’l-salaatu wa’l-salaam ‘ala Rasool-Allaah. Allaahumma ighfir li dhunoobi waftah li abwaab rahmatika. A’oodhu Billaah il-‘Azeem wa bi wajhih il-kareem wa bi sultaanih il-‘qadeem min al-Shaytaan il-rajeem”.(Blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah in the name of Allah. O Allah, pardon my transgressions and let the doors of your kindness open to me. I seek protection from the accursed Satan with Allah the Almighty, in His exemplary Countenance, and in His everlasting might.).”
The Tawaaf can then begin once the pilgrim touches the Black Stone (Hajr e Aswad). The pilgrim should kiss it, and ideally touch it with his right hand. But if he or she can’t kiss it directly, they can touch it with their hand and then kiss their hand. The Black Stone can be touched with tremendous benefit. The pilgrim should raise his/her hand towards the stone and utter “Allahu Akbar” even if he/she is unable to touch it with their hand. The pilgrim then begins the Tawaaf, which involves making laps around the Ka’bah with the Ka’bah on their left. During Tawaaf, one must be careful not to touch the Ka’bah’s fabric since it is fragrant and doing so might cause part of the perfume to rub off onto you, nullifying the state of Ihram.
Men are required to cover their right shoulder during the Tawaaf, also known as Idtibaa. The Ridaa is taken up on the left shoulder and placed behind the right armpit to accomplish this. The males must also practice ‘raml’ in the first three rounds of Tawaaf, which is simply walking quickly while taking short steps. They are free to move about on their usual path for the remaining rounds.
The pilgrim must next proceed to the Ibrahim station (Maqaam e Ibrahim) and recite the following lines after completing the seven rounds of Tawaaf:
“And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraaheem (Abraham) [or the stone on which Ibraaheem (Abraham) stood while he was building the Ka’bah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rak‘at after the Tawaaf of the Ka’bah at Makkah)”
After that, the pilgrim should pray for two rakaat behind the Maqaam e Ibrahim. If that proves to be challenging, the pilgrim may offer the prayers elsewhere inside the mosque. Surah Al-Kafirun (109) and Surah Al-Ikhlaas (112) are recited during the first and second rakahs, respectively. The person should return to the Black Stone and, if feasible, touch it after offering the prayer.
Saa’i between Marwah and Safa
The pilgrim should next proceed to the Saa’i (Masaa) location, and as they get closer to the Safa hill, they should say the following:
“Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Mecca) are of the Symbols of Allah.” AND
“Nabda’u bima bada’a Allaah bihi”(Beginning with what Allah began is where we begin.)
The next step is for the pilgrim to ascend the Safa hill to a location where they can see the Ka’bah. He or she should supplicate to Allah (SWT) while facing the Ka’bah and raising their hand. The pilgrim is allowed to make whatever dua that they so want. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have uttered the following dua in praise:
“Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk, wa lahu’l-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer. Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdah, anjaza wa’dah, wa nasara ‘abdah, wa hazamaa al-ahzaaba wahdah”(There is no other deity than Allah, and He has neither a partner nor a companion. He holds the throne, deserves all honors, and is capable of doing everything. There is no other god except Allah, and He alone brought about the confederates’ defeat, kept His word, and gave victory to His slave)
This should be done three times by the pilgrim: Dhikr, supplicate, Dhikr, supplicate, etc. The guys are then instructed to rush between the green lights as the pilgrim descends to Marwah. The guys should sprint until they reach the second green marker, at which point they should walk normally to the hill of Marwah and climb it. The distance is indicated by two green markers. The pilgrim is required to say what they recited at Safa while facing the Qibla. The pilgrim must then descend once again and go in the direction of Safa. The pilgrim must perform Umrah the same action again when they go to Safa and again when they return to Marwah for seven circuits (one circuit is from Safa to Marwah).
Shaving Head
Lastly, the pilgrim must cut his or her hair after completing the seven circles. The guys are forced to evenly shave or trim their whole heads of hair. The length of the women’s hair must be trimmed to the tip of a finger.
This final act marks the completion of the pilgrim’s Umrah.
If you are planning to perform Umrah, you may be wondering how to prepare for this spiritual journey and what to expect from it. You may also be looking for the best Umrah packages from UK that suit your budget and preferences. So here, we will share with you some useful information about the best Umrah deals from UK that you can avail. Whether you are a first-time pilgrim or an experienced one, we hope that this blog will inspire you to embark on this blessed journey and make the most of it.
How to Find Cheap Umrah Packages from UK in 2023
If you are planning to perform Umrah in 2023, you might be wondering how to find cheap Umrah packages from UK. There are many factors that affect the cost of Umrah packages, such as the season, duration, accommodation, transportation, and the services included.
In this blog post, we will share some tips and information on how to find cheap Umrah packages from UK in 2023, as well as some useful resources on Umrah information guide, Umrah visa from UK, and Umrah packages from UK.
Tip 1: Book Early
One of the best ways to find best Umrah packages 2023 is to book early. The earlier you book, the more options you will have in terms of flights, hotels, and dates. You will also be able to take advantage of early bird discounts and special offers that some travel agents and operators may offer.
Booking early will also give you more time to prepare for your Umrah journey, such as applying for your Umrah visa from UK, getting your vaccinations, packing your essentials, and learning about how to perform Umrah, the rituals and etiquettes in the best way possible.
Tip 2: Compare Different Packages
Another way to find cheap Umrah packages from UK is to compare different packages offered by different travel agents and operators. You can check online on umrahpackages.org.uk that allows you to compare different Umrah packages from UK based on your preferences and budget.
You can then choose a package as per your needs and preferences, like kind of hotel (3, 4, 5 star) and number of days you want to stay there.
Tip 3: Choose Off-Peak Seasons
Another way to find cheap Umrah packages from UK is to choose off-peak seasons. The peak seasons for Umrah are usually during Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and school holidays. During these times, the demand for Umrah packages is high and so are the prices.
If you want to save money on your Umrah package, you can choose to perform Umrah during off-peak seasons when there are fewer pilgrims and lower prices. However, you should also consider the weather conditions in Saudi Arabia during different seasons. The summer months can be very hot and dry, while the winter months can be extremely cold and rainy.
You should also check the Islamic calendar and avoid performing Umrah during prohibited days such as Ashura (10th of Muharram), Nisf Sha’ban (15th of Sha’ban), or Nisf Shaban (15th of Ramadan).
Tip 4: Opt for Shared Accommodation
Another way to find affordable Umrah packages 2023 is to opt for shared accommodation. If you are traveling with your family or friends, you can share a room or an apartment with them and split the cost. This way, you can save money on your accommodation and also enjoy more privacy and comfort than staying in a hotel.
However, if you are traveling alone or with strangers, you should be careful about choosing your roommates. You should make sure that they are trustworthy, respectful, and compatible with you. You should also respect their privacy and personal space.
Tip 5: Look for Special Offers
Another way to find best Umrah packages from UK according to your budget is to look for special offers. Some travel agents like umrahpackages.org.uk may offer special discounts or deals on their Umrah packages from time to time. You can check their website or social media pages regularly to stay updated on their latest offers.
Conclusion
Performing Umrah is a dream for many Muslims around the world. However, finding cheap Umrah packages from UK can be challenging and time-consuming. By following the tips and information we shared in this blog post, you can find the best Umrah package for you that suits your budget and needs.
We hope that this blog post has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us. We are always happy to assist you with your hassle free Umrah journey.
We liked our complete Umrah information guide, where in we have shared everything in detail. If you intend to undertake the Umrah soon, you will find this post to be helpful. We pray that Allah would accept your prayers and actions. Ameen!