Umrah means visiting a populated place. In Islam, Umrah is the name given to a pilgrimage, who in the sacred state of Ihram perform Tawaf around the Holy Kaaba and Sai between the hills of Safa and Marwah. It is a pilgrimage to Mecca and a shorter version of the annual Hajj. Umrah provides an opportunity for Muslims to seek forgiveness and pray for their needs. Umrah is not compulsory, it is voluntary. It is an act of worship and can be performed throughout the year. Umrah is a beautiful Sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad SAW. Millions of Muslims travel with cheap Umrah Packages from around the world every year to perform the Islamic Pilgrimage. Most Muslims want to perform Umrah during Ramadan or in the two other holy months of Rajab and Shaban, there is a great reward for worshiping in these holy months.
Purpose of Umrah:
The main purpose of Umrah is to connect with Allah and achieve His forgiveness. Muslims collect unlimited rewards with the act of worship. Umrah not only purifies the body and heart but also the soul and mind from past sins.
Time and age for Umrah:
There is no specific time for Umrah it can be performed throughout the year, except on the days of Hajj. It should not be performed during Hajj. An Umrah can be performed at any age, there is no age limit. However, women have to be accompanied by a mahram. But women over 45 years old can perform Umrah with travel tour groups without a mahram.
Umrah is located in Makkah:
Muslims from all over the world performed Umrah at Masjid al-Haram which is located in Makkah. Makkah is the holiest city for Muslims in Saudi Arabia.
How long is Umrah?
Umrah can be completed in 3 to 6 hours. There is no exact answer to the question of how long is Umrah, it depends on the crowd.
How to perform Umrah:
All the pilgrims during their journey to Holy Kaaba perform acts of faith these acts are called Umrah rituals. There are four major pillars of Umrah rituals.
• Ihram from Miqat:
Pilgrims should wear Ihram before entering the Masjid Al Haram to perform Umrah. A pilgrim who has attained the state of Ihram is called Muhrim. The pilgrims should follow some steps before getting into the state of Ihram like ghusl, clipping nails, shaving unwanted body hair, perfuming the head and beard, and changing into two white sacred Ihram sheets for men and women can wear ordinary Islamic clothes. Men and women both should wear flip-flops that expose the middle bones of the foot. Pilgrims should perform two rakats of Salah al-Ihram, pronouns the Niyyah, and then recite Talbiyah repeatedly.
• Tawaf:
After getting into the state of Ihram, pilgrims perform the act of Tawaf in Masjid Al Haram. Pilgrims must start Tawaf from Black stone and walk around the holy Kaaba seven times. They should complete the seven anticlockwise circumambulations while reciting Dua. After completing Tawaf pilgrims perform two rakat salat at Maqam Ibrahim.
• Sa’i:
Sa’I means to walk between the two mountains, mount Safa and mount Marwa seven times. After completing Sa’I pilgrims then offer a final prayer.
• Taqsir:
Taqsir is also known for the shortening of the hair of male pilgrims and female pilgrims cut a small amount of their hair, equal to the length of a fingertip. Near Masjid Al-Haram there are many barber shops. This point is the end of the Umrah. Now pilgrims are not required to follow the regulations of the Ihram.
Importance and benefits of Umrah:
Umrah is important for Muslims because it helps to eliminate poverty and strengthens their faith. It also gives a chance to be a guest of Allah. The maximum benefit of Umrah is that you achieve Allah’s pleasure that accomplish you in this world and the next life. When Muslims spend their time and money in the way of Allah, He forgives their sins.
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