How to perform Umrah

How to Perform Umrah
Before wearing the ihram, it is sunnah to trim one's nails, remove unwanted hair and make ghusl. If ghusl is not possible then wudu will be sufficient. Wearing of ihram should be done before entering meeqat. One piece of ihram is tied around the waist and the other thrown over the shoulders. Underwear, head covering (for males), shoes, socks are not permitted. Beach thongs or similar footwear that do not cover the arch of the foot (above the toes) and ankles are permissible.

Salaatul Ihram
After wearing the ihram, perform two rakaat sunnatul ihram. In the first rakaah read: Surah Kafiroon In the second rakaah read Surah Ikhlaas. After the completion of this salah, make the niyyah (intention) of umrah, and recite the talbiyah thrice (Loudly for males, and softly for females).

INTENTION FOR UMRAH:
Recite the following dua (with raised hands):

"Allahumma inni uridil umrahta fa-yassisra le wa taqabbalah minni"

Thereafter, recite the talbiyah thrice:

Labbaik allahumma labbaik. Labbaik la sharika laka labbaik. Innal hamda wanaimat laka wal mulk.La sharika lal
(Here I am, O Allah here I am -- here I am, you have no partner, here I am -- Surely all praise, favor and authority belongs to you. You have no partner.)

After the talbiyah, the following dua was recited by rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam):

O Allah I seek your pleasure and jannah (paradise) and seek protection in you.

En-route to Makkah read talbiyah as much as possible and zikr. On reaching Makkah one should find accommodation.It is mustahab to perform ghusl. (Do not shave ,do not use soap and do not rub the body and head to avoid any hair falling off you. Thereafter enter the masjidul haram, preferably through the door named "babus salaam".

When entering the masjid area:

Tawaf of Umrah
Before commencing with tawaf, make a slight change in the top piece of ihram. Cover the left shoulder with one end of the ihram and pass the other end under the right arm, thus baring the right arm and shoulder and covering the left shoulder. This is called idtiba. Now reciting the talbiyah, proceed to the hajr-e-aswad, (black stone) which is at the corner of the Ka'bah closest to the door of the Ka'bah. A darkish brown line runs from the hajr-e-aswad till the end of the mataf (mataf is the open area for tawaf). It is easily visible as the mataf is of white marble. Above the line on the wall at the edge of the mataf is a green light which is directly in line with the hajr-e-aswad. The starting point of your tawaf is on this line, as close as possible to the hajr-e-aswad. Before starting the tawaf, stand facing the Ka'bah with the brownish line on your right. Stop reciting the talbiyah and make your intention:

O' Allah I intend performing tawaf of your sacred house, (seven rounds) so make my tawaf easy for me and O' Allah accept it from me.

Now stand on the darkish brown line and face the hajr-e-aswad. Standing with the face and chest in line with the hajr-e -aswad, raise both hands as in salaah and recite the following:

Bismilah allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah was lillahil hamd
In the name of Allah - Allah is the greatest.
There is none worthy of worship besides Allah and all praise belongs to Allah.

Thereafter, proceed towards the hajr-e-aswad and kiss it thrice lightly without smacking the lips, provided there is no it on the hajr-e-aswad. If a large crowd is nearby and you are unable to kiss the hajr-e-aswad, you have the following options:

Start moving towards your right and your tawaf has begun. For males the first three shawts (rounds) are to be done at a brisk pace with the chest out (this gesture is called ramal). The last four rounds at a normal walking pace. Engross yourself in dua and the third kalima while making tawaf. (Note: during tawaf do not face the Ka'bah with your chest. The Ka'bah should be on your left during tawaf. You will face the Ka'bah only when you are standing on the brown line to make istilam). The hatim has to be encircled as well. The tawaf will be incomplete. If one passes through the hatim. (The hatim is the area with a low, half circle shaped marble wall close to the Ka'bah. Everytime you circle the Ka'bah touch the rukn-yamani (the yamani corner) with your hands or the right hand, as this is mustahab. Do not kiss or place your forehead against it. If you are unable to touch it, move on (without raising the hands). Everytime you reach the hajr-aswad, if possible kiss it, otherwise while standing on the brown line raise your right hand with palm facing the hajr-e-aswad. RECITE: BISMILLAHI ALLAHU-AKBAR and kiss your palm. Complete your seven rounds in this manner.

Tawaf Duaa
Duaa should be recited softly, keeping the meanings in mind. Loud recital of duaa is makrooh. Remember it is better to read a dua in the language you understand.
There are no fixed duaa for each round. You are at liberty to recite anything to suit your personal needs. We include certain selected duaa rasullah (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) and the sahabah (r.a.)

