The Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any time of the year. Umrah means to perform Tawaf round the Ka‘bah, and Sa’ee between Safa and Marwa.
Allah says, “And perform properly (i.e. all the ceremonies according to the ways of Prophet Muhammad), the Hajj and ‘Umrah (i.e. the pilgrimage to Makkah) for Allah” [al-Baqarah 2:196]
It includes a series of steps that must be fulfilled in order to have completed the Umrah. These include:
- Doing ghusl as in the case of janaabah, and putting on perfume.
- Putting on the ihram garments, which are the rida’ and izaar (upper and lower garment) for men. Women may wear whatever they want of permissible clothing.
- Reciting the Talbiyah and repeating it until the start of tawaaf.
- Tawaf or circumambulating the Ka’bah seven times, starting and ending each circuit at the Black Stone.
- Praying two rak‘ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim.
- Sa‘ee between as-Safa and al-Marwa, seven laps, starting at as-Safa and ending at al-Marwa.
- Shaving the head or cutting the hair for men, and cutting the hair for women.
For more details on this, listen to these audio lectures and acquaint yourselves on this spiritual journey called Umrah.