Umrah is that mode of worship which is performed in the Holy Mosque of Makkah. Umrah can also be completed within a few hours by performing all the basic pillars of Umrah. One thing that needs to be noted is that for all international Muslims planning to perform Umrah, one needs to get an Umrah visa for border entry and in addition to it pilgrims travelling with tour groups need to make sure that their tour group operators are officially authorized. Muslims all over the world, especially those living in non-Muslim countries, prefer to travel through Umrah tour groups. Just like, Muslims from London looks for the best Umrah packages from London that suit the number of days they want to stay in the Holy Land of Saudi Arabia during Umrah and their budget.
In the following, the four basic pillars of the Umrah are explained which each Muslim needs to perform in Umrah
1. IHRAM
Ihram is essentially the formal 'intention' of the performance of Umrah. Each individual before entering into the fold of the Ihram needs to change his clothes and perform Ghussal to wipe off any impurity from his body. Men are dressed in two types of fabric, Rida and Izaar, while women can wear any type of clothing that completely covers their body and head. Once the person performs the ghusl and cleanses himself then he should perform the obligatory prayer or two Rakah of Sunnah facing the direction of Holy Kaabah and then that person officially enters the Ihram. He/She must enter into Ihram before leaving for Meeqat in Makkah. Any fragrance or such product is not allowed once he enters into ihram. On reaching Meeqat, the pilgrim should say the intention followed by recitation of Talbiyah as per Sunnah:
“Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak”
It is better to keep on reciting Talbiyah right after entering Ihram till the performance of Umrah.
2. TAWAAF
You need to begin your Tawaaf from the Hajar Al-Aswad and it should be at your right side while facing the Kaabah. Say the intention and recite the Dua of Umrah. When you reach Hajar Al-Aswad slightly touch and kiss it by putting your face between your hands. There is a great chance that you may not get a chance to touch or kiss Hajar Al-Aswad due to the intensity of the crowd, so just lift your hands with your palm facing it, assuming your hands and face touch Hajar Al-Aswad, utter 'Bismillahi Wallahu Akbar', then you may kiss your palm. Pilgrims must perform seven rounds of Tawaaf (around the Kaabah), Kaabah being on their left side and while doing Tawaaf right shoulder should be left uncovered. The first three rounds of the Tawaaf must be performed at a faster pace and with shorter steps practising “Ramal”
After performing Tawaaf, the pilgrim should offer two raka’h of prayer behind the Muqaam e Ibrahim. If it is difficult to offer the prayer at this place, the pilgrim can offer the prayer at any place in the mosque.
3. SA’AI
Pilgrims should then move towards the hills of Safa and climb the hill to a height where one can view Kaabah. Facing the Ka’abah pilgrim raises their hand asks Allah Almighty for their needs, desires or any Dua they want to make. Seven rounds have to be completed by walking or running between the hills of Saffa and Marwah while reciting duas and doing dhikr.
4. SHAVING THE HEAD/ GETTING HAIRCUT
After completing seven rounds, each individual must have their hair cut. Halq and Qasr are the two modes for hair cut for men. The pilgrim after entering into the fold of Ihram, performing Tawaaf and Sa’ai officially completes his Umrah by getting a haircut.