Subhanallahi wal hamdu lillahi wa lailahi illallah wallahu akbar wa la hawla wa la quwwata ilala billahil aliyyil azim
Glory be to Allah. All praise be to Allah. Allah is the greatest. There is no power and might except from Allah, the most high, the great.

Dua between rukn-Yamni and Hajr-e-Aswad
This was the most recited duaa in tawaf by rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam ) and the sahabah (r.a.).

Rabbana Aatina fiddunya Hasanah wa fil akhirsti hasanah wa qina azaban nar
(Our lord grant us good in the world and in the hereafter and save us from the fire hell).

Your tawaf will be completed after seven rounds (you have made istilam 8 times). When directly in line with the mizab (a water drain from roof) recite:

O' Allah I ask you for forgiveness and safety in the world and in the hereafter . Our lord, grant us good in the world and in the hereafter and save us from the fire (hell)

Go to multazim (an area between the Ka'bah door and hajr-e-aswad) and make dua to your hearts desire seeking Allah's grace and mercy. If possible place your chest against the wall of the Ka'bah, hands raised and right cheek touching the wall. Thereafter, if it is not makrooh time for salaah, go behind the maqam ibrahim. If there is no space behind the maqam ibrahim then any other place in the haram will suffice. Cover both shoulders and perform 2 rakaat salaah. These 2 rakaat are wajib (wajibut-tawaf) and themustahab suras are kafiroon and ikhlaas . Next go downstairs to the well of zam-zam and drink to your fill. Before drinking say: "bismillah" and after drinking say " alhamdulillah". Duaa near the zam-zam well are accepted so make dua there as well. The well is visible with a glass partition blocking entry to it (in the male section).
The dua of rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) at the time of drinking zam-zam is as follows:

O' Allah I am asking you for beneficial knowledge and extensive sustenance and a cure from all ills.

Safa Marwah (S'aee)
Stand on Mount Safa (a rocky hill, a portion of which has been included in the present building), face the Ka'bah, make dua then read:

La ilaha illalah and Allahu akbar and then read durood sharif (softly).

Descend from the slope and proceed towards Marwah staying to your right side of the area. About 230 feet (70 meters) from Safa are two sets of green fluorescent lights indicating the milain akhdarain. Males have to break out into a slow jog between these lights, a distance of about 160 feet (50 metres). It is sunnah to jog or run this short distance. Engage yourself with dua and zikr and repeatedly recite.
On reaching marwah, climb the slope, face the Ka'bah and do the same as you had done at safa. (The Ka'bah is not visible from Marwah). One shawt has now been completed. Commence your return to Safa .On reaching the green light breaks out into a slow jog again till you reach the other green light. On reaching Safa, the same procedure of reciting the duaa is carried out. The second shawt has now been completed. In this manner complete seven shawts ending at Marwah .After completing the seven rounds, return to the mataf area of the haram (i.e. the open area around the Ka'bah ) and perform two rakaat salaah (mustahab). Thereafter, go to the barber and have your hair shaven off (male only). Women will trim the end of the hair (approx: 1 inch or 2.5 cm). The best way is for her mahram (after he has shaven off his hair) to wrap the end of her hair once around his finger and snip off the amount mentioned above.

How to Perform Hajj

By Shaikh Muhammad As-Salih Al-Uthaimeen

In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Hajj is one of the best forms of worship and is one of the most sublime deeds because it is one of the pillars of Islam that Allah sent Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) with. Ones religion is incomplete without it. A form of worship is only acceptable when the following is true.

Forms of Pilgrimage

Tamattu
A pilgrim wears Ihram for Umrah only during the months of Hajj, which means when he reaches Makkah, he makes Tawaf and Sa'yi for Umrah. He then shaves or clips his hair. On the day of Tarwiya, which is the eighth of Dhul-Hijja, he puts on his Ihram for Hajj only and carries out all of its requirements.

Ifraad
A pilgrim wears Ihram for Hajj only. When he reaches Makkah, he performs Tawaf for his arrival and Sa'yi for Hajj. He doesn't shave or clip his hair as he doesn't disengage from Ihram. Instead, he remains in Ihram till after he stones Jamrah Al-Aqaba on the Eid day. It is permissible for him to postpone his Sa'yi for Hajj until after his

Tawaf for Hajj
A pilgrim wears Ihram for both Umrah and Hajj or he wears Ihram first for Umrah, then makes intentions for Hajj before his Tawaf for Hajj. The obligations on one performing Ifraad are the same as those on one performing Qiran, except that the latter must slaughter whereas the former is not obligated to do so.

