By Dina Tharwat
What is Umrah?
The Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to
Mecca is the holiest city for Muslims,it is located in Hejaz in Saudi Arabia.
The Umrah can be done at any time of the year, in contrast to the Ḥajj ( الحج in arabic) pilgrimage which has certain dates according to the Islamic lunar calendar.
In accordance to the Shariah (Law of Islam), for both pilgrimages(Hajj & Umrah).
How to do Umrah?
The first thing to do is to assume Ihram. It is a state of purification achieved by completing cleansing rituals, wearing certain attire, and abstaining from certain actions.
This must be done when reaching a Miqat, a principal boundary point in Mecca, like Taneam.
For air travelers, they must observe Ihram once entering a specific perimeter in the city.
Umrah has two key rituals, Tawaf and Sai. Tawaf is circling round the Kaaba 7 times. This is followed by Sa'i between Safa and Marwah in the Great Mosque of Mecca Muslims must walk between the safa and the marwa for 7 times. They perform Sai to commemorate Hagar's search for water for her son and God's mercy in answering prayers.
Pilgrims conclude a partial or complete shortening of the hair called pilgrimage Halq.
Muslims can do Umrah in a few hours, in comparison to Hajj, but both are demonstrations of the solidarity of the Muslims, and their submission to Allah.
What are the Differences between the Hajj and Umrah?
Both of them are Islamic pilgrimages.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for every Muslimat least once in their lifetime. provided by who are physically fit and financially capable of paying for it .
Hajj is performed on certain days during a designated Islamic month. In comparison to Umrah which can be performed at any time.
Types of Umrah
types of Umrah depend on whether or not the pilgrim wishes to perform Umrah in the Hajj period.
thus combining Hajj with Umrah called
when performed alone without continuing to do the Hajj in this case the Umrah is considered mufradah or
Steps to do Umrah
The pilgrim performs a series of ritual acts symbolic of the lives of Ibrahim and his second wife Hajar, and of solidarity with Muslims worldwide.
To do Umrah Pilgrims enter Mecca in a state of Ihram and perform:
Tawaf
Sai
This is a re-enactment of Hajar's search for water.
Her baby Isma'il cried and hit the ground with his foot and water miraculously came out. This source of water is today called the Well of Zamzam.
Taqsir or halq
A halq is shaving the head, usually done for men.
These rituals signify the submission of will to God over glorifying physical appearances. Halq and taqseer are reserved until the end of Umrah. and they complete the Umrah.
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