Regulations of Umrah
Umrah is regarded as one of the most esteemed acts of worship that brings a servant closer to their Creator, serving as a means of seeking forgiveness for sins. Due to its significant merit, some scholars have opined that Umrah is a mandatory act for Muslims, based on various authentic hadiths narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). For those intending to perform Umrah, it is essential to observe specific rituals and procedures, which will be outlined sequentially below:
Ihram
Ihram refers to the intention to enter the state of Umrah. It is recommended to verbally declare this intention. For male pilgrims, ihram is characterized by donning a two-piece garment known as the izar and rida, which should not be stitched. In contrast, women do not have a specific dress code but must refrain from wearing a niqab or gloves. It is highly recommended that the clothing be white. Additionally, pilgrims should bathe and apply fragrance before entering ihram, followed by the recitation of the talbiyah. It’s important to note that ihram is not linked to any specific prayer; however, if ihram coincides with the time for a mandatory prayer, it should be preceded by that prayer.
Tawaf
The pilgrim should begin the tawaf by starting at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) and making their way around the Kaaba in a counter-clockwise direction, completing seven circuits in total. It is advisable to touch the Black Stone if possible and to acknowledge the Yemeni corner with a gesture, but there’s no practice of gesturing towards the Syrian corners as this is not from the actions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Additionally, tawaf must be performed in a state of ritual purity, meaning that those who are in a state of minor or major impurity, such as menstruating or postpartum women, are not permitted to perform tawaf. Once the tawaf is completed, it is customary for the pilgrim to offer two rak’ahs behind the Maqam Ibrahim.
Sai between Safa and Marwah
The pilgrim begins the sa’i at Safa and concludes at Marwah, making seven passages in total. While ritual purity is not a strict requirement for performing sa’i, it is preferable to be in a state of purity during this act.
Shaving or Trimming Hair
Shaving the head or trimming hair is a mandatory duty of Umrah. For men, shaving is preferred over trimming, while for women, trimming is the prescribed practice. This ritual signifies the conclusion of the Umrah.
Sunnahs of Umrah
There are several recommended actions associated with each obligation of Umrah. Below are some of the notable practices:
- It is advisable for the pilgrim to trim their nails before entering ihram and to raise their voice in talbiyah after entering the state of ihram for men.
- Men are encouraged during tawaf to practice idtiba by uncovering the right shoulder and to perform ramal, which involves walking briskly during the first three circuits.
- During sa’i, it is recommended for pilgrims to jog between the two green markers.