The best of the three forms is Tamattu'. It is the form that the prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) encouraged his followers to perform. Even if a pilgrim makes intentions to perform Qiran or Ifraad he is allowed to change his intentions to Tamattu', he can do this even after he has performed Tawaf and Sa'yi.
When the Prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) performed Tawaf and Sa'yi during the year of the Farewell Hajj with his companions, he ordered all those who hadn't brought sacrificial animals to change their intentions for Hajj to intentions for Umrah. Cut their hair, and disengage from Ihram till Hajj. He said, "If I hadn't brought the sacrificial animal, I'd have done what I've ordered you to do."

The Umrah
If a pilgrim wishes to be ritually pure for Umrah, he should shed his clothing and bathe as he would after sexual defilement, if convenient. He should perfume his head and beard with the best oil he can find. There is no harm in what remains of it after Ihram.
Bathing for Ihram is Sunnah for both men and women, including menstruating women and those experiencing postnatal bleeding. After bathing and preparing himself, a. pilgrim, other than those menstruating or experiencing postnatal bleeding, prays the obligatory prayer, if it is time. Otherwise, he makes his intention by praying the two Sunnah Rakass which are made each time Wudhu is performed.

When he finishes his prayer he should say: "Here I am for Umrah, here I am, and Oh Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner. Here I am. Surely all praise, grace and dominion is yours, and you have no partner." [Talbeeyah]. A man raises his voice when saying this and a woman says it so that only one beside her may hear her.
One in Ihram should say the Talbeeyah as often as possible, especially when times and places change. For example: when descending or ascending during travel or when day or night approach. He should also ask Allah for His pleasure, for Heaven and seek refuge in Allah's mercy from Hellfire.

One should say the Talbeeyah during Umrah, starting from the time he puts on his Ihram till he starts Tawaf. During Hajj he should say it starting from the time he puts on his Ihram till he starts to stone Jamrah Al-Aqaba on the Eid day. When a pilgrim enters the Holy Mosque he puts forth his right foot first and says: "In the name of Allah, may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. Oh Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the doors of your mercy. I seek refuge in Allah the Almighty and in His Eminent Face and in His Eternal Dominion from the accursed Satan."

He approaches the Black Stone, touches it with his right hand and kisses it. If this isn't possible, he should face the Black Stone and point to it. It is best not to push and shove, causing harm and being harmed by other people.
When touching the Stone, a pilgrim should say the following: "In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest. Oh, Allah, with faith in you, belief in Your book, loyalty to you, compliance to the way of your Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)."

A pilgrim must walk, keeping the Kabah on his left. When he reaches the Rukn Al Yamani he should touch, but not kiss it, and say: "Our Lord, grant us good in this life and good in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Hell fire. Oh Allah, I beg of you for forgiveness and health in this life and in the Hereafter." Each time he passes the Black Stone he should say: "Allah is the Greatest."
During the remainder of his Tawaf he may say what he pleases of supplications, mentioning Allah, and recitation of Quran. This is because Tawaf, Sa'yi, and Stoning the Jamrah have been devised for the purpose of mentioning Allah. During this Tawaf it is necessary for a man to do two things:

He ascends As-Safaa until he is able to see the Ka'bah. Facing the Ka'bah and raising his hands, he praises Allah and makes any supplications he chooses. The Prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prayed thus: "There is no Deity but Allah alone," three times, supplicating in between. He descends As-Safaa and heads for Al-Marwah at a normal pace until he reaches the green marker. He should then run fast until the next green marker. He continues toward Al-Marwah at a normal pace. When he reaches it, he ascends it, faces the Qibla, raises his hands and repeats what he said on As-Safaa. He descends Al-Marwah heading towards As-Safaa, taking care to walk where walking is designated and run where running is designated. He continues this procedure until he completes seven laps. Going from As-Safaa to Al-Marwah is a lap and returning is another lap. During his Sa'yi he may recite what he wills of supplications, recitation of Qur'an, and mentioning Allah.
In completion of Sa'yi he shaves his head. A woman clips her hair the length of a finger tip. Shaving is preferable, except when Hajj is near and there isn't sufficient time for hair to grow back. In this case it's best to clip so that hair will remain for shaving during Hajj. Once the Umrah is completed pilgrim is free to dress in other clothing, wear perfume and engage in marital relations, etc.

The Hajj
In the forenoon of the eighth day of Dhul-Hijja, a pilgrim purifies himself once again by bathing as he did before Umrah in the place in which he is staying, if convenient. He puts on his Ihram and says: "Here I am for Hajj. Here I am, oh Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner. Here I am. Surely all praise, grace and dominion is yours, and you have no partners." If he fears that something will prevent him from completing his Hajj he should make a condition when he makes his intentions, saying: "If I am prevented by any obstacle my place is wherever I am held up." If he has no such fear, he doesn't make this condition.

