The Holy Journey of Umrah
Every year hundreds of thousands of Muslims visit the blessed city of Makkah to perform the holy journey of Umrah. This refers to the visit to the sacred Kabah. It can be performed at any time of the year. Before you view the different Offers 2019-2010, let us have a look at what the holy journey of Umrah is about.
Steps of Umrah
There are four major steps which are as follows: –
- The holy journey begins from Meeqat where pilgrims change into Ihram and make the intention to perform Umrah. The intention is made in the heart. From there on, it begins. Pilgrims proclaim their intention loudly by reciting the Talbiyah:
“labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la shareeka lak”
- When you enter the courtyard of Masjid-al-Haram, set your right foot first and say:
“Bismillah, Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad, Allahumma Ighfirli waftahli Abwaba Rahmatik.
When we go to somebody’s home we express our gratitude and humility in return for the invitation we got to visit the home. So this is the house of Allah-the Almighty. Paying a visit to the house of Allah requires utmost humility and gratitude. Then you perform Tawaf round the holy Kabah seven times in counter-clockwise direction. When you approach Hajr-e-Aswad, kiss it and touch it with your right hand. Since all the pilgrims try to touch it, the Black Stone is usually difficult to reach. In that case, even if you point to it from a distance it would be good enough. However, hurting anyone to get close to Hajr-e-Aswad shall do no good to you.
- Next pilgrims are to walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times. This is called Sayee.
- Lastly, the holy journey of Umrah is completed by having head shaved. This ritual is specifically for men whereas women are required to cut a lock of their hair. This removes the pilgrim from the state of Ihram and all that was unlawful for them in the state of Ihram becomes lawful from thereon.
Holy Journey of Umrah in The Light of Quran and Ahadith
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is an extremely strenuous and highly rewarding form of worship. Umrah is known as Hajj-e-Asghar, the minor pilgrimage. If somebody cannot afford to go to Hajj, he can still earn a great reward by performing this. As the Holy Quran says:
Indeed! Safa and Marwah as (two mountains in Makkah) are among the Signs of Allah. Is it a sin if he or Umrah Hajj (Pilgrimage) House (in Mecca Kabah) between them by going (Tawaf) (Safa and Marwah) is not performing to perform? And who volunteered well, and then of course all the Recognizer, All-Knower is. (Quran: 2/158)
Properly (ie Prophet Mohammad (saw) all the way around), Hajj and Umrah for Allah (ie Pilgrimage to Mecca) perform. (Quran: 2/196)
According to hadith, performing Umrah in the month of Ramadan is equal to performing Hajj.
Performing Hajj and Umrah purifies the soul of a Muslim from all the sins and makes him as innocent as a newborn baby.
Places to Visit When You Book Your Umrah Offers 2019-2020
When you scroll through Umrah Offers 2019-2020 make sure that they feature a visit to some of the holy places around Makkah. No trip to Makkah for Umrah can be complete without paying a visit to the wonderful city of Madina-the city of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). There are so much serenity and holy attraction in the city that pilgrims wish to stay in Madina forever. Masjid-e-Nabawi’s beauty is spellbinding. Being the last resting peace of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Muslims make sure that they visit Masjid-e-Nabawi and pass blessings on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Apart from Madina, there are many other places you can visit when you have completed your holy journey of Umrah. For example, Cave Hira, Mount Arafat, other mosques such as that of Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Ali are some places you can visit.