A pilgrim goes to Mina and there prays Dhuhr, Asr, Magrib, Isha and Fajr, shortening his four unit prayers so as to make them two units each, without combining them. When the sun rises, he goes to Arafah and there prays Dhuhr and Asr combined at the time of Dhuhr, making each one two units. He remains in Namira Mosque until sunset if possible. He remembers Allah and makes as many supplications as possible while facing the Qibla.

The Prophet (may the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) prayed thus: "There is no Deity but Allah alone. He has no partner. All dominion and praise are His and He is powerful over all things. If he grows weary it is permissible for him to engage in beneficial conversation with his companions or reading what he can find of beneficial books, especially those concerning Allah's grace and abundant gifts. This will strengthen his hope in Allah.

He should then return to his supplications and be sure to spend the end of the day deep in supplication because the best of supplication is the supplication of the day of Arafah. At sunset he goes from Arafah to Muzdalifah and there prays Magrib, Isha, and Fajr. If he is tired or has little water, it is permissible for him to combine Magrib and Isha. If he fears that he will not reach Muzdalifah until after midnight, he should pray before he reaches it for it is not permissible to delay prayer until after midnight. He remains there, in Muzdalifah, making supplications and remembering Allah till just before sunrise. If he is weak and cannot handle the crowd during Ar-Ramy, it is permissible for him to go to Mina at the end of the night to stone the Jamrah before the arrival of the crowd. Near sunrise, a pilgrim goes from Muzdalifah to Mina. Upon reaching it he does the following:

• He throws seven consecutive pebbles at Jamrah Al-Aqaba which is the closest monument to Makkah, saying Greatest," as he : "Allah is the throws each pebble.
  
  

• He slaughters the sacrificial animal, eats some of it, and gives some to the poor. Slaughter is obligatory on the Mutamati and Qiran.
  
  

• He shaves or clips his hair; shaving is preferable. A woman clips her hair the length of a finger tip.

These three should be done in the above order if convenient, but there is no restriction if one precedes another. With that, one is allowed to come out of Ihram. He can wear other clothing and do everything that was lawful before Ihram except engaging in marital relations. He goes to Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-lfadha and Sa'yi, also for Hajj. It is Sunnah to put perfume on before going to Makkah. With the completion of this Tawaf and Sa'yi, a pilgrim is allowed to do everything that was lawful before Ihram, including engaging in marital relations. After performing Tawaf and Sa'yi, he returns to Mina to spend the nights of the eleventh and twelfth days there. He stones the three Jamrah in the afternoon of both the eleventh and twelfth days. He starts with the first Jamrah, which is furthest from Makkah, then the middle one, and lastly Jamrah Al-Aqaba. Each one should be stoned with seven consecutive pebbles accompanied by Takbeer. He stops after the first and middle Jamrah to make supplications facing the Qibla. It is not permissible to stone before noon on these two days. It is best to walk to the Jamrah, but riding is permissible. If he is in a hurry after stoning on the twelfth day, he leaves Mina before sunset. But if he wishes to prolong his stay, which is best, he spends the night of the thirteenth in Mina and stones that afternoon in the same manner as on the twelfth day.
When he is ready to return to his country, he makes Tawaf Al-Wadaa, which is seven circuits around the Ka'bah. Menstruating women and women experiencing postnatal discharge are not obligated to perform Tawaf Al-Wadaa.

Visiting the Prophets Mosque

• Upon reaching the mosque he prays two Rakaas of salutation or performs any obligatory prayer that is due.
  
  
• He goes to the grave of the Prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and he stands before it. He greets him saying the “May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you, oh Prophet. May Allah grant you a good reward on behalf of your people". He takes a step or two to his right to position himself before Abu-Bakr and greets him saying : "May the peace, mercy, and blessing of Allah are upon you. Oh Abu-Bakr, Caliph of the Messenger of Allah. May Allah be pleased with you and grant you a good reward on behalf of Muhammad's people." Then he takes a step or two to his right to position himself before Umar and greets him saying: "May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you, oh Umar, Prince of the believers. May Allah be pleased with you and grant you a good reward on behalf of Muhammad's people."
  
  
• In a state of purity, he goes to pray in Qubaa Mosque.
  
  
• He goes to Al-Baqee to visit Uthman's grave (may Allah be pleased with him). He stands before it and greets him saying: "May the peace, mercy and blessing of Allah be upon you, Oh Uthman Prince of the believers. May Allah be pleased with you and grant you a good reward on behalf of Muhammad's people." He greets any other Muslims in Al-Baqee.
  
  
• He goes to Uhud and visits the grave of Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him) and the other martyrs there with him. He greets them and preys to Allah to grant them forgiveness, mercy, and pleasure.

Notifications
The following is incumbent upon the Muhrim for Hajj or Umrah:

The following pertains specifically to men

The following pertains specifically to women